Socio-economic Aspects of Fisheries Management in Lake Naivasha

Abstract

A survey on Lake Naivasha identified and delineated critical breeding and nursery areas for fish which were to be protected in order to assist in the recovery of its fish stocks. Crescent Island, Oserian Bay, the river Malewa mouth and Kamere and its wetlands were identified as critical areas. A questionnaire revealed that most fishermen come from the Rift Valley and Nyanza provinces with a mean age of 36 years. Most boats operating on the lake are about 23.5 m in length and are each limited to a maximum of 10 gill nets of 112 mm (4.5 inches) mesh size. Most fishermen indicated that they know of others using illegal fishing gears. Regular patrols were identified as important (52%) and suggested that buoys be placed in the delineated areas. Respondents suggested that awareness be created to the people who depend directly on the fisheries and an all-inclusive patrol by all stakeholders including Fisheries Department and the Kenya Wildlife Services to enforce laws was recommended.

Key words: Lake Naivasha, species change, critical areas, stakeholder opinions, fishery management.