Cage Fish Farming and Its Effects on Livelihoods of Fisherfolk Within Anyanga Beach, Siaya County, Kenya.

Abstract

Cage fish farming continues to be hailed for the important role it plays in realisation of sustainable development through creation of employment, improving incomes and guaranteeing food security to fishing communities. Millions of fisherfolks globally rely wholly or partly on cage aquaculture and related activities for livelihoods. In Kenya cage fish farming is gaining popularity along the shores of Lake Victoria and is emerging as a preferred form of aquaculture investment. As an emerging economy, there is need to study and document the change narratives within the sector, a commitment that researchers must endeavour to fulfil. The study aimed at understanding cage fish farming within Anyanga beach in Siaya County and how it affects fisherfolk livelihoods in the area. It employed a descriptive study design with a qualitative methodology to understand the livelihood changes from the local fisherfolks’ perspective. Sustainable livelihoods theoretical approach was employed to elicit the strategies and actions for adapting livelihood practices to cope with the advent of cage farming along the beach. To address its objectives, the study profiled the socio-economic characteristics of fisherfolks; their motivations for adopting cage fish farming; as well as changes in fisherfolks livelihoods within the beach. The results shows that the fishing space at the beach is dominated by individuals aged 35 years and below and having a male majority. Women were mainly in fish trading where their numbers were greater than men. For those investing into cage farming the promise of better returns, reliability, predictability of harvest, flexible and limited time requirement, remained the major attractions. The study revealed that most cage farms were owned by non-locals with most locals engaged as cage workers in the farms. The study also demonstrated that the lives of most fisher folks within the beach have been influenced by cage fish farming as there is emergence of new jobs and income earning opportunities, new businesses and revitalized beach economy that the fisherfolk have benefitted from. The study further demonstrates that some local fisherfolk are adapting to this cage windfall by either embracing it as owners or workers. The study recommends investment in the sector by national and county governments and support for fisherfolk to own cages as well as regulations and effective governance of the Beach Management Unit for sustainable livelihoods.