Don’t ignore fishing gear, harvest depends on it

Nasrulah Miraly Managing Director Monasa Nets Kenya Limited during an interview at his office in Kisumu. PHOTO| ELIZABETH OJINA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Ponds and cage systems are now the only way to boost production
  • Initially farmers used local materials such as stones to act as sinkers. Stone sinkers can damage the pond liner during harvesting.
  • Today the sinkers are fitted with different materials such lead to anchor the nets during harvesting of fish.

Nasrulah Miraly is the director of Monasa Nets Kenya Ltd in Kisumu. He spoke to Elizabeth Ojina on what should be done to better the fishing gear industry


What makes a good quality fishing net?
Good nets are made from nylon and should be strong and soft. The type of net used depends on the size of the fish. For the fingerlings, you will need fine mesh hapa nets so that they don’t escape. The mesh size should be as large as possible, taking into account the fish size. The larger the mesh size, the better the oxygen supply to the stock.

Four years ago, the national government introduced a 25 per cent custom duty on agricultural equipment imports, which include fishing gear. How has this affected the aquaculture industry?
This duty is not good for the sector especially now that fish stocks are dwindling in the lake and people are turning to aquaculture. Ponds and cage systems are now the only way to boost production, but we cannot do it if costs are high. The price of the net per metre was Sh100, but when you add clearing tax, licence fee and custom duty, it rises to Sh160.

What has changed in the fishing gear industry?
A lot has improved especially with the sinkers and floaters for drag nets. Initially farmers used local materials such as stones to act as sinkers. Stone sinkers can damage the pond liner during harvesting. Today the sinkers are fitted with different materials such lead to anchor the nets during harvesting of fish.

How does one maintain a fishing net to ensure it does not introduce diseases in the pond?
Farmers need to check on the storage of harvest net particularly those used in the pond system. They should fold them nicely to avoid the loosening of the net mesh. Fouling of the net should be avoided by regular cleaning.

What role does technology play in aquaculture fish gear sector?
Aquaculture fish gear technological advancement is more developed in mariculture than in cage or pond system, which is more controlled. Through the precision fishing method, the farmer uses Geographical Information system to locate the fish by studying its oxygen requirements, depths and the fish behaviour. The increases harvest.