The Role of Women in Fisheries Management in Kenya: Financing of Women Activities in the Fisheries Sector.

Fish provides 17% of the world's protein but in some countries especially the Less Developed Countries (LCD's) the figure is as high as 50%. In Kenya, fish contributes up to about 70% of the animal protein conslJ.med especially for the populations around Lake Victoria. Women in fisheries play an important role an important role particularly in the area of marketing and processing at the artisanal level in the Lake Victoria fisheries. However, there are many constraints that hamper the full participation of women in the management of the fisheries of this lake. Reports have indicated that such constraints include social barriers, lack of education, masculine image of the industry and lack of finance. This paper discusses the role of women in the fisheries sector with a focus on some of the constraints. Kenya produces 180,000 metric tons of fish by 30,000 fishermen using about 8,000 fishermen using about 8,000 vessels. The Nile Perch (Lates niloticus) accounts for more than 60% of the total production and earns the country more than US$ 60m per year, the minnou (Rastnneobola argentea) known locally as Omena/Dagaa/Mukene contributes 25%, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) 15% and other fish species 10%. The three main commercial species in the market are Nile Perch, Tilapia and Omena. Fishing and related activities support a large population in Kenya. Over 500,000 people are either directly or indirectly employed by the fishing industries, supporting families and dependants. Employment opportunists include, fisher folk, fish handlers, fish processors, oat makers and repairers, net makers and menders, drivers and other smallscale related business.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Aloo, P., Nyandat, B., Kibwag, J., Murakwa, D., Lwenya, C., Owili, M., Macharia, P.
Format:	Book Section biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization 2000
Subjects:	Fishery management, Resource management, Financial resources, Financing, Women,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/1834/7170
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