Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) is a State Corporation established in 1979 by the Science and Technology Act, Cap 250 of the Laws of Kenya, which has since been repealed by the Science, Technology and Innovation Act No. 28 of 2013 which has recognized KMFRI as a national research institution under section 56, fourth schedule. KMFRI's mandate is to undertake research in "marine and freshwater fisheries, aquaculture, environmental and ecological studies, and marine research including chemical and physical oceanography", in order to provide scientific data and information for sustainable development of the Blue Economy........[Read more]
RV Mtafiti is a deep sea research vessel donated by the Belgium Government and commissioned by HE President Uhuru Kenyatta on January 27, 2014. The vessel, whose length is 55.6m, is a multi-disciplinary oceanographic research vessel that plays a crucial role in the collection of ocean data and information in support of research into understanding the physical, chemical, and biological processes in the ocean as well as the scientific study of the role of the oceans in weather and climate. RV Mtafiti is therefore designed for fisheries acoustic research, oceanographic, hydrographic and geological investigations.
The vessel is equipped with two research laboratories: a biological and fisheries laboratory, and an oceanography and chemical research laboratory. It can therefore conduct:
1. Fish stock assessment surveys
2. Ocean productivity surveys
3. Marine biodiversity surveys
4. Environmental & pollution monitoring
5. Seabed mapping
6. Benthic mapping
7. Sediment surveys