Fishermen protest seven-day fishing ‘suspension’ over rough seas

By  Anthony Kitimo

Correspondent

What you need to know:

• The fishermen said a previous suspension of fishing activities had caused hardship.
• Proposed suspension follows a weather warning of strong winds and rough seas in the Indian Ocean.

Fishermen along the Kenyan coast have protested against calls to suspend fishing for seven days following a weather warning of strong winds and rough seas in the Indian Ocean, saying the move could leave their families without food and income.

The fishermen said a previous suspension of fishing activities had caused hardship, with many struggling to provide for their families after being unable to venture into the ocean for several days.

The Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) has warned fishermen, boat operators, tourists and other users of coastal waters to exercise extreme caution over the next seven days, as strong winds and high waves are expected in coastal and offshore waters.

The department forecasts winds of between two and 12 metres per second, equivalent to about four to 24 knots, with some exposed areas likely to experience very rough seas that could make navigation dangerous, particularly for small fishing vessels.

But despite the warning, some fishermen in Mombasa’s Old Town said the rising cost of living and demand for seafood made it difficult for them to suspend their operations.

“We are people of the sea, and we can tell you these changes are real. Sea temperatures have changed, and the currents are no longer flowing in the directions we are used to,” one fisherman said.

Harun Ali, a fisherman in Mombasa, described the danger posed by the rough conditions.

“The sea was rough, and even those of us inside the boat felt our chances of surviving were 50-50. You could not tell whether you would make it back or whether it was the end of your life,” he said.

Masoud Rashid, a fisherman from Kibokoni, said stopping fishing was not an easy decision because several people depended on every trip for their livelihood.

“Leaving the sea is not easy. You have to go out and look for something because there are 10 people depending on one boat,” he said.

The warning also affects beachgoers, marine transport operators and tourism businesses that depend on the Indian Ocean.

Kenya Coast Guard Service Director-General Bruno Shioso urged coastal communities, fishermen and tourists to follow safety guidelines and heed official warnings about changing sea conditions.

“We urge the fisherfolk to cooperate and remain alert,” he said.

On the other hand, Roseline Mapesa, the service’s Director of Enforcement and Emergency, advised fishermen to suspend operations unless absolutely necessary, warning that rough seas could endanger even experienced sailors.

“We are urging them to stop operating. We shall deploy officers to enforce that,” she said.

Ms Mapesa added that the service had vessels operating at sea around the clock and an operations centre monitoring emergencies 24 hours a day.

Authorities say the measures are intended to protect lives, but fishermen are concerned about how they will feed their families during the proposed suspension.

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