Fishermen accompanied by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho display one of the fish caught during MV001's first deep sea venture. [Photo: Hassan Joho/ facebook.com]
The county government of Mombasa will roll out an elaborate plan to jack the fishing industry and create more jobs for Mombasa residents, Governor Hassan Joho said.
Joho said the industry has potential to grow riding on local and international tourists visiting the region.“I am committed to construct more boats to assist local fishermen to venture into deep sea fishing during my second term as governor,” he said on Friday when he met fishermen at his campaign secretariat.“MV 001 has been a big success for fishermen who are now raking in huge profits compared to the days when most of them depended on out dated fishing methods.In January 2015, Mombasa Fisheries Department Chief Executive Anthony Njaramba said the county will invest in the industry and facilitate formation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (Saccos) for at least 2,000 fishing stakeholders.He said the Saccos’ formation will be rolled out beginning March 2015 and will be expected to boost earnings by giving fishermen greater price negotiation and help the acquire modern fishing gear.“The county government will also offer more women cheap loans to expand the fish business besides constructing shades for them,” Joho said.He said the count government will purchase each of the Beach Management Units in Mombasa a boat to help increase their catch.Fishermen, the county chief added, will undergo a six-month training course before they are issued with coxswain certificates to enable them operate modern fishing boats and venture into deep sea fishing.