Calls to ban foreign trawlers fishing off Kenyan Coast

Caution has been issued against foreign trawlers seeking to take advantage of the six months of prawn fishing along the shallow Coastal waters of Kilifi, Tana River, and Lamu.

Trawlers are large boats that use a wide, cone-shaped net to catch fish.

The Malindi- Ungwana Bay prawn fishery Management plan that was gazetted in 2010 is defined as a fishing season from April 1 to October 31 each year.

Kenya Fisheries Service, Director General Daniel Mungai said that as Kenya prepares to commence the shallow water prawn fishing season on April 1, 2025, The Kenya Fisheries Service has begun sensitization against foreign (Chinese) trawlers that fish at shallow waters of the Coastal Counties.

He said Prawn Fishery Implementation Committee (PIC) has organized for a prawn fishery management plan meeting on March 27 2025 at the Coast Development Authority, Kilifi County to discuss and plan for the upcoming shallow water prawn fishing season for 2025.

“The prawn fishery plan implementation committee meets at the beginning and end of every season to review the challenges and opportunities experienced during the period and other management issues,” said Mungai.

76-year-old Charo Gumbao, a fisherman at Pirates Beach in Mombasa, says back in the 1980 and 90s, fishing was a lucrative venture and one could get enough income to feed the family, educate children and invest.

Gumbao reminisces how he would come back with a huge catch in four baskets without even struggling to go deep sea.

“Right now the fishermen can come back with a kilo of fish or nothing at all, yet they have a family that depends on them. My sons can’t fathom doing fishing considering the low price, ineffective equipment, coupled with competition from foreign vessels and dumping of fish by the Chinese,” says Gumbao.

Lamu BMU Chair Abubakar Twalib says the foreign vessels usually encroach the shore waters, destroying the breeding grounds of fish because they are using illegal equipment that scraps and picks everything while killing the fish eggs and depleting the young stocks.

According to research by fishing experts, trawler fishing along the shallow waters of Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu counties have been cited as the reason for overfishing that damages sensitive ecosystems like coral reefs, seagrass beds, and sponge gardens by dragging heavy nets across the seabed.

Data from Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), shows that Kenya’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Indian Ocean can produce between 150,000 and 300,000 tonnes of fish. 

The data shows Kenya losses sh.10 billion to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing every year, by foreign boats on the country’s waters. 

Blue Economy Network Kenya, Ali Bwana said that trawlers contribute to ocean pollution through fuel spills, discarded fishing gear, and noise pollution that affects marine life.

Bwana called for a ban or restrict trawling in Conservation Areas and an establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) where trawling is prohibited.

“Trawlers, including foreign vessels, have been reported operating illegally in shallow waters, damaging fishing gear and marine habitats.  Enhancing surveillance and enforcement can help curb these illegal activities,” said Bwana

He said there should be restricted trawling during breeding and spawning seasons to allow fish populations to recover and enforce strict limits on fish catches to prevent overfishing.

Bwana said many non-target species, including endangered marine animals like turtles, dolphins, and juvenile fish, get caught and discarded, leading to biodiversity loss.

He said implementing gear exchange programs, where fishers trade illegal nets for sustainable alternatives, has shown promise in regions like Kiunga.

“Promote the use of eco-friendly gear that reduces bycatch, such as trap fishing or pole and line fishing, and mandate the use of devices that allow non-target species, like turtles and small fish, to escape from nets through the use of Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs),” said Bwana.

In his presentation, Bwana said the trawler nets stir up sediments, reducing water clarity and affecting photosynthesis in aquatic plants, which are crucial for coastal ecosystems.

“Removing large numbers of fish species impacts predators and prey, leading to imbalances in the ecosystem. The removal of fish populations that maintain seabed stability can lead to increased erosion and habitat degradation,” said Bwana.

He called for conservation measures like no-trawling zones, gear restrictions, and sustainable fishing practices are essential to protect these areas.

Bwana said that there should be Seabed Protection Zones through identifying and protect vulnerable habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds by prohibiting bottom trawling.

He said there should be restoration of damaged ecosystems by deploying artificial reefs and replanting seagrass beds.

He said to mitigate the adverse effects of trawling in Kilifi, Tana River, and Lamu counties, the government should strengthen enforcement of Fishing Regulations.

“We should use drones, satellite monitoring, and patrol boats to detect illegal trawling activities and impose heavy fines and legal consequences for trawlers violating conservation laws,” said Bwana.

He said the local fishing communities should be involved in promoting sustainable practices and alternative livelihoods while conducting campaigns to inform fishers, policymakers, and the public about the long-term benefits of conservation.

Bwana pointed out that since 2018, over 95,000 mangroves have been planted in Pate, Kiunga, and Lower Tana conservancies, enhancing biodiversity and supporting fisheries. 

Additionally, the Tana River County Government launched programs to restore wetlands and lakes, benefiting both ecosystems and local livelihoods.

“Empowering local communities to manage marine resources through Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) can lead to effective conservation. In Lamu and Tana River counties, conservancies like Kiunga and Pate have successfully implemented LMMAs, resulting in improved fisheries management and habitat protection,” said Bwana.

He said international cooperation and regional agreements through collaboration with neighboring countries will regulate trawling in shared waters.

He said there should government should encourage businesses and consumers to support sustainable fishing by choosing certified seafood like Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified products.

Bwana said regular monitoring of fish stocks and habitats is essential through collaborations with research institutions to provide valuable data to inform management decisions and adapt strategies as needed.

The Members of the implementation committee are drawn from the County governments of Kilifi and Tana River, chairpersons of the participating BMUs in the Malindi —Ungwana Bay area, Kenya Fisheries Service, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), National Environmental and Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Coast Guard Service, Ministry of Interior and National Coordination, the Industry and representatives from the Non-Governmental Organizations.