Fishermen at Mida in Watamu division of Malindi Sub-County have been cautioned d against using unauthorised fishing gears to avoid catching immature fish.
Speaking at Mida creek in Watamu at the weekend during sensitisation campaigns against the use of outlawed fishing gears,Watamu Marine Park reserve Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) senior warden Mr. Dadley Tsiganyiu said the gears used are endangering the lives of fish and other marine lives.
Tsiganyiu said in order to stop fishermen from the use of those gears Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Watamu marine park office was now going round the villages to sensitise communities on the need to protect and conserve marine creatures.
“Some fish species like crabs and prawns are no longer available and hotels are forced to source them from as far as Lamu therefore, if the trend continues then in future such fish species will be wiped out in the area,” he warned.
He called on the fishermen in the area to form Beach Management Units (BMU) from where their activities will be controlled.
He said, for a fisherman to join BMUs, will be vetted and registered and BMU guidelines will be issued to enable safe fishing habits and protection of the marine ecosystem.
“When you join BMUs, you will be able to get help in the form of modern fishing gears from the government as well as from organisations since many of them are comfortable dealing with BMUs,” he added.
By Simon Guruba
