The extent of integration of fisheries and aquaculture into the food security policies and plans of Kenya were assessed by examining four recent documents and a website. These are:
Documents:
1. United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), 2009-2013; 2. NMTPF, 2009-2013;
3. National Oceans and Fisheries Policy, 2008;
4. The importance of Capture Fisheries in Food Security in Kenya (Global Fish Alliance, 2009);
5. Ministry of Fisheries website (www.fisheries.go.ke).
The UN Development Assistance Framework for Kenya recognizes fisheries as one of the main drivers of the country’s economy, along with tourism, agriculture, water and energy. These sectors employ 80 percent of the population and are dependent on natural resources and the environment, which it states are rapidly deteriorating. Under the outcome ‘Enhanced environmental management for economic growth with equitable access to energy services and response to climate change,’ the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources and marine and coastal resource management are included as part of the major issues and challenges to be addressed. The document acknowledges the government’s commitment to environmental management and sustainable development through new legislation, as well as the development of sector specific policies and strategies in wildlife, coastal and marine resources.
The NMTPF includes specific components related to fisheries and aquaculture. Within the analysis of ‘Opportunities for increasing agricultural productivity and the FAO’s role’, the section dedicated to fisheries development mentions that the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) marine resources’ potential is not fully exploited. It also refers to the acknowledgement in the National Fisheries Policy (NFP) of the contribution of the fishery industry to employment, food supply, income and foreign currency generation. The main constraints for fisheries development referred to by the NMTPF, from the NFP, are: the uncoordinated development approaches; the low investment in infrastructure and equipment; the over-exploitation in some water bodies; the under-utilization of the EEZ and the under-development of aquaculture.
Support for the sustainable development of fisheries resources through small-scale aquaculture and artisanal coastal and inland lake fisheries is included as part of the priority area ‘Sustainable natural resources and environmental management’. The UNDAF has ‘Agriculture productivity and competitiveness among smallholders improved’ as one of the expected outcomes of UN activities in Kenya.
The NMTPF includes an output of increased productivity and value addition of crops, livestock, commercial insects and fisheries. Fishery-specific expected outputs are an improvement in the capacity for value addition, the capability to meet food safety regulations and the diversification of nutrition and livelihood sources for fishing communities; as well as enhanced aquaculture development through technical training, extension and marketing activities. In line with the UNDAF outcome ‘Sustainable management of natural resources and environmental management enhanced’, the NMTPF output can be considered as enhancing support for regulatory reforms and institutions to foster wider exploitation of EEZ’s marine and freshwater resources, as well relating to several outputs concerned with the improvement and enhancement of institutional strength and capabilities under environmental management.
The National Oceans and Fisheries Policy highlights that the government recognizes the critical role of fisheries in food security, employment and general economic benefit. This has resulted in the creation of a Ministry of Fisheries Ministry. The potential of aquaculture to contribute to food security, poverty reduction, employment generation and reduced pressure on capture fisheries resources have also been acknowledged. The overall objective of the policy is to enhance the fisheries sectors’ contribution to wealth creation, employment generation (especially for youth and women), food security and income generation. The policy also focuses on the promotion of fish consumption to increase food security, employment, income and foreign currency gains. One of the specific objectives is to enhance food supply and food security. Another goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in fish and an adequate supply for the domestic market at all times, with an emphasis in the nutritional importance of fish consumption.
The Global Fish Alliance prepared a report on The Importance of Capture Fisheries in
Food Security in Kenya, which presents the contribution of fishery products to food
security by supplying 11 percent of the average daily protein consumption, despite its low consumption levels. It also mentions that most of the fish production is destined for export markets. The contribution of fisheries to the national economy in 2005 was estimated at 27 percent of agricultural GDP, mainly through Lake Victoria fisheries. Employment generated by the fisheries sector, both directly and indirectly, was estimated at nearly one million jobs. The document also refers to the importance given to fisheries in national documents as a way of improving communities’ livelihoods.
The Ministry of Fisheries website presents the following policy priorities and a strategy for poverty reduction:
Policy priorities
Strengthening institutional, policy and legal framework;
Sustainable utilization of fisheries resources;
Sustainable aquaculture development;
Promotion of fish safety and quality assurance, investment, value addition and marketing;
Promotion of regional and international cooperation;
Infrastructure and institutional capacity development;
Promotion and coordination of fisheries research. Poverty reduction strategy
Within the context of poverty alleviation and wealth creation, the policy priorities for fisheries are:
Management, control and utilization of fisheries resources to support economic growth and to provide food security;
Promotion of aquaculture development to increase fisheries resources base;
Management and control of fish marketing systems to reduce post-harvest losses,
assure quality and safety for the consumer, and ensure sustainability of local and export markets;
Promotion of innovative saving schemes for the fishing community and community
Factors to be considered to assess the role of fish in food and nutritional security
Data & time points
Favorable Adverse availableNo data
Total fish production (marine + inland + aquaculture) 2009-2004 Decreasing Total physical availability for consumption [total production +
imports - exports (in live weight)] 2009-2004 Decreasing The 'apparent consumption' of fish per capita 2009-2004 Decreasing Share of small-scale fishers production to the total fish
production 2007 High
Area of land covered by small-scale aquaculture (back yard ponds etc)
Share of industrial fishery catch which is (processed and) sold
locally 2007 Low
Share of fish imported specifically for local consumption
(processed or fresh) 2009 High
Availability of fish marketing infrastructure in urban and rural areas
Availability of ice and cold storage facilities Roads from coast to inland areas
Per-capita income (GDP/pop) 2010-2009 Increasing
General consumer price index 2011-2010 Increasing Fish prices compared to other animal protein prices
Poverty levels and percentage of population below these levels 2005 High
Unemployment levels 2005 High
Access to safe water 2008-2000 Increasing Infant mortality levels 2009-2000 Decreasing Access to sanitation 2010-2000 Increasing
Female literacy 2009-2008 Increasing
Mention of fish in nutrition education/awareness programs and
literature Present
Publicity about fish consumption in mass media (newspaper,
radio, TV, SMS, etc.) Present
Availibility
Accessibility
Utilisation
Stability