Kenya is on course to secure 10 billion shillings grant from the World Bank to develop fisheries sector at the coast and harness opportunities in the blue economy.
100 fishermen from Kwale County have become the latest beneficiaries of a training programme which has equipped them with modern techniques to venture into deep-sea fishing.
Fisheries Principal Secretary Prof. Michemi Ntiba says the grant is also expected to fund purchase of modern fishing gear.
The gross marine product of the western Indian Ocean is valued at over 2.5 trillion shillings with Kenya’s share estimated at slightly over 450 billion shillings.
Get breaking news on your Mobile as-it-happens. SMS ‘NEWS’ to 20153
Tourism sector takes the lion’s share of the revenue. To diversify its blue economy earnings Kenya is finalizing agreement with the World Bank to access the 10 billion shillings grant.
The money is expected to help train farmers on how to maximize opportunities in mariculture.
With Kenya constantly keen to fend off illegal deep sea fishermen depleting fish stock in Kenya’s water territories, equipping local fishermen with technical skills to venture into deep-sea fishing is expected to curtail the vice according to Prof. Ntiba.
Ntiba says local fishermen will also undergo training on marine law and modern fishing practices for sustainable fishing.
The World Bank grant is in addition to the 2.5 billion shillings grant the European Union gave the coastal counties to develop blue economy infrastructure in the region.
100 fishermen from Lamu ,Tanariver, Mombasa and Kwale will receive the trainings with a state of the art Mariculture centre built in Kwale County to support sea farming.
Tell Us What You Think
Related reporting
More Tech →