ASSESSMENT OF FISHERIES RESOURCE-USE CONFLICTS IN THE ARTISANAL FISHERIES OF THE VIPINGO-MIDA CREEK STRETCH, NORTH COAST KENYA
Abstract
The study was conducted along the Vipingo-Mida Creek stretch of the Kenya coast. The
study assessed the exiting fisheries resource-use conflicts among and between artisanal
fishers and other stakeholders, and the adopted conflict resolution mechanisms employed.
Field data were collected using survey research design from a sample of 197 artisanal fishers
aged between 19 and 76 years. The most common fishing gear were identified as; gill net
(n=61), hand line (n=39), spear gun (n=36), while ring net and the fishing basket were less
common (n=8 and n=7 respectively). Irrespective of the gear used, fishers earned an average
monthly income of Kshs. 15,312 ±1,664; Mnarani fishers earned the highest monthly income
(Kshs. 15,988 ±1,664), Uyombo (Kshs. 15,292 ±1,478), while Kuruwitu fishers earned the
least (Kshs. 14,807 ±1478). Results of non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test indicated no
heterogeneity in income of fishers among the study sites [H (2, N=194) = 2.014;
p=0.3650].The study found out that 95% of these fishers, irrespective of the gear used and the
fishing ground visited, experienced resource-use conflicts, and there was no heterogeneity
across the study sites (χ
2=0.629; df=2; p=0.730). The leading causes of conflicts between
artisanal fishers were identified as: theft of fish from others’ gear (34%); using other fishers’
gear without consent (20%), non-payment for fish sold (14%), and competition for fishing
grounds (10%). Chi-square test results indicated heterogeneity in causes of conflict among
the study sites (χ
2=38571; df=12; p<0.05. Further, both traditional and modern conflict
resolution mechanisms are in use, but are not effective in eradicating fisheries resource-use
conflicts in the Vipingo-Mida stretch along the Kenya coast. The most effective conflict
resolution mechanism is a framework embedded in the fisheries regulation, as this was
reported to be equally effective across the three study sites. The study recommends zoning of
fishing grounds, and education and capacity building of the fishers as means of enhancing
harmony and co-existence of all users for sustainable fisheries. For this to be effectively
vi
done, the study further recommends studies to be done to determine the types of fishing gears
and the habitats that they can be deployed without causing any gear-based fisheries resourceuse
conflict.
Key words: artisanal fishers, fisheries resource, fisheries resource-use conflicts, conflict
resolution mechanisms, effectiveness