Browsing by Author "Ogello, Erick"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Ecological implications of Rastrineobola argentea (omena) fishery: A rapid assessment of bycatch diversity at Dunga Beach, Lake Victoria, Kenya
    (2022-06-01) Outa, Nicholas; Ogello, Erick; Okinyi, Walter; Mungai, Dan; Iteba, Jacob
    Rastrineobola argentea (omena) is the second most important species in the fisheries of Lake Victoria after Nile perch. However, its fisheries have negative impacts on the ecology of the lake especially because of the high numbers and diversity of bycatch resulting from the fishery. This study conducted a rapid assessment in Dunga beach in Kisumu, Kenya to identify and quantify the bycatch and to collect information on the fishermen’s perceptions of the bycatch from the omena fishery. All the boats reported bycatches of different species and different sizes. The bycatches comprised of Lates niloticus, Haplochromis spps, Clarias gariepinus, Protopterus aethiopicus, Synodontis. The smallest bycatch recorded was Haplochromis spp (3.3 cm; 3g) while the largest fish bycatch was Protopterus aethiopicus (1.5 m; 2.4 kg). Other bycatch recorded were freshwater shrimps and molluscs. 80% of the fishermen suggested the provision of alternative livelihoods as a measure to reduce the pressure on omena fishery while 12% recommended stricter rules on gears implemented. A total of 99% of the fishers reported that they do not return bycatch into the lake but rather sell them together with the main catch (omena). The implications of this on the ecological functioning of the lake is predicated on the negative impacts on the trophic interactions in the ecosystem.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Food Safety Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Of Fish Handlers in Kirinyaga County Markets, Kenya
    (2023) Kyule, Domitila Ndinda; Mburu, Saimon Wambui; Munguti, Jonathan; Obiero, Kevin; Abwao, Jacob; Ndegwa, Daniel; Outa, Nicholas; Ogello, Erick
    Fish and fish products have high nutritional value and are important in supplementing human diet. Fish products have little or no cholesterol and saturated fat, but instead have omega 3 and low-fat content essential for human health. Despite the high nutritional value of fish products, their consumption is hindered significantly by setbacks such as spoilage and foodborne diseases that spread through contamination in the fish supply chain. The objective of this study was to evaluate fish vendors' attitudes, knowledge, and practices on food safety in selected markets in Kirinyaga County that included Sagana, Tebere, Mwea, Ndia, Kianyaga, and Kerugoya markets. A structured questionnaire was administered to 54 fish vendors to collect information on fish safety, spoilage, risk factors, personal hygiene, food contamination, type of hazards, foodborne diseases and attitudes towards training on food safety. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 was used to analyze the data from the respondents. The relationship between fish vendors’ demographic characteristics and risk factors was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The majority of the fish vendors had a positive attitude towards education in hygiene practices (56%). There was a positive correlation between education and fish vendors' awareness of fish foodborne diseases at p<0.05. The study revealed that fish foodborne diseases awareness was positively influenced by respondents' level of experience and age. Moreover, there was also a significant (p˂ 0.05) positive correlation on the awareness of fish foodborne diseases with hygiene and food safety. Majority of the fish handlers had average level of knowledge, attitude and hygiene practices for food safety. These findings presented a foundation for formulating policies to increase food safety and hygiene practices of fish handlers in the region, thereby preventing foodborne diseases and postharvest losses. The results of this study can also form a basis for an in-depth research for students and researchers in various disciplines such as public health, marketing, community development and more.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Reviewing the Status of Turtles in Kenyan Aquatic Ecosystems: Threats and Current Conservation Efforts
    (2022-07-16) Ogello, Erick; Kinga, Jeniffer; Mwanzia, Janet; Outa, Nicholas; MUTHOKA, MAVINDU
    Turtles are ancient repltiles with significant economic, ecological and social values to humanity. Due to the high demand for commercialized sea turtle products, turtles have been classified under ‘Critically Endangered’, ‘Endangered’ or ‘Vulnerable’ by the World Conservation Union. The long-term survival of turtles is contingent on the protection of nesting areas and the education of local communities on their conservation and importance. Pollution, loss of nesting grounds, bycatch in fishing, poaching, and climate change contribute to the decrease of turtles. If these causes are left unchecked, they may have devastating effects on the turtle population. Long-term monitoring is therefore essential for gaining a thorough understanding of turtle population dynamics and assessing the efficiency of conservation measures. We conducted a review of the most recent literature to guide future research, emphasizing the basic biology of turtles with a focus on the Kenyan situation. The review has revelaed that Kenya is home to a variety of turtles, including both marine and freshwater turtles. The green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) are some of the marine turtles found in Kenyan waters. The paper further discusses the importance of turtles, the risks they face, presents conservation measures as well as what can be done to raise their survival rates. This review proposes that government, non-governmental organizations and community must devote special attention to the development and execution of scientifically sound, conservation measures to reduce activities that place turtles under threat.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Socio-economic consequences of imported frozen tilapia in the Kenyan aquaculture value chain: Strategies for optimizing local unexploited potential
    (2022-10-18) Ogello, Erick; Outa, Nicholas
    The capture fisheries production sector, which is the main source of consumed fish in Kenya has been declining over the years, causing a huge deficit in fish supply in the local market. Even though aquaculture has been fronted as a stop-gap measure, there are still eminent fish supply gaps, prompting the importation of frozen tilapia, mainly from China. However, imported fish has attracted numerous socioeconomic debates between proponents and opponents of fish imports, almost in equal measure. This study investigated the socio-economic consequences of imported tilapia in the local fish market and the value chain linkages in Kisumu County. Primary data were collected using direct interviews with pre-set questionnaires fed into Open Data Kit (ODK) platform, and observations from 60 randomly selected fishermen and 60 fish farmers, 100 fish traders and 96 households. Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were also conducted. About 57% of the respondents processed and traded on imported frozen tilapia, 27% of them traded on fish from capture fisheries, and 16 % traded on fish from the local aquaculture sector. Imported tilapia was the cheapest at Ksh. 200/kg compared to the locally produced tilapia at Ksh. 320/kg. At least 62 % of the households in Kisumu consumed imported tilapia regularly due to lower prices and availability. About 46 % of the respondents have gained direct employment and experienced improved socio-economic status because of the imported fish, of which 71 % are youth and women. However, about 40% of the respondents reported multiple job losses and degraded socio-economic status due to poor market for the locally produced tilapia, whether from the capture or culture sector. The study concluded that the importation of frozen tilapia can potentially reduce socio-economic returns from the local fisheries and aquaculture value chains. A rational approach is to optimize local fish production to saturate the local market and potentially out-price the imported frozen tilapia. Appropriate government policies tackling the importation of fish into the country can also help reduce the negative impacts of these imported fish on the local fish market systems.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The status of research on Lake Victoria fisheries: Historical and current data on fisheries and the lake environment
    (2019-09-20) Outa, Nicholas; Mungai, Dan; Ogello, Erick
    Lake Victoria which is the second largest freshwater lake in the world supports a large population living around it through provision of food; fish and employment; both directly and indirectly. Due to its varied uses, human intervention within the lake and its catchment has caused several ecological changes in the recent years which have had profound effects on its resources. Historical and recent data within the lake show an enormous change in the diversity of the fish species as well as environmental and ecological changes. Some of the reasons cited for the changes in biodiversity within the lake are: the introduction of alien fish species like Nile perch (Lates niloticus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) into the lake, habitat loss and the cultural eutrophication. Several research projects like Lake Victoria Management programme (LVEMP) and Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) have been formed to help address some of these problems with varied levels of success. There is therefore an urgent need for management measures based on sound scientific research to be taken in order to curb this loss of ichthyodiversity within the lake and to save the livelihoods of the people who are dependent on the lake. Owing to the importance of the lake to the livelihoods of the people around the lake and beyond, there is need for concerted effort by all stakeholders in trying to halt the degradation and other negative environmental and ecological changes within the lake. Ecosystem approach to conservation is the way forward in the management and sustainable utilization of the fisheries and other resources within the lake.