Socio-economic prospects and problems in under-exploited offshore marine fisheries: The case of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in Kenya coastal fisheries

Abstract

Existing fishing methods and traditional vessels used by artisanal fishers in Kenya coast confine them to overfished sheltered reef areas and are not efficient enough to harvest a scattered resource. Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) have been proposed as a new technological frontier with better prospects for capture of high valued fish species like tuna, thus improving income to coastal fishers. However, the reception of this technology by artisanal fishers has not been assessed in spite of implementation of various experimental FADs projects in the region. This study provides socio-economics insights with which to view the current status of Kenya’s FADs fishery. Survey data was collected through a combination of questionnaires and participant observations. Results reveal that fishing activities are still undertaken within the shallow protected waters of the barrier reef by artisans who operate small non-mechanized crafts. Fishing time is still relatively high (7hrs/day) even though the most prevalent gear is the traditional basket trap (43%). The modal daily income for fishers averaged at KES 400 (US$3.9). Only 13% of the fishers were adequately aware of FADs, among whom, FAD fishers who had been engaged in previous experimental projects rated FADs as highly effective (72%). The shortcomings of FADs included: increase in theft and vandalism of equipment (50%), attraction of illegal fishers (25%), and fisher–fisher conflicts due to little sensitization. Overall, fishers viewed FADs projects as unsustainable, since the required expertise is scarce while the equipment is expensive. We recommend the need for development of a user-right friendly approach to communal fishing offered by the FADs framework, and the fabrication of these FADs from locally available materials in order to enable fishers and local industry to run and advance the technology.