Kenya - Extension of Long lining activity

[PanamaJack]

Just picked this up from one of the regular Kingfisher newsletters - desperately disappointing for all concerned. Something we can 'thank' our EU political 'masters' for?

 

The Kenya Government, having licensed foreign long liners and Purse Seiners to operate within 12 miles of our coast line, has once again let down our local fishermen the sport fishing industry, and by extension the Tourist Industry of Kenya.

 

It is no good trying to keep the fact of long liners on the North Kenya Banks under wraps; there are too many of our regular European fishermen who have now seen it with their own eyes. And there is a big European Tournament out of Hemingways, Watamu - 'The European championships' no less, with teams from most European countries. You can bet that they all know about it. That kind of news travels far and wide very quickly.

 

The NKB is a comparatively small area, 40 miles from Malindi, and about 34 miles from Ngomeni. It then continues North to the Zewayu Islands where it is much closer inshore. It goes further north still getting ever closer to the shore until it enters Somalia where it is only a few miles off shore. No foreign commercial fishing vessel should be allowed to operate anywhere near these Banks, because they will wreck it in no time at all, as they have done in most parts of the world. The E.U. are I believe the worst offenders, reverting to blackmailing East African Govt; no fishing rights no more aid. Quite disgusting.

 

Somalia is different. Any fishing vessel caught in their waters is impounded, the crew locked up and the key thrown away; and they have no Govt. only some war lords, and no outside aid. To get the fishing boat released will cost a million dollars. The situation we face here and now is indeed serious, and unless the Govt. sorts out this problem fast we can all look forward to difficult times ahead.

 

The North Kenya Banks have become, in the last few years, an important area for Sportfishing. This is due to the advent of bigger and faster boats which are able to reach the area reasonably quickly, weather permitting. Further north where the Banks are a little closer to the mainland, the local fishermen use it extensively. If Kenya and us fishermen are to loose this whole area permanently to commercial fishing vessels then Kenya has lost a priceless and irreplaceable asset for the proverbial 30 pieces of silver

Edited December 6, 2006 by PanamaJack

[Ian Burrett]

Just picked this up from one of the regular Kingfisher newsletters - desperately disappointing for all concerned. Something we can 'thank' our EU political 'masters' for?

 

 

When i was out there reguarly in the early 90's, the then President had just sold the Tuna rights to the Japanese for a personal fortune of millions and a bridge over Mtwapa creek.

 

I have no doubt some Kenyan goverment officials will be getting a back hander out of this.