CS Peter Munya (PHOTO: FILE)MOMBASA, KENYA: Kenya is leaving nothing to chance in tapping into the potential of the Blue Economy with strategies aimed at ensuring the country benefits from its largely unexploited marine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). While on an inspection tour of various development projects in Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale Counties, Munya said his ministry was already developing a Master Plan for Fisheries and the Blue Economy and coordinating all departments dealing with marine resources to revive the sub-sector and add value to marine resources. “Our ocean is expansive and our resources immense, but we do not have the capacity to fully exploit them, leaving them to be stolen by foreigners since our fishermen cannot venture into deep sea fishing due to lack of large vessels,” he said. The CS however said the theft of marine resources was being countered by the Kenya Coast Guard and the Kenya Navy as well as the coordinating office on the Blue Economy and Fisheries domiciled at the Executive Office of the President. Munya urged fishermen to form groups and cooperatives so they can benefit from government assistance in an organized manner, including accessing affordable credit to improve their fishing gear.

Source: Standard Digital September 01, 2020 12:22 UTC