Turkwel: The government has restocked Turkwel Dam with 80,000 tilapia fingerlings in a bid to revive the region’s declining fish population. The initiative is aimed at sustaining fisheries as a vital source of livelihood for local communities while also promoting food security and economic empowerment.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ann Mokoro, the Regional Director, revealed that a recent survey of the dam highlighted a significant decrease in the fish population, emphasizing the urgent need for restocking. Mokoro noted that the decline had severely impacted local fisherfolk, who rely on the dam for their livelihoods and nutrition. In response, the Kenya Fisheries requested national government intervention to replenish the fish stocks, ensuring local residents have access to adequate food.
Mokoro stressed the dam’s importance to the community, highlighting its role in providing food, income through fish sales, and supporting environmental conservation efforts. She encouraged responsible fishing practices, urging fishermen to allow fish to mature before harvesting and to return smaller fish to the dam to promote stock growth. Mokoro also advocated for fishermen to obtain licences and register with the Beach Management Unit (BMU) for legal recognition and government support.
She detailed the formal process for forming and registering BMUs, which oversee dam management and ensure that only qualified fisherfolk benefit from government resources. Mokoro mentioned collaboration between the Kenya Fisheries Services department and the West Pokot county government to engage the local community in establishing a BMU, which aids in identifying those involved in dam management.
The distribution of restocked fingerlings was divided between the Kango’letiang and Riting areas, each receiving 40,000 fingerlings. Mokoro underscored the need for community cooperation, proper regulations, and government support to sustain the fishery, improve livelihoods, and maintain ecological balance.
Samoei Kosgei, the Director of the Fisheries Department in West Pokot County, expressed gratitude for the fingerling donation from Sagana National Research and Breeding Centre, marking the first time the county received such from Sagana. He urged locals to avoid illegal fishing nets and emphasized the importance of caring for the fish population.
Anton Mulegeni, Chairman of the Kapsendu Beach Management Unit, thanked the government for restocking efforts and called on fishermen to obtain proper licences. He noted ongoing efforts to educate the community about legal fishing practices and the importance of licensing.
Local fisherwoman Philomena Siwa expressed happiness about the government’s support and the training provided by Kenya Fisheries Services. She requested security measures to protect the dam from illegal fishing and suggested educational tours for better dam management understanding.
Bishop Peter Siwa from the Riting area praised the government’s donation, noting the transformative impact on residents who shifted from banditry to fishing. He called for further support, including a motorboat and employment opportunities for dam management, alongside securing the dam against illegal fishing through designated closure periods and increased monitoring.