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is estimated that Kenya loses up to Ksh. 10 billlion annual because of IUU fishing activities (MoAF&L,
2015). These unsustainable activities destabilizes the progress made towards ensuring food security
and sustainable development.

Inadequate public participation

Although Kenya has undertaken a number of measures to include communities in coastal management
through programmes such as Community Conservation Areas (CCAs), the level of participation is
Country Profile
still inadequate. This is attributable to limited communication, awareness and education on coastal
management techniques. The strategies for community empowerment as also inadequate.
The Republic of Kenya
The opportunity

The blue economy concept: Opportunity for growth
Kenya has a growing gap between consumption and fish supply attributable to population growth
and decline in wild fish catch. These two factors have certainly increased the demand for fish, which
the extensive freshwater resource cannot meet. The decline in the wild fish catch has resulted into
the decline in rate of fish consumption. In 2009 the per capita annual consumption was estimated
at 5 kg/capita/year and decreased to 4.5kg/capita/year in 2017. Besides the high demand for fish
both locally and regionally, the concept of blue economy also marks an opportunity for growth.
The concept, which advocates for sustainable utilization and management of marine resources, will
certainly promote job creation and revitalize the marine based economy through its many concepts
such as cage culture, Aquaponics, Integrated RAS and breeding of indigenous species.

The Blue Economy Programme aims to ensuring capacity building for Blue Economy, develop a Blue
Economy Master Plan, a Blue Book and a Blue Economy Database, strengthen Beach Management
Units (BMU), create awareness among the youth on Blue Economy, and revive the Kenya National
Shipping Line (KNSL). Furthermore, the Exploitation of Living Resources under Blue Economy
Programme has the mandate to establish a National Fishing Fleet for the Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ), promote the production and consumption of fish, regulate fish land site, boost capacity for
artisanal fishers, and promote sea weed farming

The institutional, legal and policy framework
Kenya Maritime and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) was established in 1979 by the Science
and Technology Act (repealed by the Science, Technology and Innovation, No. 28 of 2013). The Institute
undertakes research in marine and freshwater fisheries, aquaculture, chemical and oceanography.

The National Marine Spills Response Contingency Plan outlines the procedure to be followed in
the event of oil spill. The Plan involves the participation of different stakeholder including the Kenya
Port Authority, oil companies and Oil Spill Mutual Aid Group (OSMAG). However, its managed by the
Kenya Maritime Authority. The Plan provides a platform through which Kenya can meet and implement
her obligations under international treaties such as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea (UNCLOS) and International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-
operation, 1990 (OPRC Convention). The former obligates Kenya to adopt measures prevent, reduce
and control the pollution of the marine environment from, among others, oil handling facilities. The
latter requires Kenya to adopt measures to prepare and respond to oil spills incidents.

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