Meru South District - UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative

River Capture Production
The fish captured in the rivers are Tilapia, Catfish, Common Carp, Eel, Labeo.
In 2004 7890kgs was captured in the rivers and in 2005 9640kgs of fish was
captured in all the rivers in Meru South.
5.3.4 Fisheries Legislation and Law Enforcement
The department manages the fish industry in Kenya through legislative powers
provided by the Fisheries Act Cap 378 of the Laws of Kenya. This is an act of
parliament enacted to provide for the development, management, exploitation,
utilization and conservation of fisheries. It is a powerful instrument in ensuring
proper development and management of fisheries resources.
Fisheries Act Cap 378 Divides Into:
• The Principal Legislation – which deals with
a) Administration (describes the powers of the minister and director
of fisheries).
b) Registration of fishing vessels.
c) Licensing provision – while fishing or handling fish from
Kenyan fisheries waters.
d) Offences and enforcement (offences with regard to harvesting
and dealing with fish from Kenyan fishery waters and penalties).
e) General provision of powers for authorized officers to act as
prosecutors, minister’s powers to make regulations, protection of
marine mammals, fishermen loan scheme.
• Subsidiary Legislation
This details various provisions that mandate the main Act. Subsidiary
legislation is basically the regulation made under section 14 and 21 of
fisheries Act and includes:-
o Registration of local fishing vessels
o Various fisheries licenses
o Administration of licenses, permits and certificates
o Trout fishing
o Importation of live fish
o Prevention of pollution and protection and conservation of fishery
waters
o Private marks for fishing gears
o Enforcement provisions
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