Kenya Tuna Fisheries Development And Management Strategy 2013-2018.

Abstract

The National Tuna Management and Development strategy provides a roadmap for the sustainable development of the Kenya's tuna fisheries resources occurring in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and ensuring an efficient tuna fisheries value chain. The overall goal of the strategy is to transit tuna fisheries from artisanal-based fisheries to modern commercially oriented coastal and oceanic fisheries and accelerate economic growth of the marine fisheries with direct positive impacts to employment, wealth creation, improved incomes and foreign exchange earnings. Chapter two reviews the current situation of tuna fisheries from a global, regional and national perspective regarding the status of tuna stocks, exploitation and impacts on marine ecosystems, the obtaining trade regimes and value chain activities and the prevailing tuna fisheries governance system. The strategy identifies four main strategic issues namely; Unsustainable utilization of marine resources; Low economic benefits accruing from tuna fisheries to the national economy; Inadequate tuna fisheries governance and General cross-cutting issues including gender issues, and HIV and Aids. To address the strategic issues, four strategic objectives are prioritized for implementation. First, the maintenance of tuna stocks at sustainable levels and minimizing negative fishing impacts on the marine ecosystem. Secondly, transformation of tuna fisheries from artisanal fisheries to a modern commercially oriented coastal and oceanic fisheries and developing an effective tuna fisheries governance system that takes into account national, regional and international requirements and addressing the impact of HIV/ AIDS pandemic and gender issues in tuna fisheries. A detailed implementation matrix for each strategic objective with the relevant activities is outlined in chapter five. Mechanisms for measuring progress during implementation and financing arrangements are highlighted in Chapter six.