Kenya’s aquaculture sector is growing fast, playing a vital role in food security and the national Blue Economy. As production intensifies, ensuring that fish farming is ethical, safe, and environmentally responsible has become essential. Central to this is fish welfare, which directly impacts fish health, survival, productivity, food safety, and market access.
To ensure this growth is sustainable and ethical, the One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI), through its Africa Fish and Aquaculture Welfare Program (AFIWEL), is collaborating with the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), the Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS), and the State Department for Mining and Blue Economy to co-develop a National Manual Standard Operating Procedure (MSOP) for Fish Welfare. This tool will provide practical, science-based guidance to fish farmers, hatcheries, inspectors, extension officers, and policymakers.
Why Fish Welfare Matters for Kenya
While existing guidelines often focus on health and biosecurity, there has been a gap in practical guidance for fish welfare. Proper welfare is more than just an ethical choice; it directly impacts:
- Productivity and Survival: Healthier fish grow better and have higher survival rates.
- Food Safety: Good management practices ensure safer products for consumers.
- Market Access: Aligning with international standards opens doors to new export opportunities.
- One Health: Aligns with One Health principles, environmental sustainability, and inclusive livelihoods.
At AFIWEL, advancing fish welfare is central to promoting ethical, safe, and sustainable aquaculture across Africa.
What is the National MSOP?
The MSOP is a practical, science-based tool designed for everyone in the aquaculture value chain, from farmers and hatchery operators to inspectors and policymakers.The manual will provide clear procedures for:
- Hatchery Operations: Managing broodstock and early life stages.
- Production Systems: Maintaining optimal stocking densities in ponds, cages, and recirculating systems.
- Daily Management: Standards for feeding, nutrition, and water quality.
- Handling and Transport: Reducing stress during grading, harvesting, and moving fish.
The initial focus will be on key species like tilapia and catfish, ensuring the guidelines are relevant to the most common farming practices in Kenya.
A Government-Led, Inclusive Approach
The development process is built on national ownership and transparency. A Joint Technical Working Group will oversee the creation of the MSOP, ensuring it aligns with Kenya’s existing fisheries laws.
Key steps include:
- Public Consultation: Engaging with farmers and civil society to ensure the standards are practical and widely accepted.
- Capacity Building: Training fish inspectors as compliance officers and extension officers as advisors to support farmers on the ground.
- Field Testing: Piloting the procedures on real farms to refine them before the national rollout.
Looking Ahead
By operationalizing fish welfare, Kenya is setting a scalable model for the rest of Africa. This initiative doesn’t just improve how fish are raised; it strengthens the entire aquaculture governance framework, supporting the country’s goals for a competitive, sustainable, and responsible Blue Economy.
The co-development of Kenya’s National Fish Welfare MSOP marks a critical step toward ethical, sustainable, and market-ready aquaculture. By embedding fish welfare into governance, production, and verification systems, Kenya can strengthen its aquaculture sector while ensuring the welfare of farmed fish. Kenya is taking a decisive step toward a future where fish welfare and economic productivity go hand in hand.
