Lake Victoria cage fish farmers counting losses

Kisumu, Thursday April 13, 2023 2023

K.N.A By Chris Mahandara

Cage fish farmers at Dunga beach in Lake Victoria are counting losses worth millions of shillings following massive fish deaths in the area.

The mysterious deaths first reported on Wednesday has affected over 30 cages leaving hundreds of farmers who have invested heavily in the business with huge losses.

George Opande, one of the affected farmers said before the incident, farmers witnessed a rapid change in the color of the water.

The fish, mainly tilapia, he said were found floating on the cages on Thursday morning with most of the farmers unable to salvage anything.

“We have lost all our stocks including the fingerlings which were about five months old,” he said.

With a total of 25 cages, Opande said he had only harvested five before the disaster stroke.

He blamed the incident to pollution saying the water was dirty leading to algae bloom and insufficient oxygen.

“What is bringing this issue is contamination. The water is dirty and sometimes see the top layer coated with oil,” he said.

“We are not experts but we suspect that there are chemicals being discharged into the lake by some of the industries around. This matter should be looked into,” he added.

The incident comes barely five months after a similar occurrence at Ogal and Asat beaches in Kisumu West Sub-County, where farmers lost fish worth Sh. 927 million.

Opande urged the relevant government agencies to investigate the matter and support the affected farmers to restock.

Aquaculture Association of Kenya Kisumu County Chairman David Okelo said the loss estimated to be Sh5 million was a big blow to farmers and efforts to revive fish farming in the area.

The lake, he added was contaminated posing a great danger to both human and aquatic life.

“The lake is dirty. Effluents are being discharged into the lake posing a danger to fish and livelihoods of millions of people who depend on the lake,” he said.

Okelo asked the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute and other government agencies to stamp their authority and crackdown on individuals and industries polluting the lake.

"This is the main source of income for this region. We are asking the government to enforce the law and ensure that the lake is protected,” he said.

In November 2022, Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Salim Mvurya formed a taskforce to investigate fish kills in Lake Victoria.

The 14-member task force identified upwelling as the cause of fish kills at Ogal and Asat beaches, where farmers lost millions of shillings.

The taskforce chaired by Blue Economy Principal Secretary (PS) Betsy Njagi recommended the establishment of a standing committee to oversee cage fish farming in the country.

Other recommendations included training of farmers to ensure proper placement of cages in the lake and proper management practices to avert fish kills.

Courtesy K.N.A