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{
    "id": 633895,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/633895/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 293,
    "type": "other",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in Clause 39, there is the role of the Director General and the institution; consultation with the counties and other stakeholders to develop guidelines and standards for development of fisheries management, plans that must conform with the Act which include identifying the resources, assessment of standards of exploitation, management measures and so on. I do not want to read it in details. It is up to us to do that. Clause 40 talks about fisheries management measures which include measures that are related to conservation and management of the fisheries. It talks about a closed season and where fishing is prohibited, limitation of use of nets and the size of those nets. These are very important provisions in international law because one of the reasons why there has been exhaustion of all the resources in terms of fishing is that if you use very fine nets, you will clear all the aquatic life. The future generation of the aquatic life will be destroyed. We also have preservation and protection of species like aquatic plants among others. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Clause 42 provides for permitted and prohibited fishing gear and methods. Those fishing whether from international waters or locally must conform to those standards. Part VI outlines provisions related to the import, export, trade and marketing of fish and fish products. This is a sector that we must take care of. If we must make these resources useful to our people, we must look for the relevant market abroad. That is also the role of the institution; to ensure that they find out market for our fish farmers; the Kenya Fisheries Service and the Director General’s office does its job to ensure that fish farmers, exporters and importers conform to certain standards; particularly, for us because we have an improperly exploited sector. We will ensure that we develop markets abroad which will assist our farmers. Part VII addresses fish quality and safety. I talked about it earlier in the sanitary and vital sanitary standards; that we must follow the laid down Government procedures related to safety standards that will ensure that – and also harmonization of fish safety and quality standards so that you do not have standards that are different from various types of aquatic life but also in different parts of the country so that they are harmonized. There is also development of aquaculture which is the equivalent of agriculture. I am told that one of the areas where we have the highest rate of fish farming in this country, the former Central Province, does not have a lake or sea. This is because fish ponds and fish farming have become very lucrative. This is due to supply of fish to those who are living in urban areas and the increased urbanization that is around the former Central Province. Therefore, it is important to identify suitable methods, species of fish and aquaculture and many other mechanisms that must be put in place. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Clause 63 talks about collaboration with county governments. This is very important for us as a Senate. That, aquaculture development becomes a factor that will be promoted by our counties so that we can reach the local areas of our counties dealing with matters of livelihood, culture and traditions of local communities requires also collaboration of the county governments. The county’s responsibility to monitor non-commercial agricultural activities in Clause 65 is provided therein. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there are many other provisions in that part but if we can move a little bit faster. As I said, this is a bulky Bill; many of us can pick various sectors. Part IX talks about information and data records. The Kenya Fisheries Service must keep data and information to inform us where we have more fish, proper land, research, storage, food The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}