Empowering Kenyan Fishers: Citizen Science & Recording Fish Catch Data
- Thomas Sagimo
- Nov 18
- 4 min read
1. Introduction: The Ocean as Livelihood
Many coastal communities depend on the ocean for food, especially fish, which remains one of the main sources of protein and livelihood. To meet this need, fishers use different methods to catch fish. There are large-scale fishers with large to medium-sized boats, modern gear, and advanced technology, which yield significant catches. Then there are the small-scale fishers, those whose work often goes unnoticed.
Barak and Charo, two dedicated Kwa Chambo fishers, pose inside the fishers' store room holding their handmade spearguns — a glimpse into the ingenuity and resilience of small-scale fishing culture along Kenya’s coast.
2. Small-Scale Fishers: Unseen Stewards of the Sea
Small-scale fishers depend heavily on their strength, skills, and deep connection to the sea. Many of them still use spearguns, often handmade from simple materials, to catch fish as they dive across the reefs. Although spearfishing with these homemade guns is currently illegal, it remains a common practice, especially among fishers who are often equipped with worn-out fins and moldy masks.
Not every small-scale fisher can dive confidently, so some fishers turn to cast nets or handlines, sticking to traditional tools that have been used for generations. Their activities follow the routines of seasons. During the calm Kaskazi winds, fishing is easy, while the rougher Kusi season pushes many to rely on monofilament nets, another method that is unfortunately illegal but still widely used.
A mix of small reef fish, including rabbitfish and parrotfish, recorded during the Kwa Chambo community data collection. These species are vital to both food security and reef health.
Most often, they catch a small quantity of fish, mostly octopus, rabbitfish, parrotfish, and emperor fish. Despite their limited resources, these fishers play a vital role in sustaining coastal communities and local economies.
3. Challenges in Catch Data Collection
However, when it comes to collecting fish catch data, the difference between large-scale and small-scale fishers is striking. Large-scale fishers use licensed vessels and have designated harbours where they land their catch. This makes it easy for officers to monitor landings, record catch data, and involve them in fisheries management and policy decisions.
Most small-scale fishers continue to operate informally. Without fishing licenses or registration under a Beach Management Unit (BMU), they land their catches in scattered, often unmonitored areas. This makes it difficult to gather reliable data on what they catch and in what quantities. As a result, small-scale fishers, despite their deep knowledge of the sea and coral reefs, which serve as breeding grounds for many fish species, are often excluded from decision that shapes the future of fisheries. Their voices, experiences, and observations are rarely captured in official records, even though they spend more time in water and witness the changes happening beneath the surface.
4. Empowering Fishers Through Citizen Science
Ocean Sole Mobilizing Small-Scale Fishers for Sustainable Fishing.
Due to these reasons, in 2024, we began sensitizing and training fishers on marine conservation and the best practices for sustainable fishing, by guiding them through the process of applying for fishing licenses and registering for BMU membership to improve compliance, including how to record fish catch data information that is far more than just numbers.
This data helps fishers identify which species are being caught in what quantities and at what times of the year. It raises important questions, such as: Are certain species disappearing? Are catches changing with the seasons? The answers to these questions can guide both scientists and local communities in making better decisions about how to manage marine resources and in establishing appropriate projects.
5. Tools and Training for Data Accuracy
Involving Fishers in Citizen Science for Tracking Fish Catch.
So far, we have trained a few dedicated fishers to record fish catch data during the day and at night. As fishers bring in their catch, key information is recorded: the species, total number, and weight of fish, the fishing gear used, and the time spent fishing. A weighing scale is used to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Weighing the day’s catch — part of a training session to help Kwa Chambo fishers collect accurate fish catch data that supports local marine conservation.
Over time, this simple practice has become part of the community's daily routine. Fishers now appreciate the importance of accurate data and proudly participate in identifying species and sharing observations.
6. Quarterly Workshops: Making Sense of the Numbers
Once every quarter, we organize workshops where the collected data is visualized through graphs and charts, helping fishers see the bigger picture, trends in the catches, changes in species, and the impact of their efforts. These sessions have not only built understanding but also strengthened the bond between science and local knowledge, showing fishers that the data truly matters. By seeing the trends themselves, they gain a deeper understanding of how their activities influence fish stocks and, in turn, their income.
Lireway, a coral reef and marine ecology specialist, leads a hands-on training on how to identify fish species and record catch data — building fisher-led science in Kwa Chambo.
As we continue our work, we aim to expand these initiatives to reach even more small-scale fishers along the coast and look forward to helping design strategies for promoting sustainable small-scale fisheries management. We are also inspired to welcome and continue expanding these collaborations, building networks of citizen scientists, and contributing to a future where communities are at the heart of ocean conservation.
A Future of Shared Conservation
Our work with sea turtles has revealed a clear truth: everything in the ocean is deeply interconnected. Protecting nesting turtles is inseparable from supporting the livelihoods of the fishers who share these waters. When fishers thrive, the sea thrives, and when marine resources such as fish and corals are safeguarded, communities can build a more secure and sustainable future. This is why we remain committed to approaches that uplift both the marine ecosystem and the people who depend on it.
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