Major Boost to Blue Economy As Kenya Partners With Canada To Uplift Dejected Fisheries Sector

A year after hosting the world’s sustainable blue economy conference, the Kenyan Government is stepping up efforts to develop the sector as it seeks to build an international presence.

The conference brought together at least ten Heads of State and government, heads of international organisations and over 10,000 participants from various countries.

Kenya’s head of state promised to lead in the adoption of policies, strategies, and mechanisms to harness so as to re-energize national economies and create more opportunities and jobs.

Uhuru Kenyatta’s government has reaffirmed its commitment to the blue economy pledge after unveiling plans to build several projects along the coast.

The Fishing and Tourism sector has received a major boost after the Government announced a partnership with the Canadian Government to construct fisheries infrastructure projects along the coastal region.

Fisheries, Aquaculture and Blue Economy principal secretary Prof Micheni Ntiba said that the project will entail the construction of a marine park and more recreational parks.

“We are going to construct a marine park in Kenya in conjunction with Canada to add to tourism attraction sites as well as leisure and learning activities. We will also build more parks in Lamu,” the PS said.

The PS also revealed that Kenya and Portugal are in advanced stages to co-host a UN conference on Ocean in Lisbon in 2020.

“This is a big task worldwide because all oceans are a source of living things. We will continuously hold conferences on the blue economy,” Prof Ntiba said.

As part of efforts to support blue economy initiatives, the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Institute also announced the construction of a Sh 1 billion state-of-the-art mariculture Centre in Shimoni, Kwale,

The project which is partly funded by the Kenyan Government and the World Bank will be constructed on 2.5 acres next to the Indian Ocean.

Mariculture is a specialised branch of aquaculture involving the cultivation of marine organisms for food and other products in the open ocean, The centre will have laboratories, administration and accommodation blocks at that site.

Featured Image Courtesy: TheEastAfrican.co.ke