The Kenya Fish Processors and Exporters Association has partnered with European Union so as to boost fish farming in the coastal region.
Addressing the press yesterday morning during a fisheries stakeholders forum, the executive secretary of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries Anthony Njaramba said they are planning to boost fish farming through providing motorboats to fish farmers.
“With increased production of fish, the cost of fish will go down and the demand will be high since it will be affordable for the locals around the coast,” he said.
He added that fish farming will be boosted through opening of several ports which will increase the import and export of fish in the country and beyond.
“Fishermen are facing a challenge of not being able to reach the deep seas due to lack of resources hence we will provide them with motorboats and fishing net so that they can get access to the deep sea and have more production,” Anthony said.
Director of Fisheries Resource Development and Marketing, Harrison Karisa, said that there is a construction of a fish depot in Mtwapa which will provide market infrastructure.
He said that they have had a partnership with EU but the main challenge remains the issue of production of the fish to enable exportation to the European countries so as to increase production, the main focus is to go to the deep sea.
“Provision of motor boats and fishing nets to the fishermen will increase job opportunities and also improve the fish industry hence boosting the economy,” said Harrison.
He said that to improve the industry, they plan to create more depots and also provide the the fishermen with storage facilities to store the fish.
2014 The Star