Assessing the role of beach management units in co-management of fisheries resources in Kisumu county, Kenya

Abstract

Fisheries Management approaches continued being by centralized government intervention for some time after independence in countries in Africa. Later the approach proved inadequate to deal with the emerging issues in the management of fisheries resources. Partnerships known as co-management, now practiced in East Africa including Kenya, involve Beach Management Units (BMUs) in fisheries management. In Kenya co-management of fisheries with BMUs began in 2007 with hope that they will help Fisheries department better manage Lake Victoria Fisheries resources. However, fisheries management still remains a challenge to the central government. Minimal research has been done to assess the role of the BMUs in co-management. The overall objective of the study is to assess the role of BMUs as partners in co-management of Lake Victoria fisheries resources in Kisumu County. The specific objectives are to evaluate management functions of BMUs as co-management partners in sustainable utilization of Lake Victoria fisheries resources, establish factors that influence BMUs performance of their roles in sustainable utilization of fisheries resources and examine strategies BMUs employ to play their co-management roles in sustainable utilization of Lake Victoria fisheries resources. The study adopted a cross-sectional study design with target population consisting of BMU Assembly members from thirty one (31) gazetted BMUs, totaling to 6499 and 18 key Informants drawn from Fisheries Departments, Chiefs and Sub-chiefs at Lake riparian location and sub-location levels, Sub-County Police Departments and National BMUs network representative, all from Kisumu County. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were undertaken within each of the five riparian Sub-Counties five (5) with each FGD composed of 8 -10 participants. Three hundred and seventy-six (376) respondents who were BMU officials and ordinary members were sampled through simple random sampling from the 6499 BMU Assembly members for questionnaire administration. Data was collected by use of questionnaires which were pre-tested to ascertain their validity and consistency before they were used. The study found that all the BMUs exist as legal entities, having been registered by Fisheries Department with majority having democratically elected officials with Executive Committee composed of required stakeholders’ representation. Lack of commitment among the BMU assembly in playing their stipulated roles as well as lack of co-operation among the executive committee members was reported to be major reasons for dismal performance of BMUs in co-management. Majority of BMUs source funds from international and local donors as a strategy to enable them play their co-management roles probably due to such as organizing lake patrols. The study concludes that although majority of BMUs in Kisumu County are compliant with BMU regulations with regard to management functions and playing their intended roles effectively though this is not reflected in the recovery of fish stocks as intended and recommends a rethink about of roles BMUs are supposed to play to sustainably utilize Lake Victoria fisheries resources.