The establishment of a pilot brackishwater fish farm along the coast of Kenya was recommended after a reconnaissance survey was conducted by an aquaculture mission sponsored by the Indian Ocean Programme (IOP) and the Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme (ADCP) in April-May 1976. This farm is to test the technical and economic viability of brackishwater aquaculture in this part of East Africa. If successful, the farm will serve as a demonstration and training centre for Kenya and its neighbouring countries.
A more detailed survey was later organized to select a suitable site, design the pilot farm and outline its mode of operation. An aquaculturist from the ADCP, with assistance from local counterparts from the Kenyan Fisheries Department, conducted the survey from February to March 1977 and recommended a 50-ha site in the Dabasso area, about 16 km south of Malindi.
Accordingly, upon the Government of Kenya's (GOK) request, a project document for the establishment of the pilot farm was drawn up with the following immediate objectives:
to carry out a systematic survey to determine the availability and seasonal variations of juveniles of species proposed for culture trials;
to determine suitable combination of species for large-scale fish farming and evaluate production from trials;
to test the technical and economic viability of coastal fish farming to provide the basis for large-scale production;
to sponsor and assist in the training of Fisheries Department staff in all aspects of coastal fish farming;
to foster the development of fish farming in close collaboration with the Fisheries Department by providing technical information to private parties interested in developing fish farms.
The project would run for three years, seven months, for which UNDP contributed US$ 462 000 for expatriate staff, training, equipment and miscellaneous expenses. GOK, on the other hand, would provide the land, development, operation and maintenance costs, for which the budgetary requirement, exclusive of personnel emoluments and staff allowances would reach K.£ 74 100, equivalent to K.Sh. 1 482 0001.
Work implementation started in June 1978. At the proposed site, more detailed surveys (area, topography and soil) were conducted and small test ponds were constructed to determine permeability after soil conditions were found to be marginal (sandy with stone boulders inside the area). With these observations a search for a better area was simultaneously made.
As expected, results from the test ponds showed high water loss. Consequently it was recommended that the site be transferred to Ngomeni, about 24 km north of Malindi, where features appeared to be much better. GOK agreed to this. (In the ADCP Aquaculturist's report, Ngomeni was one of the sites rated rated very favourable for aquafarming, except for possibly high construction cost.) Activities were transferred to Ngomeni after the site was selected and made available.
1 As of June. 1981 K.Sh. 1 900 000 had already been spent
From 17 August to 10 September 1981, the writer was assigned to assist in the practical aspects of shrimp farming at the UNDP/FAO Brackishwater Aquaculture Project (KEN/77/014) in Malindi. Noting conditions at the site, however, he has included in this report additional observations and recommendations for speeding up construction work and such other activities as would enable the project to accomplish its objectives within a reasonable period. He also conferred with Fisheries Department Officials, particularly the Officer-in-Charge of the office in Malindi, the Assistant Director for the Coast at Mombasa and the Director himself at Nairobi, bringing to their attention problems at the farm, with particular emphasis on the slow pace of construction and suggesting measures that could hasten up the process.
