The Government has received a Ksh10 billion concessional loan from the World Bank to improve Governance and management of marine fisheries and aquatic resources.

Signing the County participation agreements with the five beneficiary coastal counties at Kilimo house Tuesday, Agriculture and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya said Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic (KEMFSED) Project will promote investment in marine fisheries and coastal aquaculture (mariculture), as well as strengthen the livelihoods of residents at the coast.

The KEMFSED project covers a period of five years and its overall goal is to enhance economic benefits and coastal livelihoods from marine fisheries and coastal aquaculture while safeguarding associated ecosystems’ integrity.

The project, he explained is based on two problem statements namely weak governance of marine fisheries that adversely affects the sustainable generation of optimal benefits for the overall economy and coastal communities and also coastal communities that are poor, have narrow income base and depend on fisheries for livelihoods which leads to over-fishing pressures.

“The project design has therefore adopted two principles of fisheries management that need to be strengthened and also associated, a cooperation of the private sector and coastal communities which is essential,” he said.

Munya noted that food and nutrition security is paramount for health thus fisheries provide high and easily absorbed protein, minerals and oils which can reduce malnutrition among the population making them healthy.

KEMFSED project, the CS noted comes at an opportune time considering fish is the most traded commodity in the world and being labor-intensive, generates many jobs.