Effect of Climatic and Non-Climatic Factors on Fishing Activities in Lake Victoria, Kisumu County, Kenya
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Date
2021
Authors
Akoth, Apindi Jane
Mahiri, Ishmail O.
Obiero, Kennedy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands
Abstract
Akoth AJ, Mahiri OS, Obiero K. 2021. Influence of climatic and non-climatic factors on fishing activities in Lake Victoria,
Kisumu County, Kenya. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 11: 7-17. This study aimed to determine the impact of climatic factors like dry spells,
rainfall, wind strength, and non-climatic factors like overfishing, water hyacinth, and predators on fishing activities on the shores of
Lake Victoria in Kisumu County. The research used a descriptive survey design. The study area comprised thirty-two beaches, of which
eight were chosen to represent Kisumu County as a whole. The eight beaches were sampled using a systematic sampling technique. The
data was collected using a sample size of 362 respondents. Over the past ten years, fish landing data was collected at the beaches and the
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KEMFRI), while climate data was received from the Kisumu Airport Regional
Meteorological Department. Primary data was collected from the beaches using questionnaires and interviews, whereas secondary data
was collected from KEMFRI using document analysis guidance, books, and publications. The results were processed and analyzed with
the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) application, which assisted in the calculation of frequencies, means, and
percentages. The study discovered a linkage between climatic factors and fishing activity. According to the study, climatic factors and
fishing activities have a substantial relationship. The amount of rainfall affected fish captures, albeit the effect differed by fish species;
Oreochromis (r =.260), Lates niloticus (r =.130), and Protopterus (r =.184) had positive correlations with rainfall, whereas
Rastrinoebola argentea and Claras gariepinus had negative correlations. Overall, the findings showed a positive correlation coefficient
(r =.079) between rain and total fish catch. Fish numbers in the lake have decreased due to a dry season accompanied by high
temperatures. A strong wind had a negative impact on fishing activities, whereas mild to moderate wind favored fish catch. Nonclimatic factors had a significant detrimental effect on fishing activity in Lake Victoria, according to the study. The researcher came to
the following conclusions based on the findings: there was a relationship between climatic elements and fishing activities; non-climatic
factors primarily influenced fishing activities negatively; however, fishers implemented mitigation strategies to help address nonclimatic factors. Policymakers should regulate fish harvesting as dictated by climatic and weather variations, assess the impact of nonclimatic elements in fish production, and recommend appropriate mitigation measures. Finally, regulations should be enhanced to save
endangered fish species from extinction, according to the findings.
Description
Article
Keywords
Climatic elements, fishing, Kisumu, Lake Victoria, non-climatic factors
Citation
AKOTH, A. J., MAHIRI, I. O., & OBIERO, K. (2021). Influence of climatic and non-climatic factors on fishing activities in Lake Victoria, Kisumu County, Kenya. International Journal of Bonorowo Wetlands, 11(1).