The government has issued a statement on its stand over the first Kenyan flagged industrial fishing vessel which President William Ruto announced would bring in Ksh4 billion every year.
The Principal Secretary State Department for The Blue Economy and Fisheries, Betsy Njagi, has dispelled claims that the vessel has been engaging in illegal activities.
Following Ruto’s announcement, Kenyans unearthed alleged reports that the ship had earlier been flagged by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2022 for illegal, unreported, and unregulated Tuna fishing.
Additionally, reports indicated that the ship, Purse Seiner, was a Spanish registered vessel.
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Principal Secretary Explains Legitimacy of the Vessel
However, the PS has stated that the ship has been authorized to operate in the Indian Ocean Territory.
Further, she has refuted claims of illegal activities noting that no vessel can fish for tuna and tuna like species without the authorization.
“No vessel can fish for tuna and tuna like species without the authorization. Flag states are responsible for the vessels in the Record of Authorized Vessels and have the right to control their operations and report to IOTC,” she stated.
She has explained that incase of illegal activities, the flag state, Kenya in this case, ought to take action against the vessel.
“Catches from these vessels belong to the countries which have flagged them. In case of any wrongdoing by a flagged vessel, the flag state is expected to take actions as per the country’s regulations,” Betsy Njagi added.
Also Read: Ruto Announces Industrial Vessel Set to Earn Kenya Ksh4 Billion per Year
Ruto Issues Statement on the Vessel
Speaking in Mombasa County on Friday, July 26, Ruto said that the vessel would bring in Ksh4 billion every year through fishing, adding that it was already operational.
According to him, the deep-sea fishing vessel which has since been granted a fishing license by the government will have the capacity of handling 10,000 tons of fish per year.
Further, the Head of State said that he envisions the country to have in between twelve to fifteen such industrial vessels within a three-year period, which he said will boost harvesting of fish among other sectors of the Blue Economy.
“For the first time in the history of Kenya, we have granted a license to the first sea industrial vessel. We have licensed as the government of Kenya to do deep sea industrial fishing which will bring us 10,000 tons per year with returns of four billion shillings,
“We have licensed the first deep sea industrial vessel, and it is already flying the Kenyan flag high at the sea,” said Ruto.
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