Marine Waters Frame Survey 2006 Report.

Abstract

The first ever complete Frame survey for marine waters was conducted by the Fisheries department in May 2004. The 2006 Frame Survey was the second exercise to be carried out on the entire coastline and was conducted from 22nd to 24th May 2006, exactly two years after the first one. Data collection involved interviewing a person who has the knowledge of the landing site at the landing point and physically observing the reported entities. Crafts at the landing sites were measured to the nearest metre while the toilet, banda and portable water were subjected to thorough scrutiny to ascertain their sanitation. The results indicated that the landing sites were 115, five more than the previous survey, with the number of artisanal fishers standing at 10,276 using 2,368 fishing crafts as compared to 9,017 fishers and 2.233 fishing crafts during 2004 FS. The gears used by the fishers showed markedly changes with some increasing in number, others remaining relatively the same while others actually reduced. The total number of gillnets was found to be 5,916 compared to 7,374 gillnets recorded in 2004. This reduction was more on the < 5 inches gillnets than those of > 5 gillnets and mainly on the northern coastline (Lamu and Tana River districts). The long line hooks also reduced to 8,224 from 10,908. Traps were 5,224, down from 6,318. The gears that increased in numbers were beach seines 560, up from 294; cast nets 812, up from 520; hand lines 6,540, up from 5,682; scoop net 764, up from 562 trolling lines 708, up from 608; spear guns 624 up from 473. Ring nets increased from one in 2004 to eleven in 2006. Monofilament nets increased from 902 to 1,050 during the same period. The use of sticks used for fishing of octopus and crabs increased from 958 in 2004 to 2,116 in 2006. On the beach infrastructure, the most remarkable improvement was on all weather roads with 45% of the beaches now accessed compared to 32% coverage noted during the 2004 Frame survey. The effective management of the beaches also realized a boost after 70 of the beaches were found to have BMU from 47 in 2004. However sanitation was a problem as portable water and toilet facilities reduced by 50% and 30% respectively according to this Frame survey’s definition of the said facilities. Most of the other facilities remained relatively the same with a < 10% deviation, except for the fish stores which increased to 7 from 3 earlier on reported in 2004.