County to vet fishermen for compliance

The County Government of Nakuru is in the process of vetting and licensing fishermen in Lake Naivasha, in a bid to reduce exploitation of the freshwater Lake.

 

County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries Dr.Immaculate Maina, officers from the Fisheries department will not renew licenses for those found to have contravened set guidelines.

 

Fishing in the breeding ground, dumping of old nest and noncompliance to safety measures are some of the malpractices.

 

“The county may also review the number of nets that each fishing boat is allowed to use so that we can have a balance between exploitation and the replenishment of fish in the lake,” said Dr. Maina.

 

Currently, the lake serves 178 fishing boats each carrying ten fishing nets.

 

Fishing activities in the lake have also been suspended as a cleanup exercise takes place, in reference to the World Environment Day celebrations.

 

The county is also conducting surveillance training to maize farmers across the County that has been affected by the Fall Army Worm.

 

Dr. Maina advised farmers to practice integrated farming and spot control before resolving to use of pesticides.

 

“We have noticed that the infestation is lower in mixed fields compared to fields where only one crop has been grown,” she noted.

 

So far, Gilgil Sub County has been the most affected area in the region.

 

Dr. Maina said the county was in collaboration with agrochemical companies that are training spray service providers on the right way to administer the pesticide, for an effective outcome.

 

The county has also distributed 490,000 pyrethrum seedlings to 8 sub-counties, in accordance with the Pyrethrum Revival project.

 

Over 3,000 avocado seedlings have also been distributed to farmers in Subukia sub-county, with more seedlings waiting to be spread out in the following weeks.

 

According to Dr. Maina, in the coming financial year, the County has put aside Sh 25million and Sh 30million for the purchase of Avocado and Pyrethrum seedlings respectively.