FI:DP/KEN/80/006 Field Document 1 June 1982

A report prepared for the
Fisheries Development Programme in the Lake
Basin Region Project

by

This informal report is one of a series of reports prepared during the course of the project identified on the title page. The conclusions and recommendations given in the report are those considered appropriate at the time of its preparation. They may be modified in the light of further knowledge gained at subsequent stages of the project.

The designations employed and the presentation of the materials in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations or the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers.

ABSTRACT

The Lake Victoria Basin, mostly made of the Western and Nyanza Provinces, covers only 8.4% of Kenya's territory but contains more than 40% of the total population. Land availability is small and rural holdings with a low income and little assets are prevalent. Average fish consumption provides only 68% of the daily fish protein requirements, but it is projected that by the year 2 000, such average fish availability will require a 41 000 t production.

The public sector of aquaculture is characterized by a lack of adequately trained personnel, positive demonstrations and effective extension services. The private sector essentially consists of small rural ponds, numbering about 3 000 or 35% of those recorded ten years ago. Average production is low, the total annual production of farmed fish being estimated to be about 45 t. Four fish farming zones are defined on the basis of prevalent air temperatures. Only the two warmer zones are suitable for tilapia culture.

Past failures of fish farming development may be explained by the lack of trained personnel and limited mobility, hampering the technical support. Foreign assistance is actually limited to the World Bank Project and to direct extension work by young volunteers. Short-term and medium-term fish culture development programmes are proposed with the main objective of creating an effective extension service.

The Kenyan Lake Victoria capture fishery is briefly reviewed. Its yield was estimated in 1981 to reach close to 46 000 t, most likely near the maximum sustainable yield at least without further major changes in the fish species composition. The Nile perch dominates the catch and the introduced tilapia species have displaced the endemic ones, T. nilotica becoming dominant. The significance of the catch data is doubtful and the actual statistical system should be critically reviewed. A World Bank Project concentrates on the improvement of product quality and reduction of post-harvest losses.

It is proposed that immediate assistance be provided for the development of small-scale fish farming in the Lake Basin. Two project proposals are presented. The first one provides for the basic training of extension staff in 1983. The second one establishes the extension service and implements with it a programme particularly aimed at rehabilitating existing ponds on a selective basis and at promoting fish farming in established communities such as primary schools.

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

A. Measurements

B. Acronyms

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 1982

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE LAKE BASIN FISHERY DEVELOPMENT

1. INTRODUCTION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1.1 Origin of the mission
1.2 Objectives of the mission
1.3 Organization of the mission
1.4 Acknowledgements

2. GENERAL BACKGROUND

2.1 Physical background
2.2 Climatological background
2.3 Major inland water resources
2.4 Demographic background
2.5 Agricultural development
2.6 Nutritional background
2.7 Fish marketing
2.8 National food policy and development plan
2.9 Fisheries development organization

3. AQUACULTURE: STATUS AND DEVELOPMENT

3.1 Status of aquaculture in Kenya
3.2 Status of aquaculture in the Lake Basin
3.3 Fish culture development with particular reference to the Lake Basin
3.4 Potential for future aquaculture development
3.5 Conclusions and recommendations for aquaculture development in the Lake Basin

4. CAPTURE FISHERIES: STATUS AND DEVELOPMENT

4.1 Status of the capture fisheries in Kenya
4.2 Status of the marine capture fishery
4.3 Status of the freshwater capture fisheries, except Lake Victoria
4.4 Status of the Lake Victoria fishery
4.5 Development of capture fisheries
4.6 Recommendations for future fishery development in the Lake Basin

5. IDENTIFIED NEEDS FOR FUTURE ASSISTANCE FOR FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT IN THE LAKE BASIN

5.1 Further assistance for capture fisheries development
5.2 Further assistance for fish farming development
5.3 Priorities for future development assistance
5.4 Proposals for the implementation of the fish farming assistance project

ANNEXES

1. Terms of reference of the mission - KEN/80/006
2. Itinerary of the mission
3. Senior people met by mission members
4. Lake Basin meteorological stations
5. Draft project for the training of extension personnel for rural fish farming development in the Lake Basin
6. United Nations Development Programme/Government of Kenya
7. List of references consulted by the mission

LIST OF TABLES

1. Air temperature in the altitude zones of the Lake Basin
2. River catchments and their development in the Lake Basin
3. Major irrigation schemes in Kenya
4. Estimated population and fish availability in Kenya, 1971–81
5. Estimated population and land availability in the Lake Basin, 1969–99
6. Land availability and land use, 1976
7. Types of agricultural development in the Lake Basin, 1974–75
8. Fish production requirements in Kenya and in the Lake Basin development areas
9. Fish yields in the major freshwater capture fisheries and estimated maximum sustainable yield
10. Total annual fish catch and value to the fishermen of fish landed from all Kenyan waters, Lake Victoria and fish ponds, 1971–1981
11. Fish availability for consumption in the Lake Basin development area, 1981
12. Protein cost index for selected commodities, 1980
13. Tilapia customers size preference and retail value at Lake Victoria selected landing beaches
14. Nile perch customers size preference and retail value at Dunga landing beach
15. Imports and exports of fishery products in Kenya, 1971–80
16. Past and present assistance projects for the development of Kenyan fisheries
17. Large-scale fish farms in Kenya
18. Characteristics of the potential fish farming zones in Kenya
19. Fisheries Department staff in the Nyanza and Western Provinces on 31 December 1981
20. Distribution of fish ponds in the Nyanza and Western Provinces
21. Exotic fish species introduced into Kenya
22. Fish production statistics, Kakamega District, Western Province, 1979–82
23. Survey of Peace Corps volunteers on fish farming extension
24. Average 400 m² pond cost in the Nyanza Province based on DDC Projects
25. Estimated cost breakdown of fish pond construction in Bungoma
26. Construction cost of fish ponds based on DDC and Ministry of Finance grants/loans, 1980–82
27. Mean fish catch per canoe (CPC) and per fisherman (CPF) in Lake Victoria
28. Annual landing and proportional representation of the seven major species of fish caught in Lake Victoria
29. Lake Victoria Fishing Cooperatives: landing beaches, number of fishermen and canoes
30. Species composition of catch at various landing beaches at Lake Victoria, 1981
31. Species composition of the tilapia catch, 1971–81
32. List of the tilapia species introduced into Lake Victoria and its catchment waters
33. A check list of some of the diagnostic features of the tilapia species likely to be found in the Lake Victoria catchment area
34. Predator/prey relationship in Lake Victoria fish catch, 1971–81
35. Processing and local consumption of the Lake Victoria fish catch 1971–81
36. Processing and local consumption of the fish catch at selected landing beaches, Lake Victoria, 1978–81
37. Catch data collected at the Fisheries Department sample beaches, Lake Victoria, 1978–81

LIST OF FIGURES

1. Kenya: Major drainage basins and their water resources, irrigation schemes and highly populated areas
2. The Lake Basin: Administrative divisions and sites for the proposed DOF/World Bank fishing centres and Fish Farming Development Centre
3. Lake Basin: Altitude zones, meteorological stations, major water resources and development projects
4. Distribution of the annual rainfall in the Lake Basin
5. Mean monthly rainfall in selected stations
6. Ranges of monthly air temperatures in four altitude zones of the Lake Basin
7. Approximate thermal zonation in the Lake Basin
8. Kaimosi Tea Estate: seasonal variation of water temperature in the river and in the rearing ponds
9. Population density in the various provinces, 1969 and 1979
10. Average size of rural family holdings
11. Rural family holdings: distance to fresh water (1974–1975)
12. Kenya Department of Fisheries - Organization Chart in 1982
13. Maximum potential yield of pond cultured tilapias according to altitude
14. Potential fish farming zones in Kenya
15. Evolution of the construction cost of fish ponds in the Nyanza Province
16. Priority areas for fish farming development in the Lake Basin
17. Fish farming development in the Lake Basin: proposed schedule for implementation
18. Annual landings and species composition, Lake Victoria 1971–81
19. Lake Victoria: average catch per canoe and per fisherman, 1971–81
20. Species composition of the catch at various landing beaches Lake Victoria
21. Tilapia catch and its species composition, Lake Victoria 1971–81
22. Predator-prey relationship in annual fish catch, Lake Victoria 1971–81
23. Fate of the total fish catch, Lake Victoria 1971–81
24. Fish processing and local consumption at various landing beaches, Lake Victoria
25. The wholesale value of fish to fishermen and fish farmers, 1971–81
26. Wholesale and retail fish prices, 1971–81

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE LAKE BASIN FISHERY DEVELOPMENT

1. A short-term FAO mission has been financed by UNDP to better define the inputs required in the fishery development sector of the Lake Victoria Basin for UNDP to avoid duplication of other external aid. This mission took place in April - May 1982, in close collaboration with the FAO Representative (Kenya) and the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) in Kisumu. Consultations were also held with the Department of Fisheries.

General background

2. The Lake Basin, mostly made of the Western and the Nyanza Provinces, covers only 8.4% of Kenya's territory. Within this small drainage basin, altitude varies from 1 133 m to more than 3 000 m and the air temperatures decrease proportionally. Rainfall is generally well spread over the year.

3. The Lake Basin contains more than 40% of the Kenyan population, the average density being close to 215 inh./km². The greatest densities are found in the districts of Kisii, Kisumu and Kakamega, but it is predicted that future population growth rates will be the highest in the Busia and Bungoma Districts.

4. It is also in the Kakamega and Kisii Districts that land availability is the smallest. Projections show that, in the Lake Basin in general, it will only average 0.32 ha/inh. in 1989. Small rural holdings with a low income and little assets are prevalent, a great majority of them being located, all year around, less than 1.6 km away from fresh water.

5. Average fish consumption in the Lake Basin was 6.5 kg/inh.yr which provides only 68% of the daily fish protein requirements. But by the year 2 000, local fish availability will have to reach at least 41 000 t to provide 50% DFPR to the local population.

6. In Kenya, freshwater fish contribute about 90% of the national fish production. New record catches have been landed from Lake Victoria during the last three years. It is estimated that half of the lake's production is consumed within the lake basin, its fish availability amounting in 1981 to about 24 500 t. Fish still remains one of the cheapest source of protein. Following the decline of Tilapia esculenta from the catch, other tilapia species have been accepted in replacement and they remain the most expensive of all marketed fish. Demand tends to be greatest for fresh fish.

Lake Basin Aquaculture

7. The public sector of aquaculture is represented in the Lake Basin by the Department of Fisheries/Western and, since recently, by LBDA. It is characterized by a general lack of adequately trained personnel, positive demonstrations, and effective extension services. The private sector is largely made of small rural ponds. It is estimated that about 3 000 of these ponds presently exist, which represents only 35% of those recorded about 10 years ago. Average fish production is low and total production of the Lake Basin does not exceed 45 t annually.

8. On the basis of the annual mean minimum air temperature, four fish farming zones may be defined in the Lake Basin. Only two of these zones present water temperature conditions which are suitable for the culture of tilapia as a priority species. In the cooler zones, common carp would be more suitable.

9. Several reasons may explain the past failures of fish farming development. The major one is the lack of trained personnel and limited mobility, which greatly reduces extension effectiveness. Money has been available from public funds, but its effective use has been greatly impaired both by the lack of an adequate technical support and the absence of sound development criteria for project selection.

10. In the Lake Basin, foreign assistance for aquaculture development is actually limited to the World Bank Project (establishment of a Fish Culture Development Centre) and to direct extension work by young volunteers in selected rural areas.

11. The potential for further development of large-scale pond culture in the Lake Basin appears to be limited due to restricted land availability. Small-scale pond culture, particularly in existing ponds, has a greater potential, especially if its economic feasibility may be demonstrated to the rural farmers. Other cultural systems - those integrating agriculture/animal husbandry in particular - should also be considered in the future.

12. A short-term development programme for the Lake Basin is proposed, giving priority to rural small-scale fish culture based on a two-phase rehabilitation of at least 50% of the existing ponds, on the improvement of selected Government and community ponds as focal points. Priority areas are suggested taking into account both their climatic conditions and the relative availability of lake fish. The creation of an effective fish farming extension service is the prerequisite condition for success.

13. A medium-term development programme for the Lake Basin is then given, to be initiated in 1987 with feasibility studies/pilot scale projects integrating fish and irrigated rice productions in the West Kano scheme, in close collaboration with the newly built Fish Farming Development Centre. Carp culture should be initiated in the cooler areas of the Lake Basin, the extension service being expanded accordingly.

Lake Victoria capture fishery

14. In the last 10 years, the fish catch from Lake Victoria (Kenya) has tripled, reaching nearly 46 000 t in 1981. Most of this increase has taken place recently due to the dramatic rise in Nile perch catches. This species now contributes up to 60% of the total catch. Tilapias catches have not decreased, on the contrary, but T. esculenta has been displaced by introduced tilapias among which T. nilotica has become dominant.

15. The significance of the statistical catch data as actually collected for Lake Victoria is very doubtful. Assistance to study the existing statistical systems in 3 riparian countries and to harmonize them has been requested to FAO at the recent CIFA Sub-Committee meeting for the Development and Management of the Fisheries of Lake Victoria.

16. Foreign assistance for the Lake Victoria fishery development is being provided by the World Bank to the Department of Fisheries. It concentrates on the amelioration of the processing/marketing infrastructure to improve product quality and to reduce post-harvest losses. It is most likely that the present annual fish yield of the lake is near the amount which can be biologically sustained, at least without further major changes in the fish species composition.

17. It is difficult to justify the actual programme which attempts to improve the tilapia fishery in Lake Victoria by stocking fingerlings. Such programme should be treated as a pilot project and carefully monitored. Other management actions, such as the protection/improvement of the tilapia breeding ponds, might be more appropriate.

18. Future improvement of the capture fisheries should rather rely on sound statistical systems for catch and stock assessments, on effective law enforcement, on an adequate extension service (separated from law enforcement), on some selected biological studies, and on environmental conservation. Regional collaboration among the riparian countries will also be essential.

Further Assistance for Fishery Development

19. As a first priority, it is felt that immediate assistance should be provided for the development of rural small-scale fish farming in the Lake Basin. It would not only assist the Government to resolve the urgent problem of improving the nutritional and socio-economic conditions in densely populated districts, but it would also pave the way for similar rural developments in other regions of the country. It should further act as a development catalyst, coordinating the various foreign assistances interested in such achievements.

20. Because of UNDP financial constraints in 1983-84, it is proposed that the initial development phase be financed by another donor, to enable the basic training of the extension staff from January to September 1983. This would be immediately followed by the UNDP assistance (Oct. 1983 - Dec. 1986), the funds saved in 1983 enabling the project to be fully operational in 1984 in spite of financial constraints. On these bases, two assistance proposals have been drafted and annexed to the mission report.