ASSESSING THE PERFORMANCE OF ALTERNATIVE FISHING BAITS TO WILD Marphysa mossambica ON SELECTED HABITATS ALONG MTWAPA CREEK, KENYA

Abstract

This research investigates fish populations, the craft of artisanal fishers, the impact of bait harvesting on sustainability of fishery along Mtwapa creek, along the Kenyan coastline. The Kenyan coastline has a narrow but productive inshore fishing area. Seasonal winds, particularly the northeast and southeast monsoons, limit fishery activities. The study focused on the role of fisheries in rural and peri-urban communities, the contribution of artisanal fisheries to the national Gross National Product (GDP), the growth of artisanal fisher’s population, and the exploitation of polychaete worm (Marphysa mossambica) as the primary bait source. Additionally, the study examines fish populations in the location of the study. The potential for introducing alternative baits was also assessed aiming at transforming fishing practices to aid ecosystem restoration efforts. The research was carried out along Mtwapa creek (30 57'00''S 390 44'40''E) within four zonation’s: The reef, sandy shores, rocky shores and muddy-mangrove shores. Data was subjected to Catch per Unit effort (CPUE) treatment which considered factors like soaking time, detachment, and catch; the bait with the shortest soaking time and detachment was deemed superior. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was also used to assess the fish populations across the four zones. A total of 320 fishing episodes were monitored, involving Hermetia illucens larvae, Cultured Marphysa mossambica , Lumbricus terrestris , and Wild Marphysa mossambica. The occasions resulted in landing 103 fish, with a catch rate of 32.2%. The landing consisted of 20 fish species, mainly dominated by Lethrinus variagatus (15.6%), Lethrinus obsoletus (2.8%), and Caseo caerulaurea (2.8%). Cultured M. mossambica (2.77±0.22 hr) and L. terrestris (1.44±0.11 hr) had the longest fishing duration compared to H. illucens larvae (0.36±0.04 hr) for wild M. mossambica (0.25±0.04). The research documented the catch per unit effort (CPUE) of four baits: H. illucens larvae, L. terrestris, wild, and cultured M. mossambica which performed well in all study locations, with both cultured and wild M. mossambica varieties recording significant landing rates, suggesting their consideration by the fishing community. Cultured M. mossambica, in particular, could reduce pressure and damage to the nearshore ecosystem, as well as shorten fishing time for the fisher community. The sandy shores and rocky shore had higher populations with high diversity of fish. The recommendations would be that the four habitats (Zones) are well endowed with fish and therefore should be exploited for landings however, conservation efforts should be enhanced to ensure that the intertidal zones are restored to which will result in increased fish populations hence increased catch and incomes for Artisanal fisher households.