Fishermen laud Uhuru landing site directive

Fishermen in Mombasa have lauded the government order directing all vessels to land their catch at a single point.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed that all the fishing vessels operating in the Kenyan waters to land their catch at the new Liwatoni fishing port in Mombasa.

Wavuvi Association of Kenya chairman Mohammed Hamid said the move will boost fishing at the Coast.

“This is good news to us and we have to appreciate the government for that effort which when it is implemented will allow our fisher folks to have a ready business for their catch,” said Mr Hamid in reaction to the order which will be effective March next year once the facility is completed.

The Liwatoni landing site is being redeveloped into a modern fishing port by the national government.

Also, the National Treasury has been ordered to release funds for the construction of an ultra-modern Tuna fish factory at the Liwatoni Fishing Port.

During his tour of the Coast last month, President Kenyatta also directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to train at least 1,000 Kenyan fishermen who will be absorbed by vessels operating in Kenyan waters after completing their training by June next year.

Mr Hamid said the training of the 1,000 fishermen will go a long way in boosting fishing at the Coast region which he said has suffered due to lack of proper training.

“The training will equip our fishermen with proper skills and it is our hope that there will be provision of equipment as well. We thank the government for these efforts. We are happy that some of our issues are being looked into,” he added.

The President has encouraged investors interested in the country’s expanding blue economy to take advantage of the reforms in the sector.