The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute in partnership with the Japanese government has launched the first high-density polyethylene fish cage project in Kijiweni, Kwale county.
The HDPE cages replace the wooden fish cages that have been proven to be less durable.
In the last decade, KMFRI has been conducting experimental cage culture using square and rectangular wooden cages but they could not withstand strong ocean currents.
The HDPE cage is a pilot project meant to boost fish production and empower local farmers to enhance their livelihoods through sustainable fishing.
The project is also envisioned to hold brood stock for breeding at the Namaret hatchery in Shimoni that is being developed by the government to help in supplying seed to the farmers.
KMFRI assistant director in charge of aquaculture David Mirera said the HDPE is a game changer to the mariculture industry and has come to relieve local fisherfolk from various challenges at the Coast.
He said the cages have a life span of up to 15 years, unlike the wooden ones that take approximately two years, which is costly.
"The durability of HDPE cages is guaranteed and will help fish farmers improve production and give good data for commercialisation of fish cage farming," he said.
The new cages are circular and of commercial size 10 metres in diameter. One cage can hold 8,000 rabbitfish and over 15,000 milkfish.
Mirera said each cage can produce 10 tonnes of fish in six months.
He said KMFRI will also provide two similar cages to be deployed in the same area, making the total three cages with a capacity of 21,000 fish in one go.
Mirera said additional cages of smaller sizes will be fabricated parallel to the research pilot project to enable fishermen to learn the new technology to boost fish farming.
He said the HDPE cages will promote marine cage farming which has for years not been fully adopted along the Kenyan Coast because of numerous drawbacks.
Mirera said the project is also in line with the government's efforts in addressing issues of climate change.
He said KMFRI is planning to research growing seaweed near the cages for integrated multi-trophic aquaculture.
"We are looking forward to having another project of growing seaweeds so that our farmers can have multiple benefits," he said.
Mirera said the project will support the growth of seaweeds hence promoting fish production and other marine life as well as seaweed business.
He said during the dry season production is low because of change in weather and increased concentration of salt in ocean water.
INCA Philippines assistant vice president for projects engineer Willam B Reorizo Jr said the circular HDPE cages are sustainable have outstanding quality and offer high fishing yields.
He said the square cages are commonly used on the lakes and normally don't function well in the oceans.
"The integration of the circular cage is not affected because they have the power to neutralise forces exerted on to it by waves unlike the rectangular and the square ones," he said.
He said the circular cages are also suitable for rearing milkfish as their nature is to go round and more can be accommodated.
Fisherman Hamadi Kombo said the project has many benefits to them as it will provide employment opportunities to fisherfolk in the area.
Kombo said KMFRI will need people to sell fingerlings and the ones to feed and take care of the fish.
Another fisherman Bakari Mnyeto said the HDPE cages will support steady fish production, especially the rabbitfish.
He said the rabbitfish are rare and have value because they are delicious and big in size.
"Rabbitfish are too hard to find when there are strong winds and growing them in cages will solve our problem because the supply will be continuous," he said.
