admin_county January 26, 2021

100000 Tilapia fingerlings introduced to lake Naivasha

The County Government of Nakuru in collaboration with the National Government yesterday introduced 100,000 tilapia fingerlings into Lake Naivasha.

The exercise which was led by Agriculture CAS Linah Jebii Kilimo, is aimed at increasing the number of fish in the lake and ensuring the sustainability of the water body.

This follows a restocking of 385,000 tilapia fingerlings in the 2019/2020 financial year.

According to Agriculture CEC Dr. Immaculate Maina, Lake Naivasha supports 1,000 fishermen directly, while over 10,000 people benefit from it indirectly.

Last year, 250 metric tonnes of fish were sold from the lake bringing in a total of Kshs. 240 million.

At the same time, Dr. Maina noted that the County Government completed the equipping of a Fish bulking, preservation and processing unit at the Central fish landing site, to the tune of Kshs. 20 million.

Data collection centers and fish preparation tables have also been upgraded at Kamere and Central fish landing sites.

To curb illegal fishing, the County Government came up with the Nakuru County fisheries guidelines in July 2020 which included the lake Naivasha reforms.

Dr. Maina noted that four boats have been procured to enhance day and night patrols as well as prevent fishing at fish breeding grounds. Additionally, all fishing boats are required to be clearly branded, indicating the landing site that the fishermen belong to.

She further asked the National Government to support the initiatives made in securing the activities at the lake so far.

Unfortunately, the significant rise of lake Naivasha has affected various fish landing sites, with property worth Kshs. 20 million being destroyed.