The fishing practices of fishers at ten landing sites in Malindi and Kilifi Districts that were surveyed in 1999 as part of a larger research project are discussed in this article. The focus of... Show moreThe fishing practices of fishers at ten landing sites in Malindi and Kilifi Districts that were surveyed in 1999 as part of a larger research project are discussed in this article. The focus of the research was on income diversification among fishers, pressure on marine resources and the relationship between the two. It was hypothesized that fishers with additional resources strengthen livelihood strategies and improve household security, and those who succeed in diversifying their incomes can be expected to have a more positive attitude towards conservation measures and will exact less pressure on marine resources. Two types of income diversification were distinguished: 1) 'activity' diversification at the individual level where fishers had other income besides fishing, and 2) 'earner' diversification at the household level where fishers belonged to a household with more than one income earner. Key indicators were selected that represented four features of artisanal fishing, namely: 1) the number of fishers; 2) the fishing grounds; 3) the type of equipment; and 4) the frequency of fishing. There was no significant relationship between 'earner' diversification and fishing practices while 'activity' diversification correlated significantly with two selected indicators. Fishers with 'multiple' activities used more destructive gear and fished inshore grounds more often, while there was no sign that they were more willing to stop fishing in favour of alternative employment. It was concluded that an activity diversification of fishers did not reduce the pressure on the marine environment. Instead the opposite occurred, fishers who had other employment onshore fished less prudently. Show less
This paper examines attitudes towards marine conservation among fishers from two villages in Kilifi District, Kenya. It focuses on how the views of fishers have contributed to their willingness to... Show moreThis paper examines attitudes towards marine conservation among fishers from two villages in Kilifi District, Kenya. It focuses on how the views of fishers have contributed to their willingness to engage in marine conservation and considers how these attitudes developed. Uyombo is situated near the Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve and the fishers from this village have encountered formal methods of conservation in their daily fishing activities. There is no marine park in the vicinity of Takaungu but fishers in Takaungu have used informal methods of conservation in the past, unlike those employed in Uyombo). These traditional ways have, however, lost most of their effectiveness. Data were collected in 2000, 2001 and 2003 and the study shows how experiences have shaped fishers' attitudes towards conservation and their perceptions of how conservation efforts should, or should not, be carried out. The fishers from Uyombo, as a result of their experiences with the Marine National Park, have developed such a negative attitude towards marine conservation that it may be difficult to involve them in any meaningful activities in the future. The fishers in Takaungu, on the other hand, are willing to participate in marine conservation activities provided these do not endanger their livelihoods and are on an equal partnership basis. Show less
