Author(s): Tunje JG, Tole MP, Hoorweg JC, Shauri HS and Munga CN

Abstract: A total of 197 artisanal fishers along the Vipingo-Mida Creek stretch of the Kenyan coast were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires with the goal of identifying causes of conflicts in fisheries resource use. The collected primary data was coded and entered into Microsoft Excel, then analyzed descriptively. Further qualitative analyses were performed with the help of SPSS statistical software where selected variables were subjected to non-parametric test using Chi-square and, with STATISTICA statistical software where 1-way ANOVA was used for parametric test. Majority of fishers (53.8%) from the study area were youth of less than 35 years of age while 14.2% were older fishers above 50 years. Results of 1-way ANOVA indicated no significant difference in age of fishers among the study sites of Vipingo, Kuruwitu and Mnarani within the study area (df = 2; f = 1.004; p = 0.368). Further, the most common fishing gear was the gill net (39.1%), followed by fishing line (29.8%), and spear gun (21.2%) in that order. Chi-square test revealed a significant difference in gear usage between study sites (χ² = 46.658; df = 8; p≤0.001). The study found out that most (>95%) of the fishers in the area had experienced conflicts, either from other fishers at work or from other stakeholders. Fisheries resource use conflicts in the area were mainly as a result of fish theft from passive gears (34.1%), use of other fishers’ gear without consent (20%), lack of payment for fish sold (14.1%), competition for fishing grounds (10.3%), destructive activities of aquarium fishers (8.1%), opposition of fishers to conservation policies (8.1%), and failure of traders to pay fishers (5.4%). To minimize fisheries resource use conflicts, and promote harmony amongst resource users and achieve sustainable use and management of fisheries resource, the study suggests education, awareness and sensitization programmes targeting the local artisanal fishers, zonation of fishing grounds and assigning them appropriate gear use, as well as providing exclusive fishing rights to a first comer to a fishing ground.

Pages: 156-161  |  1395 Views  96 Downloads

Download Full Article: Click Here