Fish farming has become an age old practice in many Asian countries and in parts of Africa. Notable concerns have been raised which refer to the declining marine fish stocks; as well as the few fish catches/ landings that have been recorded in most landing sites. This has been attributed to over-reliance on the capture fisheries, low investment in the sector and environmental degradation among others. To fill the gap in fish landings, aquaculture has been widely seen as one of the viable options to fish supplies
In Kenya the practice started in early 80’s with fish farming being done in rice paddies and some brackish water. Most cultured species have been the tilapia, trout and catfish. In some parts of the country, fish farming has been done alongside other farm animals like pigs, cattle and poultry. In the Kenyan coast the practice has been lowly undertaken in a few counties among them Taita-Taveta and Tana Delta Counties and parts of the larger Kwale County.
There lies therefore the need to assist community members with interest in aquaculture to undertake the enterprise through establishment of fish farming demonstration centres. The centres will act as community learning centres which will catalyse the development of fish farming among the community.
The following were the training objectives
- Equip the community and fish farmers with adequate knowledge and skills to be able to profitably undertake the venture;
- To make the community appreciate fish farming as an alternative economic activity.
The following were some of the expectations raised by the participants during the training in Taita-Taveta County:
- To learn how to keep and raise fish;
- To get knowledge on fish farming;
- To be able to understand the requirements for farming fish;
- To know the best types of fish that are marketable for fish farming;
- To know the profit involved in fish farming;
- To be able to know where the source of funding will come from for those interested to undertake fish farming;
- To know and learn what other members of the community know about fish farming;
- To make friends.
Achievements
- 57 fish farmers were trained in the area with the participant composition being the youth and women in the area.
- The participants we retaken through a practical session where they were demonstrated on how to stock a fish pond.
- Members of the training session were very active in getting clarification on various issues regarding fish farming.
- Members agreed to start both group and individual fish farms to engage in aquaculture.