Report to the Government of Kenya on investigations into pelagic, demersal and crustacean resources off the coast of Kenya. Based on the work of A.M. Barker, Marine Fishery Biologist

Abstract

An FAO Marine Fishery Biologist served with the Kenya Fisheries Department in Mombasa, from 1967 to March 1969. Abundance of tuna, marlin, and related species available to pelagic longlining in coastal and offshore waters of Kenya was investigated 1966-68. Marlin and sailfish were more abundant in coastal waters during the north-east monsoon (December-March) and tuna virtually absent. Tuna appeared during the south-east monsoon (April-November), but were not plentiful at any time in coastal waters. They were found in greater number 50-100 miles offshore and marlin and sailfish less so. Offshore waters had less seasonal variation than inshore waters. A tagging programme was started to investigate movements and growth rates of tuna and billfish. Yellowfin tuna, striped marlin, and sailfish were tagged during 1968. Distribution and abundance of demersal fish and. Prawns in coastal waters were determined by bottom trawling. Large edible fish were very scarce in the trawl catches. Prawns were only abundant during the rainy season (May-June) and were fished in commercial amounts at three locations. Bottom long1ine catches along the coast were poor to fair except on the North Kenya Banks where results were excellent. Five species of spiny lobsters were found in the catch. Species composition of 1anding was ascertained and sex ratio and size at maturity of the dominant species obtained. Oyster culture studies were attempted but efforts to collect oyster spat on various media were unsuccessful.