In this issue• Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Willy Bett

visit to KMFRI• Marine Fisheries Sector contribution to the

Blue Economy• Kingdom of the Netherlands holds workshop in

KMFRI• Over-view of cage culture in L. Victoria• KMFRI publishes book on Aquaculture

Practices for Seed Production

Hon. Willy Bett, the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock

and Fisheries visited Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute(KMFRI) on 27 April 2017. He was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in charge of Kenya Fisheries Service and The Blue Economy Prof. Micheni Ntiba. Hon. Bett and Prof. Ntiba were taken on a guided tour of KMFRI and the new Marine Ocean Services Centre (MOSC). The CS later

CABINET SECRETARY WILLY BETT PAYS COURTESY CALL TO KMFRI HEADQUARTERS

KMFRI NEWSLETTER Vol 1 Issue 2

MARINE FISHERIES SECTOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE BLUE ECONOMY IN KENYA

Blue economy is the optimum and sustainable use of maritime and marine resources for economic growth and social development. It incorporates the main aspects of fisheries and aquaculture, maritime transport, extractive industries, culture, tourism leisure and lifestyle, biotechnology and offshore energy”.The Director of KMFRI Prof. James Njiru hosted a high power delegation comprising of the Chief of Defence Forces of Kenya- General Samson Mwathethe who is also the Chair of Kenya’s Blue Economy Committee, PS Shipping and Maritime Affairs - Mrs Nancy Karigithu, PS Fisheries and the Blue Economy - Prof. Micheni Ntiba and various Directors and Heads of partner agencies of KMFRI. The Institute

welcomed partners to participate in unpacking the concept of the Blue Economy (BE).

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PS KeFS & BE Prof. Ntiba addressing KMFRI staff . On his left is Director KMFRI Prof. Njiru, BE Chairman Gen. Mwatete and PS Maritime Ms Nancy Karigithu

addressed KMFRI staff and informed them that the government is currently exploring marine resources to boost the GDP. “KMFRI will play a critical role in unlocking the Blue Economy resources as we seek to improve food security in the country. More fish-eating campaigns should be conducted to increase fish consumption in the country.”

Group photo of the BE Technical Team, KMFRI staff and KeFS officers outside the Marine Ocean Services Centre

As part of the activities, invited delegates are addressed maritime issues in relation to BE, maritime and shipping, legal issues of the BE, mariculture, fisheries management and progress attained in the development of BE through its implementation Committee since its inception.In September 2016, HE the President accented to the new expanded Fisheries Management and Development Act, which incorporated BE aspects. General Mwathethe was appointed to Chair the BE Committee estsablished through a Presidential Executive Order. The Committee was tasked to create operational plans and the framework to fully develop and sustainably exploit resources of the BE.

The BE committee has so far conceptualised how to enhance the role of fisheries, maritime transport services, the framework for beach management and institutional regulation as well as capacity building strategies.Blue Economomy Opportunities:Shipping and Port Facilities - 80 percent of global trade by volume, and over 70 per cent by value, is carried by sea and handled by ports worldwide. For developing countries, on a national basis, these percentages are typically higher. Coastal countries need to position themselves in terms of facilities and capacities to cater for this growing trade and optimise their benefits. Shipping is the safest, most secure, most efficient and most environmentally sound means of bulk transportation – with declining rates of accidents. Much of these advances have been made possible as a result of IMO’s regulations, industry initiatives and technological developments; by helping

to build technical maritime capacity in developing countries, where some 70%-75% of the world’s merchant fleet is now registered.Fisheries –Fish accounts for 15.7% of the animal protein consumed globally. The value of fish traded by developing countries is estimated at US$ 25 billion making it their largest single trade item. In 2009 marine capture production was 79 million tonnes. The implementation of sound management measures brings the promise of increased sustainable catches, lower energy utilisation and costs; thereby securing livelihoods and enhancing food security. Aquaculture - Aquaculture is the fastest growing global food sector now providing 47% of the fish for human consumption. Fish used for human consumption grew by more than 90 million tonnes in the period 1960-2009 (from 27 to 118 million tonnes) and aquaculture is projected to soon surpass capture fisheries as the primary provider of such protein. Aquaculture offers huge potential for the provision of food and livelihoods, though greater efficiencies in provision of feed to aquaculture need to be realised, including reduced fish protein and oil and increased plant protein content, if the industry is to be sustainable.

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Aquaculture under the Blue Economy will incorporate the value of the natural capital in its development, respecting ecological parameters throughout the cycle of production, creating sustainable, decent employment and offering high value commodities for export.Tourism - Marine and coastal tourism is of key importance to many developing countries. Trends in aging populations, rising incomes and relatively low transport costs will make coastal and ocean locations ever more attractive. Cruise tourism is the fastest growing sector in the leisure travel industry. The tourism consumer, however, is driving the transformation of the sector with a 20% annual growth rate in ecotourism; about 6 time the rate of growth of the overall industry. Higher education courses need to deliver a solid grounding in the specific skills needed to maintain and increase market share in a discerning and competitive global market.Energy -In 2009 offshore fields accounted for 32% of worldwide crude oil production and this is projected to rise to 34% in 2025 and higher subsequently, as almost half the remaining recoverable conventional oil is estimated to be in offshore fields - a quarter of that in deep water. Deep water oil drilling is not new, but market pressures are making the exploration for and tapping of evermore remote reserves cost effective, bringing the most isolated areas under consideration. Oil will remain

the dominant energy source for many decades to come but the Ocean offers enormous potential for the generation of renewable energy – wind, wave, tidal, biomass, thermal conversion and salinity gradients. Of these Biotechnology - Marine biotech has the potential to address a suite of global challenges such as sustainable food supplies, human health, energy security and environmental remediation. Marine bacteria are a rich source of potential drugs. In 2011 there were over 36 marine derived drugs in clinical development, including 15 for the treatment of cancer. One area where marine biotech may make a critical contribution is the development of new antibiotics. The potential scope is enormous, by 2006 more than 14,000 novel chemicals had been identified by marine bioprospecting and 300 patents registered on marine natural products. The unexplored and understudied nature of much of the underwater world means that the capacity of marine

organisms other than fish and shellfish to provide inputs to the blue economy is only just beginning to be appreciated, partly through new gene sequencing technologies for living organisms. There have already been successes. The anti-viral drugs Zovirax and Acyclovir were obtained from nucleosides isolated from

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Caribbean sponges. Yondelis, developed from small soft-bodied marine animals was the first drug of marine origin to fight cancer. In the very short term, the sector is expected to emerge as a niche market focused on high-value products for the health, cosmetic and industrial biomaterials sectors. By 2020, it could grow as a medium-sized market, expanding towards the production of metabolites and primary compounds (lipids, sugars, polymers, proteins) as inputs for the food, feed and chemical industries. In a third stage, around 20 years from now and subject to technological breakthroughs, the blue biotechnology sector could become a provider of mass-market products, together with a range of

high added value specialised products. Accelerating this process will require a combination of basic research on ocean life and applied research on possible industrial applications with low probabilities but high rewards for success.

Submarine mining -The world is gearing up for the exploration and exploitation of mineral deposits on and beneath the sea floor. Industry, due to rising commodity prices, is turning its attention to the potential riches of polymetallic nodules, cobalt crusts and massive sulphide deposits; the latter a source of rare earth elements, such as yttrium, dysprosium and terbium, important in new ICT hardware and renewable energy technologies. Commercial interest is

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particularly strong in polymetallic nodules and in seafloor massive sulphides. The International Seabed Authority has developed the Mining Code regulations to meet these changing circumstances and has commenced issuing licenses for the exploration of the international sea floor. Coastal countries need to prepare themselves to ensure they realise optimal benefits from resources in their own EEZs and likewise that their concerns are incorporated into the measures to manage the coming race for the riches of the seabed. The exploitation and mining of minerals, other than sand and gravel, from the sea have just started. By 2020, 5% of the world’s minerals, including cobalt, copper and zinc could come from the ocean floors. This could rise to 10% by 2030. Global annual turnover of marine mineral mining can be expected to grow from virtually nothing to €5 billion in the next 10 years and up to €10 billion by 2030.Governance - Each sovereign country is responsible for its own resources and sustainable development. Whether it be with regard to updating and advancing governance mechanisms to ensure the sustainable development of waters beyond national jurisdiction

continued to page 8

National Assembly of Kenya

Pictorial News

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Left: Hon. Willy Bett signs the visitors book in Director KMFRI’s office. Right: Hon Bett plants a tree in KMFRI reception square

Prof. Ntiba (left with spade) and Prof. Njiru (right with spade) plant trees at the reception squire. Assisting them is Dr Kairo, Center Director, KMFRI Shimoni station.

Left: Dr Jackquiline Uku takes Hon. Willy Bett on a guided tour of MOSC building. Rigt: The Cabinet Secretary with poses for a group photo with KMFRI management and staff.

Pictorial News

Director KMFRI Prof. James Njiru(left) signing performance contract with BOM Chairman Prof. Peninah Aloo Obudho(right). Looking on is BOM member Mr. Mwendwa Guantai.

Left:Hon Willy Betty (with blue shirt), Prof. Micheni Ntiba and Prof. James Njiru on a guided tour of the KMFRI laboratories.Right: Prof. Njiru addresses the KCDP World Bank Mission participants.

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Left: Cross-section of KMFRI staff during the CS visit. Right: Hon. Willy Bett together with Prof. Ntiba on a guided tour of KMFRI laboratories

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For comments and contributions

Send to the editor:

Email: kmfrieditorial@kmfri.co.ke

: kmfricorporateaffairs@gmail.com

(e.g. maritime security, high seas MPAs, sustainable fisheries, oil and mineral extraction) or assistance in enabling the effective management and utilisation of national EEZs (e.g. technology transfer, technical assistance, marine spatial planning), capacity building, finance to support national marine spatial planning and effective monitoring, control and surveillance). A key component of international cooperation for the Blue Economy approach is Research. A science-based approach is essential to the development of the Blue Economy; commencing with the initial assessment and critically the valuation of the blue capital at our disposal. This will provide a basis for informed decision-making and adaptive management. This major undertaking must be addressed and continually refined and upgraded in line with changing circumstances, evolving technologies and our increasing understanding; or the Blue Economy approach will founder. This underlines the importance of technical assistance, technology transfer and capacity building to the pursuit of sustainable development.

continued to page 5

It is envisaged that through linkages with BE, some of the successful outcomes from KCDP in capacity building for the local youth will be enhanced and mariculture activities such as seaweed farming in Shimoni will be scaled to commercial level.

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In 2014, the Netherlands organized the Global Oceans Action Summit for

Food Security and Blue Growth. The Embassies of the Netherlands in Kenya and Tanzania strongly believe that the Netherlands can contribute to unlocking the potential of both countries in food security. Therefore, the Netherlands is interested in further developing the marine fisheries sector. In the context of food security, the sustainable development of marine resources can contribute to more diverse and nutritious diets, in addition to creating new business opportunities.

The workshop which was opened by KMFRI Deputy Director Marine and Coastal Systems Dr. Renison Ruwa brings together a broad range of stakeholders and is aimed at sharing knowledge about the marine fisheries sector in Kenya, accumulated through research, policy and practice. The meeting is being attended by senior research officer from KMFRI, SDF and other stakeholders from the region. The delegation from Netherlands is led by Ms. Isabelle Vreeke.

The workshop focus on the following:•Forum of discussion on the preliminary findings and analysis of the study•Experiences in the marine fisheries sector in Kenya•The National Masterplan for Fisheries•Opportunities for regional cooperation in managing fisheries

The leading Dutch Marine Research Institute of Wageningen University and Research centre (WUR) is conducting a study into the potential of Kenya’s and Tanzania’s marine fisheries sectors, at the request of the Embassy of the Netherlands in both countries. The objective of the study is to identify opportunities for Dutch investors, suppliers and partners in the marine fisheries value chain. Part of the study is a multi-stakeholder workshop to share and fine tune preliminary results of the mission.

The desired outcome is an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the marine fisheries sector in Kenya.

KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS HOSTS WORKSHOP ON MARINE FISHERIES IN KENYA MARINE AND FISHERIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Crosssection of participants during the workshop The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya is hosted a workshop on Marine Fisheries in Kenya on 3rd February 2017 at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) in Mombasa.

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Over-view of cage culture in Lake Victoria, Kenya

While natural fish stocks in Lake Victoria are declining from

overfishing among other factors, demand for fish protein has been on a gradual increase as a result of rapid human population growth and awareness of benefits of eating fish (FAO 2016). Aquaculture is viewed as an alternative to reducing the widening gap between fish demand and its supply. Sustainable development of aquaculture necessitates consideration of net social, environmental, and economic costs for local communities, as well as fisheries health. The contribution of sub-Saharan Africa to total global aquaculture productions relies mostly on the culture of tilapia (Kaliba et al., 2007). Global tilapia aquaculture production volumes have escalated in recent decades, increasing from 28,000 tons in 1970 to 1.2 million tons in 2000, more than 2.5 million tons in 2007, and reaching 4.5 million tons in 2012 (FAO, 2014). In Kenya, tilapia capture production stands at 28,890 mt while culture stands at 18,072 mt (FAO, 2014). With dwindling stocks in Lake Victoria (Standard Newspaper,

2016), new opportunities for investment under “The Blue Economy” concept and the potential return promised by cage culture, this new industry could help supplement capture production. Fish cage culture dates back many centuries in China (Bao–Tong, 1994). Recently, this practice has expanded throughout the world because of its advantages. Cage farming has many advantages over other methods of fish culture, including: very high production per unit volume of water; relatively low investment per unit of production; the anticipated high profitability levels; the use of existing water bodies thus reducing the pressure on land; the requirements of relatively low capital outlay; the ease of movement and relocation; the reduced effect of drought on production in relation to the availability of water; and the flexibility of management (EL-Sayed, 2006; De Silva and Phillips, 2007). In most African countries, cage farming seems to be a new technology (FAO, 2004). In East Africa to some extent, cage farming of Nile tilapia has been practiced for a while now by the Source of the Nile (S.O.N), a private company

Cages in Lake Victoria

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Development Authority (LBDA) in 1988 at Dunga beach in Kisumu (Guda, pers. comm.). In 2007, an EU funded cage culture project “BOMOSA” conducted trials on cage culture in small water bodies in Lake Victoria Basin. Cage culture attempts in Lake Victoria have also been done in Dunga and Obenge beaches by the Fisheries Cooperative Societies under the Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Kisumu and Siaya Counties, respectively, during 2008 and 2011-2013. This initiative was under the support of Association for Strengthening Agriculture Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA) project that involved mapping of cage culture suitability sites. Cages are now spread across the five riparian counties along the Kenyan side of Lake Victoria. The cage culture industry is now gaining ground at a faster pace in the lake, and in the face of isolated cases of fish kills in cages (KMFRI, 2016), there is need to develop baseline data to help in decision-making.It is envisaged that cage culture may reduce poverty, provide food and boost income of the fishers, while reducing pressure on capture fisheries. Contribution from cage culture is anticipated to make inputs to the national and regional economies within the East Africa Community (EAC). Other benefits to be realized include industrial linkages involving sectors such as manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, construction, transportation, and business services along the value chain. Therefore, it is vital to understand the status of cage culture for possible decision-making by the managers of the lake and fishery to ensure viability and sustainability.

based in Uganda. The profitability of cage culture depends, among other things, on which species is cultured, management level, input costs, and market prices. With the availability of scant data on cage culture operations, it is critical to evaluate robust tools with which to collect data on profitability across diverse environmental and socioeconomic scenarios.Generally, cage farming may have negative environmental consequences. The possible consequences associated with cage culture include discharge of particulate and dissolved nutrients through uneaten waste feed, fecal matter, and excretory products (Masser, 2008). Such consequences may negatively impact the environment by causing anoxic conditions in sediments (due to organic enrichments) underlying the cages, thus changing invertebrate abundance and composition (Ngupula and Kayanda, 2010). Cage culture may cause eutrophication from nutrient enrichment of the water column (Ngupula et al., 2012). Farmed fish may escape and interact with other fish in the wild resulting into spread of diseases and parasites. All these may result in ecological simplicity, decrease in genetic diversity (due to genetic dilution), and increased mortality of the wild stocks. These impacts can, in turn, decrease local catch of wild fish, creating a conflict between cage culture and fishermen. Cage culture may also raise lake-use conflicts with fishers and boat transporters caused by increased demand of shared lake-space. Cage culture in Lake Victoria dates back to 2005 when Dominion Farm Limited successfully harvested fish from cages constructed within their farm. Earlier trials had been undertaken by Lake Basin

KENYA MARINE FISHERIES RESEARCH INSTITUTEP.O. Box 81651-80100, Mombasa, Kenya,

Telephone: +254-(0)20 8021561,+254–(0)41-4475154Website: www.kmfri.co.ke

KMFRI Publishes a Book on

Aquaculture Practices for Seed

Production

The aquaculture subsector in Kenya continues its steady growth trend, therefore it is necessary

to ensure that it is supported by favorable, attractive and profitable marketing enterprises. The need to develop superior farmed fish products niche is therefore inevitable. This is possible through the development of value addition technologies for aquaculture products that meet consumer preferences and needs. To respond to these demands, KMFRI scientists and technicians have developed innovative fish preservation and value addition technologies to reduce post-harvest losses, increase shelf life and diversify product range to satisfy consumer preferences. This recipe book lays a firm foundation for promoting fish preservation and value-addition technologies. Its aim is to make these innovations readily available to prospective and practicing fish farmers, processors, traders, vendors, consumers and researchers in product development to achieve

their specific needs.

The “Good Aquaculture Practices for Seed Production in Kenya” guidelines published in 2017 is the first guideline designed to help prospective and practicing hatchery managers and fish farmers to realize better production. It can be used as a source of important information to various stakeholders in aquaculture including researchers, lecturers, students and aquaculture business enterprises. It will also help government agencies to ensure high quality of standard operating procedures and products.

Good husbandry is required to maintain the momentum of the renewed interest in aquaculture in Kenya and the region. The guidelines herein will form a good basis for farmers to easily acquire information on the best practices in the industry. These guidelines are consistent with relevant international codes of practice and guidelines and have been developed based on the best scientific evidence available to enable Tilapia and Catfish hatcheries apply techniques that are economically and environmentally sustainable.

The book goes for Ksh 750.00 (Seven Hundred and Fifty Shilling), to make an order, contact:Ms. Mary Opiyo or Mr. Kevin ObieroKenya Marine and Fisheries Research InstituteSagana Aquaculture Research CentreP.O Box 451-10230Sagana, KENYAEmail: saganacentre@kmfri.co.ke or kmfrinardtc@gmail.comMobile: +254 719 404 590.Copies are also available at KMFRI Nairobi Liaison Office based at the National Museums of Kenya. Tel: +254 (020) 3746659.