RESEARCH MANDATE
The research mandate of KMFRI is defined by article No. 4 of the Science and Technology Act of 1979, Cap 250. The Institute is empowered to carry out research in Marine and Freshwater fisheries, Aquatic biology, Aquaculture, Environmental Chemistry, Ecological, Geological and Hydrological studies, as well as Chemical and Physical Oceanography. Elaborately, the role of KMFRI include:
- Research on fish population dynamics and general water ecology, including identification of commercially and ecologically important species, their distribution and stock assessment.
- Collecting and disseminating scientific information on fisheries resources which will form the basis for their utilization.
- Studying and isolating suitable fish species for culture both in marine and freshwater and develop or adopt rearing technology and procedures;
- Establishing a marine and freshwater collection to be used for research and training purposes;
- Carrying out studies on other marine and freshwater resources including algae and minerals;
- Offering its facilities for training of personnel;
- Monitoring pollution in fresh and marine waters;
- Study chemical and physical processes identified as important to aquatic productivity;
- Carry out socio-economic research on topics related to fisheries environment and other aquatic resources.
SPECIFIC RESEARCH ROLE FOR KMFRI
According to the Ministry of Research, Technical Training and Technology, Research Development Strategies: 1990-2010, the research activities of KMFRI have to be targeted on fisheries, aquaculture and their related subjects which will ensure the rational exploitation and sustainability of the fisheries resources.
The highlighted research areas are:
- Appropriate technology for fishing in the deep seas, lakes and rivers;
- Efficient system of transportation, processing, storage, preservation and marketing of fish and fishery products, to make them acceptable to local and export markets;
- Utilization of fish by-products;
- Utilization of idle tidal lands for mariculture farms;
- Identification of species for fish culture adaptable to local conditions including disease control methods and integration of fish farming with other farming systems
- Marine pollution and its effects on fish and other living marine resources and
- Valorization of the 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone legitimized by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (1982).
RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
KMFRI adopted a Programme approach in research based on 6 research programmes i.e.
- Aquaculture Programme
- Environment and Ecology Programme
- Fisheries Programme
- Information and Database Programme.
- Natural Products Programme
- Socio-economic Programme
Following these research programmes the research profiles for the marine and coastal waters and inland water divisions are as briefly summarized:-
Marine and Coastal Water
Fisheries Programme
- Assessment of the Malindi-Ungwana Bay fishery.
- Fisheries Resource evaluation and management options for the Shimoni – Vanga – Diani area.
- Fish landing statistics along the Kenyan Coast.
- Biology of key commercial species and non-conventional fisheries
- Deep sea and offshore pelagic and demersal fisheries.
Aquaculture Programme
- Identification of suitable culture organisms and appropriate technology for culture.
- Development of fry or seed production capabilities.
- Aquaculture nutrition.
- Fish health and disease management.
- Genetics and selective breeding
Environment and Ecology Programme
- Nearshore circulation in relation to fisheries
- Estuarine and tidal circulation in mangrove fringed creeks.
- Water quality in relation to fisheries and environmental health in coastal ecosystems (mangroves, seagrass and corals).
- Harmful algae
- Productivity studies in relation to fisheries and aquaculture.
- Biodiversity studies of critical habitat (coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests).
- Shoreline change and mitigation.
Natural Products Programme
- Extraction and identification of bioactive compounds (suitable for biomedical, nutritional research)
- Fish quality assurance research.
- Phycolloids research using sea-weeds.
- Chitin and chitosan research using crustaceans.
Socio-economic Programme
- Performance of fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
- Relationship between marine and coastal resources and the rising human induced pressures.
Information and Data management Programme
- Data management activities: development of electronic data catalogues and products.
- Information management: Develop appropriate information technology including GIS, web-based data and information access capability.
- International marine data and information exchange.
- Establishment of a functional data center for development of electronic data catalogues and products.
- Development of data, information network and adoption of appropriate information technology.
Fisheries Programme
- Catch and effort assessment surveys (L. Victoria, L. Turkana, L. Naivasha and L. Baringo).
- Stock assessment of Inland water fisheries (L. Victoria, L. Turkana, L. Naivasha and L. Baringo).
- Fish biology and ecology.
- Fish kills, diseases and infestations.
Aquaculture Programme
- Hatchery development.
- Production of quality seed.
- Development of cost effective culture systems.
- Participatory technology development and transfer.
Environment and ecology Programme
- Pollution status of inland waters.
- Relationship of fish quality, occasional fish kills and the quality of the aquatic environment.
- Impact of water hyacinth infestation.
- Water circulation around Mbita causeway in relation to fisheries and water quality.
Natural products programme
- Total quality assurance of fish and fishery products
- Identification of bioproducts from aquatic resources – plants and animals.
- Reduction of post harvest losses.
Socio-economic Programme
- Sustainable Management of inland aquatic resources with greater community participation.
- Improved living standards of communities dependent on aquatic resources through better management of fish farming, marketing and development projects.