FISHING

Definition of terms
 Fishing is the exploitation/harvesting of fish and other aquatic/water resources e.g. whales, seals, crabs, lobsters,
prawns, oysters, etc. for economic purposes.
 Fisheries are water bodies or areas where fish and other aquatic resources are reared or caught in large numbers.
They include rivers, lakes, oceans, seas, dams and ponds. they are also referred to as fishing grounds.

Factors influencing fishing

 These include the factors that affect the survival of fish in the fisheries as well as those allowing fishing to take
place.
 They include: -
i. Presence of fishing grounds: - these depend on the supply of fish food/planktons in the water bodies. This
requires the oceans and other fishing grounds to be: -
 Shallow to allow sunlight to penetrate for phytoplankton
 Land derived minerals nutrients from along the coasts with several river mouths.
 Upwelling/well oxygenated waters where warm and cold currents converge.
 Cool waters of temperate latitudes
ii. Cool climate: - cool temperatures (about 200C) are ideal for plankton growth and survival. Hence most
commercially important fish species are found in temperate latitudes. Cool temperatures also reduce
perishability of fish
iii. Occurrence of ocean currents: - areas washed by warm ocean currents have fewer fish species and
population compared to those washed by cold ocean currents. Also large shoals of fish are found in areas of
convergence of warm and cold ocean currents – waters mix and spread out/distributes water temperature;
bringing to surface some fish nutrients, helps in supplying more oxygen in the water necessary for plankton
growth.
iv. Nature/configuration/orientation of the coastline: - indented/irregular coastlines encourage deep sea
fishing because they allow breeding of fish – they are sheltered from strong winds and ocean currents,
anchorage of ships and development of ports. Deep coastline with wide continental shelves encourage
growth of plankton hence have large population of fish.
v. Capital: - a large capital base is needed to conduct large scale commercial fishing i.e. for purchasing
fishing gear, vessels and refrigeration facilities.
vi. Technology: - modern fishing gears enable fishermen to conduct fishing deep in seas/lakes/oceans.
vii. Market: - areas with large populations offer good market for the fish especially if the population is a fish
eating one.

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 viii. Labour: - fishing is highly labour intensive hence fishing thrives in areas of high population e.g. Asia,
Europe, North America, etc.
ix. Transport facilities: - large scale commercial fishing requires that the fishing grounds be served with
efficient network of roads to enable delivery of caught fish to the market when still fresh (fish is highly
perishable).

Types of Fish

 Fish can be classified according to habitat into fresh water fish and saline/salty/marine water fish. Fresh water fish
are those fish species that live in fresh inland waters – lakes, rivers & ponds/dams. They include tilapia, trout,
Nile perch, pike, eel, carp, sturgeon, dagaa, etc. Marine/salty water fish are those that live their entire lives in
saline fisheries such as ocean and seas.
 Fish can also be classified according to the communities they live into
Type of fish Description Examples
(a) Pelagic  Live near the water surface or at shallow  Herring
waters.  Tuna
 Live in large groups and move in shoals  Sardines
 They are small in size  Mackerel
 Brisling
(b) Anadromous  Fish species that are migratory in nature  Salmon
 Their movement is necessitated by safer  Pilchard
and suitable breeding grounds
(c) Demersal  Live closer to the bottom of water bodies  Cod
 They are larger in size  Cat fish
 They live singly/individually and not  Haddock
migratory  Halibut
 They feed on other small fish/sea  Flounder
animals  Dog fish
 Scate
 Hake

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Fishing Methods
 These are the techniques that are used to catch/exploit fish
 They depend on the type of fish to be caught, fishing environment and the level of technology
 They can be traditional or modern
 Traditional fishing method include
(a) Harpooning: - involves the use of spears, arrows, sticks, stones, etc. to strike the fish in shallow water. It is
commonly used in shallow waters where the fish is visible. The catch is limited hence employed for
subsistence fishing. It is dangerous in areas infested with crocodiles and hippos
(b) Use of baskets: - this involves use of woven baskets with narrow cone shaped opening used in shallow waters
and ponds. A bait (food put on a hook to catch fish) is placed inside the basket which is then laid at the
bottom of the shallow pond. Fish are attracted by the bait and get into the basket but are unable to get out. The
basket is then removed with the fish inside.
(c) Use of barriers/traps: - in areas characterized by frequent flooding, barriers made of reeds & sticks are
constructed along the river course during the floods to catch fish. The barriers hold up water containing the
fish, when the water level drops below the height of the barriers as the floods subside, the fishermen scoop the
fish out of the barriers.
(d) Use of herbs: - in calm waters, some fishermen may crush some herbs and sprinkle them in water containing
fish. These herbs make the fish unconscious as they take it in; the fishermen then collect the fish using their
hands.
(e) Hook and line: - this involves use of baited hooks attached to a line that attracts fish. Once the fish is trapped
onto the hook, the hook is pulled out together with the fish.
(f) Use of gill nets: - these are nets with meshes that only let the head of the fish through; trapping the fish by the
gills. Once the net has trapped enough fish, the fish are then taken out by hand.

Limitations of traditional fishing methods

i. The catch is very limited

ii. The methods are restricted only to shallow waters/the methods are not applicable in deep waters
iii. In case the fishing ground is infested with hippos and crocodiles, the fishermen risk attack that can lead to loss of
life.

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 Modern fishing methods are used for large scale commercial fishing. They include: -
1. Drifting
 This is used to catch pelagic fish.
 Drift nets that are held vertically in the water by fitting floats on the upper side and weights at the bottom
end of the net.
 The net is held closer to the surface where the fish swim in large shoals.
 As they (fish) try to go past the drift net, they get trapped by their gills.
 Once the net has caught enough fish, drifters/powerful boats haul it and the catch to the shore.

2. Seining
 Catches both pelagic and demersal fish
 Fishing boats assisted by smaller boats/dories spread out the seine nets with small meshes in to the
lake/sea/ocean.
 The boats remain stationary and the nets held into position using floaters on top and weights at the
bottom.
 Fish is then allowed time to get trapped into the net.
 Once the net is full, it is hauled over and the fish emptied onto the ship

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3. Trawling
 This is used to catch demersal fish that live in deep sea.
 It uses a trawl net that is pulled along by ships/trawlers along the sea bed, affecting all the fish along its
path.
 Once the net is full, it is hauled into the ship and the fish emptied on board.

4. Line Fishing
 This is commonly used to catch certain types of demersal fish in shallow waters with rugged terrain
where trawl/seine nets cannot be used.
 Long lines that are baited are sunk into depths of about 100m into the sea.
 The lines are suspended by floats on the upper ends and dragged along by small boats.
 The baited hooks in the lines attract fish hence they get caught
 The hooks are then drawn up and the fish removed on board

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Distribution of major fishing grounds of the world
- Maps on Certificate Geography and KLB Geography Book 4
- Moran Atlas
- Use the globe to show the fishing grounds

 This depends on the nature and type of the ocean currents flowing along a given coast.
 Coasts washed by cold ocean currents have a lot of fish because the resulting cool temperatures favour plankton
growth.
 Also temperate coasts where cold and warm currents converge form major fishing grounds as the warm current
moderates the temperatures making such coasts ice free.
 Indented coasts also form major fishing grounds as they provide shelter and breeding grounds for fish.
 The major fishing grounds of the world include: -
(a) Atlantic fishing grounds
(b) Pacific fishing grounds
(c) African fishing ground

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(a) Atlantic Fishing Grounds
 These are found in the Atlantic ocean
 This is further divided into
(i) North West Atlantic Fishing Ground
 This is located in the north eastern coasts of North America from the eastern coasts of Canada to New
England in the USA through the provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
 The main fish species caught here include cod, herring, haddock, mackerel and lobster.
 The fishing methods used here include seining, trawling and drifting

KLB Geography Bk 4 pp 35
Certificate Geography Bk 4 pp 37
Factors that have favored the development of North West Atlantic Fishing Ground
i. Broad and shallow continental shelf leading to flourishing of fish as it provides ideal conditions for plankton
growth.
ii. Convergence of the cold Labrador and the warm Gulf Stream currents at these grounds leads to cool temperatures
for plankton growth and making it free from ice; allowing fishing to be conducted throughout the year.
iii. Dense population especially in the USA provides ready market for the fish.
iv. Rugged landscape and cold climate in the immediate hinterland discourage agriculture leaving fishing as an
alternative economic activity.
v. Advanced technology e.g. highly developed ship building and fishing industries equipped with modern
preservation and processing facilities that allow fishing to be conducted all year round.

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(ii) North East Atlantic Fishing Ground
 This is located in the north western part of Europe
 It passes through France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Spain and Portugal
 It is the leading fish exporting region in the world
 The main fish species caught here are cod, herring and mackerel
 The main fishing methods employed along these grounds are trawling, drifting and line fishing

KLB Geography Bk 4 pp 36
Certificate Geography Bk 4 pp 38
Factors that favours fishing in the North East Atlantic fishing ground
i. High latitude ranging from temperate to polar regions; experiencing cold temperatures that encourage growth of
plankton, survival and preservation of fish. This makes it favourable for fish survival and preservation/storage of
fish.
ii. Broad and shallow continental shelf that favours the growth of planktons
iii. Indented coastline in Britain, Norway and Ireland with narrow fiords that provide sheltered waters for
development of fishing ports and breeding of fish
iv. Mountainous landscape especially in Norway does not favour agriculture making fishing the most appropriate
alternative economic activity
v. The ground is washed by the warm Atlantic Drift Current that raises the temperatures and making it ice free thus
fishing all year round

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vi. Dense population in the Western Europe provide ready market for the fish
vii. Advanced/high technology has enabled development of modern fishing equipment and preservation/processing
facilities
(iii) Fishing grounds in South Atlantic Ocean
- There are minor fishing grounds along the Atlantic coast that are found in the southern hemisphere. They
include: -
 South West African/Namibian Coast: - covers the coast of Namibia and Cape Province of the Republic
of South Africa. It is rich in fish because it is washed by the cold Benguela current; results into
upwelling of water hence rich in planktons.
 Mauritanian Coast: - this is found in the North West African Coast. It is rich in fish since it has a wide
and shallow continental shelf and presence of the cold Canary current that allows plankton growth.
 West Coast of South America: - this covers the coast of Peru in South America. It is rich in fish because
of the cold Peruvian current and the wide and shallow continental shelf.

(b) Pacific Fishing Grounds

- This is further divided into
(i) North West Pacific Fishing Ground
- This is the largest fishing ground in the world.
- It is located off the coast of North East Asia extending from Barring Sea through the sea of Okhotsk,
Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea up to East China Sea through the following countries; Japan, China,
Malaysia, Indonesia, North & South Korea and Eastern Coasts of Russia

KLB Geography Bk 4 pp 38/Certificate Geography Bk 4 pp 40

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 - The major fish species caught in these grounds are salmon, tuna, bonito, mackerel, sardine, cod,
Pollack.
- Fishing is highly developed along this ground because of the following reasons:-
1. Broad, shallow and extensive continental shelf that favours the growth of planktons
2. Convergence of the cold Oyasiwo and warm Kurosiwo currents that makes the coast ice free
allowing fishing all year round (warm Kurosiwo), provides ideal conditions for plankton growth
(cold Oyasiwo)
3. Dense population in the Asian countries that lie astride the fishing ground e.g. Japan and China
provide labour and ready market for the fish.
4. Indented North East Asian coastline with numerous islands, bays and sheltered inlets that favour
fish breeding and development of fishing ports.
5. Advanced technology especially in Japan has encouraged the development of fishing and
facilitated transport of fish e.g. through ship building and refrigeration of ships.
6. Limited agricultural potential especially in Japan and Eastern Russia with rugged landscape that
discourages agricultural development; leaving fishing as alternative source of food.

(ii) North East Pacific Fishing Ground

- This is located along the western shores of North America, stretching about 1200km from the
Alaskan coast (USA) southwards through British Columbia (Canada) to the Californian Coast (USA)
through Washington DC and Oregon states.

Certificate Geography Bk 4 pp 41

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 - Fishing is also done along the major rivers in this region e.g. Yukon, Colorado, Sacramento and
Fraser among others.
- The main fish species caught in this ground are salmon, tuna, sardines, herring, pollack, and allaska.
- Others include crabs, shrimps, oysters and prawns
- Factors favouring fishing in this ground include:
1. Indented coastlines with many fiords, rias and river estuaries that offer good sites for fish
breeding and development of fish ports.
2. The cold Californian current converges over the warm Labrador current along these grounds
resulting to cool temperature s ideal for plankton growth.
3. The coasts have several fiords that form sheltered inlets for fish breeding and development of
fishing ports
4. These grounds are free from ice all year round since the cold temperatures are moderated by the
warm Labrador Current flowing into the area. This ensures fishing throughout the year.
5. Advanced fishing technology that has provided modern fishing equipment and preservation
facilities.
(c) African Fishing Grounds
- Africa is not a major exporter and producer of fish and fish products despite having numerous rivers, lakes
and being surrounded by seas and oceans. This is because: -
a. Ocean waters are warm/coasts washed by warm ocean currents that limit plankton growth (give
example)
b. The coastlines are straight/regular thus discourages fish breeding and development of fishing ports.
(expose with an example – Indian Ocean coastline)
c. Ocean waters are shallow due to growth of corals/coral reefs
d. The continental shelves are narrow

- Fishing grounds in Africa are both marine and inland

(i) Marine Fishing Grounds
- This is done in the seas and oceans that surround the continent along the coasts of Republic of South
Africa, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Ivory Coast, Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, Mauritania and
Guinea. (Find which seas and oceans support these countries)
- The Republic of South Africa is the largest marine fish producer in Africa. due to: -
i. Convergence of cold Benguela and warm Mozambique current leads to mixing of waters – provide
nutrients and adequate conditions for planktons’ growth.
- The main fish species caught in Africa are sardines, crabs, tuna, stock fish, whales, lobsters, herring and

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 mackerel.

(ii) Inland Fishing Grounds

- This is conducted in the interior of the African continent in lakes, rivers, ponds and dams.
- It is done on small scale and for subsistence but commercial fishing is done on some lakes e.g. Victoria
but also for subsistence.
- In lakes, it is done in Victoria, Chad, Tanganyika, Kyoga, Bangweulu, Malawi, Albert and Mweru.
(Use Moran Atlas to locate these lakes)
- Human made lakes/dams for HEP production also support fishing e.g. Volta, Caborra Bassa, Kariba,
Orange, Nasser and Kainji
- The main fish species caught in lakes include herring, shell fish, cat fish, Nile perch, trout, dagaa,
tilapia and eel.
- Fishing is also done along the courses of some rivers in Africa on a small scale. These rivers include
Niger, Tana, Zambezi, Limpopo, Senegal, Congo, Nile, Pangani, Orange and Ruvuma.
- The main fish caught in the rivers are salmon and pilchard
- Fishermen in inland fishing in Africa use traditional methods where the catch is limited.

Fishing in East Africa

Fresh Water/Inland Fishing Grounds in East Africa
- In East Africa, fresh water fisheries are more developed compared to marine fishing grounds (accounts for over
50% of the total tonnage of fish catch in East Africa)
- This is due to the following reasons: -
1. There are more inland fishing grounds compared to marine fishing grounds
2. Small and narrow continental shelf of about 6km limiting plankton growth
3. Inadequate capital for buying modern marine fishing equipment.
4. Regular coastlines with few indentions/inlets for fish breeding and development of fishing ports.
5. Warm coastal waters that limit fish varieties.
6. Low demand for marine fish species compared to fresh water fish.

(a) Kenya
- The major inland fishing grounds in Kenya are Lakes Victoria, Turkana, Naivasha, and Baringo. (expose on
Lakes Nakuru, Elementaita and Magadi)
- Limited fishing is also done on ox bow lakes e.g. Kanyaboli, Shala, Bilisa, Jipe and Sare
- Some reservoirs also sustain fish e.g. Masinga, Kamburu and Kiambere

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 - Small scale fishing is also done along the lower course of rivers Tana, Nzoia, Athi, Sondu and Nyando.
- Lake Victoria is the main inland fishing ground in Kenya. The dense population in the surrounding areas offer
ready market and labour for the fishing industry.
- In Lake Victoria – the fish species are many but the most popular ones are tilapia, Nile perch, dagaa/omena
and herring.
- Tilapia and Nile perch are also popular in Lake Turkana while in the remaining lakes, tilapia is the most
popular.
- In Lake Turkana, fishing is less developed due to sparse population to offer labour and market.

(b) Uganda
- Fresh water fishing is the only type of fishing as Uganda is landlocked and is more developed compared to
compared to Kenya.
- Lake Victoria is the main fishing ground. Others include Lakes Kyoga, Edward, George, Albert and Katwe.
- Inland fishing is also done in rivers such as Kagera, Semliki, Katonga, Kafu and Nkusi among others.
- Tilapia is the main fish caught in all the lakes in Uganda. Nile perch is found in lakes Victoria, Kyoga and
Albert.
- Fishermen use motorized boats to enable them travel far into the lake where the catch is large.
- The lakes have numerous islands that provide anchoring and resting grounds for the fishermen.
- There is dense population along/around the lakes providing labour and market for the fish.
- The Ugandan Fish Marketing Cooperation has set up processing and preservation plants next to the fishing
grounds. (Fort Portal for Lake Albert (freezing plant and Jinja a processing plant where fish is filleted)

(c) Tanzania
- This is the leading fishing country in East Africa.
- Lake Victoria is the main inland fishing ground in Tanzania with popular species of tilapia, Nile perch and
dagaa.
- Other fishing grounds in Tanzania are lakes Rukwa and Malawi as well as rivers such as Malagarasi, Ruaha –
Rufiji, Ruvuma, Mara, Kagera, Wami and Nkululu.
- Fishermen use modern fishing equipment for their fishing expeditions.
- Trawling is the main method employed in catching fish
- Large population around the lakes especially towns of Bukoba, Mwanza, Musoma provide markets.
- A processing plant at Kigoma preserve and process fish for sale to other parts of the country.

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Marine fishing in East Africa
- This is carried off the coasts of Kenya and Tanzania in the Indian Ocean.
- Tanzania accounts for more tonnage of fish caught compared to Kenya although marine fishing in Tanzania and
Kenya are similar in characteristics.
- It is less developed in both the countries due to the following factors viz: -
1. Warm waters due to tropical location and the warm Mozambique current limits plankton growth and a
number of fish.
2. Narrow continental shelf and deep offshore waters.
3. Low technology and limited capital that limits marine fishing to the inshore waters.
4. Stiff competition from highly developed and industrialized nations e.g. Japan, Korea and Norway with
advanced technology.
5. Limited market due to sparse population in many coastal towns (apart from the Tanzanian islands of Pemba,
Mafia, Zanzibar)
6. Low fish eating culture among the local coastal communities.
- Fishing in both the countries is done on a small scale (Kenya – 10%, Tanzania – 13%)
- It is mainly done for subsistence.
- Fishermen use small boats/dhows – few are motorized while majority use wind
- The fish species caught are similar since the fishing grounds are linked e.g sardines, tuna, mullet, bonito, kingfish,
queen fish, barracuda (pelagic), cod, streaker, black skin, catfish (demersal) and lobsters, crabs and prawns
(crustaceans).

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Fish Farming in Kenya
- Fish farming is the keeping/rearing of fish in ponds for commercial purposes.
- Reasons for its development include:-
1. Fish farming occupies less space compared to other especially agricultural activities.
2. It is free from territorial disputes and conflicts
3. It leads to the development of related industries e.g. fish processing, canning, fertilizer making and boat
construction.
4. Creation of job/employment opportunities – building and management of the fish ponds/farms
5. Fish is a source of food/supplement animal protein.
6. Some fish in the ponds e.g. trout are exported hence earn foreign exchange.
7. Allows better and maximum utilization of land and water resources especially swamps/dams with no
agricultural use.
8. It is less exposed to dangers of deep sea or lake fishing-storms, drowning.
9. It assists in the conservation of rare fish species, which might face the danger of depletion or extinction.

Ways through which the government is encouraging fish farming in Kenya

 Provision of technical and financial assistance to fish farmers by the Ministry of Livestock.
 Setting up demonstration farms/hatcheries to sensitize on proper management of fish farms through the Lake
Basin Development Authority.
 Government’s food policy encourages communities to set up fish farms as part of millennium development
goals/embrace fish eating culture.

Significance of fishing
1. Fishing creates employment opportunities directly as fishermen or indirectly through fish related industries.
2. Source of medicine & cooking fat e.g. cod liver oil, Scotts emulsion.
3. It has led to economic diversification by providing alternative source of food & income hence reducing
overdependence on agriculture.
4. Fishing has led to the development of fishing ports and fishing villages and towns e.g. the ones along the shores
of Lake Victoria.
5. Source of food – relatively cheaper source of proteins and vitamins compared to meat/beef.
6. Industrialization: - fish related resources and activities provide raw materials for related industries e.g. fertilizer
and animal feeds making, lubricants, medicines, cosmetics, fish processing, net and boat making, canning, etc.
7. Infrastructural development – promotes development of feeder roads that link the fishing grounds to the main
roads, provision of electricity, etc.

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Problems facing Fishing in Kenya and their possible solutions

1. Environmental limitations: - tropical location hence warm waters which limit the number and variety of fish in
marine fisheries.
Solution: - increasing research to get varieties of fish species that can survive under these tropical conditions and
introduce them in our fishing grounds. These research centres include Fresh Water Research Station – Nairobi,
Sagana Fish Farming Centre – Kirinyaga and Marine Fisheries Research Station - Mombasa
2. Over fishing/overexploitation of fish resources – this is caused by indiscriminate fishing/overharvesting of
fisheries, through the use of small meshed nets, seining and trawling. It endangers the natural replacement of
certain species since with time the fish species reduce because young fish are not allowed time to mature.
Solution: - More vigilant surveillance of the fisheries, licensing of fishermen to control their numbers and
activities, restocking overfished areas, prohibiting use of small meshed gill nets, introduction of fish farming to
reduce overdependence on natural fisheries, banning/prohibiting fishing for some time to let the fish regenerate.
3. Pollution: - of fisheries by industrial and agricultural wastes, sewage disposal and oil spillage make the water less
habitable for plankton growth and thriving of fish. This reduces the amount of fish.
Solution: - strict legislation should be put in place to check disposal of industrial wastes into fishing grounds,
industries are encouraged to treat their wastes before releasing them into lakes and rivers
4. Poaching & competition from well-developed fishing nations: - fishermen from Asia and Europe using
advanced equipment and fishing methods reduce the amount of fish. Also the fish and sales proceeds land back in
their countries.
Solution: - the KWS patrols the Indian Ocean to monitor and restrict stray fishermen from Kenyan waters –
arrest and confiscate their fishing equipment.
5. Presence of water weeds: - some fishing grounds e.g. Lake Victoria is infested with water hyacinth along the
lake shores. This chokes the fishing boats and hinders the fishermen from reaching far areas with a lot of fish.
Solution: - local community, county governments, NGOs and the government to make attempts in removing the
weeds from the lake
6. Inadequate capital: - most fishermen in Kenya use traditional methods of fishing that limits their catch due to
lack of adequate capital for purchasing advanced fishing equipment and refrigeration facilities.
Solution: - provision of loans to the fishermen through financial institutions and government agencies,
encouraging fishermen to form cooperatives so as to assist them in raising the required capital.
7. Poorly developed transport network: - some roads leading to the fishing grounds area poorly maintained and
impassable during the rainy season. This leads to delay in delivery of caught fish to the processing plants/factories
hence go bad since fish is highly perishable.
Solution: - government is making efforts to improve/develop the roads leading to such grounds, local fishermen
through their Saccos to purchase refrigerated vehicles to facilitate transport, fishermen to use other methods of

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 preserving fish e.g. salting, smoking, and drying to preserve fish
8. Limited market: - the demand for fish in the country is small because; fish eating is less popular with most
communities, some fishing grounds e.g. Lake Turkana are located in sparsely populated areas and fish is more
expensive compared to other sources of protein.
Solution: - the government should encourage the local communities to embrace fish eating as an alternative to
red meat – through establishment of fish farms.
9. Accidents within the lakes & ocean: - sometimes during the year, fishing boats and canoes capsize to the lakes
and in Indian Ocean due to strong winds and prevailing storms. This leads to loss of fishing equipment and even
life. The fishermen are therefore prohibited from venturing into far waters with a lot of catch and variety.
Solution: - fishermen are encouraged to use bigger boats that are motorized; these can withstand storms and
strong winds
10. Inter boundary conflicts: - sometimes, Kenyan fishermen are arrested by Uganda and Tanzania authorities for
straying into their waters along the boundary of Lake Victoria. They often lose their catch and fishing equipment.
Solution: - Kenyan policemen to patrol the boundaries to ensure the fishermen remain within the Kenyan waters.
11. Lack of fish cooperatives: - most fishermen do not belong to fish cooperatives through which they can market
their catch. They therefore sell their catch through middlemen hence realize marginal profits.
Solution: - fishermen should be encouraged to form and join fish cooperatives to assist them market their catch,
get funds/acquire loans to improve their fishing practices.

Fishing in Japan
- Japan is the leading fish producer and exporter in the world (it accounts for 15% of the world’s total catch)
- It is located in the North West Pacific Fishing ground.
- Fishing is done around all port cities of Japan but the major fishing ports are Nagoya, Nagasaki, Kushiro, Osaka,
Yokohama,

Factors favouring fishing in Japan

1. Japan has many naturally indented coastlines provides well-sheltered grounds for breeding of fish as well as
suitable sites for port construction.
2. The rugged and mountainous terrain limits agricultural activities hence fishing is a viable economic activity.
3. The shallow and extensive continental shelf allows sunlight to penetrate thus encourages growth of planktons.
4. The convergence of warm Kurosiwo and the cold Oyashio ocean currents helps produce ideal breeding grounds
for fish/upwelling of ocean water bring planktons to the surface.
5. Ready market from the densely populated neighboring Asian countries e.g China and Korea.
6. Presence of advanced technology has led to use of powered trawlers, refrigerated vessels fitted with processing

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 plants.
7. Long history of fishing and sea going culture of the Japanese people.

- In Japan, fishing is highly developed and mechanized. The fishermen use radars that locate specific areas with
large shoals of fish.
- Japanese fishermen use long lines, trawling and seining methods to catch fish.
- The fish caught is sold as fresh, canned, dried and frozen.
- The fish is consumed locally. The large Japanese population (above 130million) provides ready market for the
fish.
- Others are exported.
- Popular fish species caught: -
 In the cooler northern seas – cod, salmon, herring, halibut, allaskan and pollack
 In the warmer southern waters – sardines, mackerel and tuna
 Others include crabs, oysters, lobsters and octopuses
- Fishing and marketing of fish is done by cooperatives formed by the fishermen. These cooperatives advance loans
to the fishermen to improve and expand their fishing activities.
- Fish farming is also practiced in fresh water ponds and dams. The factors that favour fish farming in Japan
include
1. Over fished natural fisheries leading to depletion of certain species hence need for fish farms where such
species are reared.
2. Need to supplement natural supplies to meet increased demand locally and externally.
3. Industrial pollution of the sea has rendered seawater unsuitable for fish breeding.
4. Availability of capital to establish fish farms.
5. Extensive research has enabled fish farmers to successfully rear appropriate fish species.

Comparison between fishing in Kenya and Japan

Similarities
i. Fish farming is done in both the countries
ii. Cooperative societies for fishermen is practiced in both countries
iii. Marine fishing done in both countries; similar species e.g. sardines, tuna, etc.

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Differences
i. In Kenya both marine and inland fishing is done while in Japan only marine fishing is carried out.
ii. Marine fishing is confined to Kenyan territorial waters only while in Japan marine fishing extends beyond the
territorial waters up to high seas.
iii. The marine fisheries in Kenya have few/limited fish and species whereas in Japan, the fishing ground is richer
with a variety of species.
iv. In Kenya, marine fishing is done on a small scale based on simple technology and use of traditional methods
whereas in Japan fishing is done on a large scale based on advanced technology and use of modern fishing
methods.

Problems facing fishing industry in Japan

i. Depletion of some fish species due to overexploitation as a result of high demand for them locally and abroad.
ii. Overfishing due to use of highly advanced technology.
iii. Water pollution through oil spillages from fishing vessels lead to reduction of fish species.

Management & Conservation of Fish and Fisheries

Management: - refers to the effective planning and control of fish resources and their habitats. It is done through: -
a. Licensing of fishermen to control their fishing activities and to regulate their numbers.
b. Banning of fishing especially when overexploitation is detected on a particular fishing ground so as to give the
young fish time to mature and breed/restricting fishing to specific seasons to allow for breeding and maturing of
fish. This ensures mature regeneration of fish.
c. Standardizing the size of nets used in fishing to ensure only the mature fish are harvested
d. Intensifying research to learn more about fish species, their habitats, breeding habits, food requirements,
migratory behavior and life span.

Conservation: - refers to the careful use and exploitation of fish resources to avoid overexploitation. It includes:-
a. Encouraging fish farming to supplement the fish caught in natural fishing grounds/reduce overdependence on
natural fisheries.
b. Control of foreign fishermen by monitoring their expeditions through KWS patrols and licensing their entry into
the Kenyan waters especially Indian Ocean.
c. Restricting disposal of untreated waste into the water bodies to ensure the water remains ideal for survival of
fish/industries to treat their wastes before disposing to water bodies.
d. Improving transport system through construction of roads connecting the major fishing grounds and the markets
to reduce overexploitation.

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e. Restocking the over fished areas using hatcheries and fingerlings obtained from Lake Basin Development
Authority or overstocked grounds.
f. The law of the sea that restricts fishing in the exclusive zones ensures the protection of marine fisheries from
external exploitation.

Significance of the international law that limits territorial waters of each country to a distance of 320km
The zone is useful for security/ military purposes.
The law ensures that countries have an extensive sea frontage from which they can exploit marine resources.
It reduces competition for marine resources especially from the developed countries with advanced technology to
exploit the resources over wide areas.
It makes countries with large expanses of the sea but fewer industries to be free from international pollution.

Revision Questions on Fishing

1. (a) Differentiate between fishing and fisheries.
- Fishing is the act of harvesting of fish and other aquatic resources for economic purposes while fisheries
are water bodies or areas where fish and other aquatic resources are reared or caught

(b) Explain four reasons why the major fishing grounds of the world are found in the temperate regions of the
northern hemisphere.
- The areas have shallow waters/continental shelf for aeration and penetration of light hence plenty of
planktons.
- They have wide and extensive continental shelf, which favours flourishing of fish.
- Cool waters which suits for growth of more commercial species of fish.
- Convergence of cold and warm ocean currents near the coast causing upwelling of waters, which bring
fish food to the surface. Cool conditions favor growth of planktons.
- Highly indented coastlines provide well-sheltered grounds for breeding of fish.
- The fiorded coastlines are suitable sites for construction of fishing ports.
- The rugged landscape limit agriculture hence fishing is a viable economic alternative.
- The dense population of the region provides ready market and labor.
- Availability of advanced technology has led to the development of vessels with radars and processing
plants.

2. The map provided shows the major fishing grounds of the world. Study it and use it to answer the questions (a),
(b) and (c).

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 (a) Identify and name the fishing grounds labeled X and Y.
- X: - West Coast of South America
- Y: - North East Atlantic
(b) Explain four conditions that favour fishing in the grounds labeled Z.
- Broad, shallow and extensive continental shelf that favours the growth of planktons
- Convergence of the cold Oyasiwo and warm Kurosiwo currents that makes the coast ice free allowing
fishing all year round (warm Kurosiwo), provides ideal conditions for plankton growth (cold Oyasiwo)
- Dense population in the Asian countries that lie astride the fishing ground e.g. Japan and China provide
labour and ready market for the fish.
- Indented North East Asian coastline with numerous islands, bays and sheltered inlets that favour fish
breeding and development of fishing ports.
- Advanced technology especially in Japan has encouraged the development of fishing and facilitated
transport of fish e.g. through ship building and refrigeration of ships.
- Limited agricultural potential especially in Japan and Eastern Russia have rugged landscape that
discourage agricultural development; leaving fishing as alternative food source.
(c) Identify and name the ocean currents labeled V and W.
- V: - Kurosiwo
- W: - Peruvian Current
(d) State three factors that influence the growth of planktons.
- Presence of shallow waters
- Presence of cool waters with temperatures not exceeding 200C
- Presence of nutrients deposited by rivers and ice
- Well oxygenated water.
3. (a) Name three lakes and three rivers where inland fishing is carried out in East Africa

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 (b) Explain four reasons why inland fishing is more developed compared to marine fishing in East Africa.
4. With the aid of clearly labeled diagrams, describe the following methods of modern fishing
(a) Trawling
(b) Seining
(c) Drifting
5. Citing two examples in each case, describe three types of fish
6. (a) State four ways through which fishing contributes to the economy of Kenya
(b) List three uses of fish resources
7. (a) Explain six problems that face the fishing industry in Kenya
(b) State five ways in which the Kenya government attempts to solve the problems facing small scale
fishermen
8. The map provided below shows some fishing grounds in East Africa. Study and use it to answer the questions that
follow.

(a) Name the fishing ground marked 4, 5 and 6

(b) Name three fish species caught in the fishing ground labeled 3
(c) Explain four problems that face fishermen along the ground marked 2
(d) State two reasons why the fishing ground labeled 1 is less developed

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9. The diagrams below show some traditional methods of fishing. Use them to answer the questions that follow

(a) Name the fishing method shown in figure 1

(b) State three disadvantages of using the fishing method shown in figure 2
(c) Other than the two methods shown in figures 1 and 2, name four other methods of traditional fishing
10. (a) Outline four advantages of fish farming
(b) Explain four ways in which the government of Keya is encouraging fish farming.
11. Explain five measures that the government of Kenya has put in place to promote the fishing industry
12. (a) Differentiate between management and conservation of fisheries
(b) Give three measures of management and three measures of conservation of fishing grounds used in
Kenya
13. Outline three significance of the international law that limits territorial waters of each country to a distance of
320km.
14. Explain four physical conditions, which make Japan a major fishing ground
15. (a) Explain four physical factors that account for the concentration of major fisheries in the temperate
Northern regions.
(b) (i) Apart from trawling, name three other commercial methods of fishing
(ii) State three factors that limit the use of trawling as a fishing method
(c) Give three significance of the international law that governs territorial waters of each country.
(d) (i) Highlight four ways in which the government of Kenya is promoting Fish farming
(ii) Apart from Fish farming, mention four methods of conserving fisheries.

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16. The table below shows Kenya’s quantity of fish/marine resources harvested between the year 1999 and 2003. Use
it to answer the questions which follow
Fish Harvested – Quantities are in Tonnes
Fish Harvested 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
(Fresh Water Fish)
Lake Victoria 200, 153 192, 738 151, 804 114, 812 132, 561
Lake Turkana 5, 239 2, 108 3, 787 4, 004 4, 328
Lake Naivasha 449 384 5 95 110
Lake Baringo 406 463 117 0 0
Lake Jipe 101 54 65 78 96
Tana River Dams 1, 196 364 232 569 673
Fish Farms 984 967 998 962 1, 109
Other Area 913 798 802 846 934
Total 209, 441 197, 876 157, 810 121, 366 139, 811
(Marine Water Resources)
Marine Fish 4, 125 3, 779 5, 141 5, 570 6, 289
Crustaceans 881 777 1, 033 939 1, 164
Other Marine Products 265 207 277 352 401
GRAND TOTALS 214, 712 202, 639 164, 261 128, 227 147, 665

(a) Calculate the following

(i) The total tonnage of fresh water fish harvests in Kenya between 1999 and 2003
(ii) The percentage contribution of marine water resources to Kenya’s grand total of fish harvests between
1999 and 2003.
(b) (i) Construct a simple bar graph to represent the total quantity of fresh water fish harvested in Kenya
between 1999 and 2003. Use a vertical scale of 1cm to represent 20, 000 tonnes.
(ii) State two limitations of using simple bar graphs to represent statistical data
(c) Explain how the following factors have led to the development of commercial fishing in Japan.
(i) Relief
(ii) Technology
(iii) Market
(d) Explain two ways by which the government of Kenya promotes fish farming

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17. The diagram below shows one of the world’s major fishing grounds. Study it and use it to answer questions (a)
and (b)

(a) (i) Name the fishing ground shown in the map

(ii) Name the fishing ports marked S and T
(b) Explain three factors favouring fishing in the shaded area on the map
(c) (i) Name two fish species caught using long line method in Lake Victoria
(ii) State three factors that make Lake Victoria the major inland fishing ground in East Africa
(d) (i) Give three reasons why fresh water fish catch is declining in Kenya in recent years
(ii) Name four methods of preserving fish in Kenya.

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