Status of Fish Health and Biosecurity Management Systems in Kenya's Aquaculture Production Units. A Case of Government Authenticated Fish Hatcheries.
Authors: Syanya Fredrick Juma , Mathia Wilson Munala 
Published: January 2023

Kenya is currently Africa's fourth-largest producer of aquaculture. Ranked 66th among the top 100 countries in the world in aquaculture production. Because of insufficient quality fingerlings production systems, farmers have been forced to stock fingerlings whose quality cannot be verified. The government through Kenya fisheries service has initiated the process of authenticating and registering all fish seeds Hatcheries units in the country to ensure Biosecurity and fish health quality standard upholds and skewed towards the local farmer. The question that still remain un answered is, are the status of these hatcheries to the required quality standards? Research study was therefore conducted to unearth the current status of these Hatcheries on biosecurity and fish health management issues during fingerling production. Primary data was collected using questionnaires, direct interviews across 21 counties where these hatcheries are distributed between September to November 2022. Data was obtained from 61 hatchery managers from target population of 80 Hatcheries authenticated. Random sampling technique was used to identify the hatcheries. The data collected was analyzed through excel and presentation was purely by graphical and Tabulation methods for simplicity in interpretation to common fish farmer in Kenya. According to the findings majority of the hatcheries produced tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings both monosex and mixed sex, African cat fish Clarias gariapinus fingerlings, trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Common carps (Cyprinus carpio) were also produced by some hatcheries. On biosecurity status It was observed that Record keeping, limiting visitors’ movement in the hatchery, cleaning of Hatchery units and removal of dead fries were perfect biosecurity measures undertaken by 58 Hatcheries (85.29%), 58 hatcheries (85.29%), 57 Hatcheries (83.82%), and 57 hatcheries (83.82%) respectively. on source of broodstock the hatchery managers obtained their broodstock mainly from Kenya marine fisheries research institute as indicated by 38 hatcheries (62.29%),13 Hatcheries (21.31%) obtained from other hatcheries. On diseases outbreak 52 hatcheries managers (86.66%) had so far recorded an incident of fish disease during the production cycle. Where majority of hatchery managers 55 Hatcheries (90.16%) report disease cases at the county government fisheries offices, 40 Hatchery managers (65.57%) reported to Kenya fisheries service offices. No cases of the Tilapia lake Virus disease have been so far reported in Kenyan Hatcheries. However, the most common disease was mainly nutrition-related diseases as recorded by 33 Hatchery managers (54.09%) followed by fish Gill rot, and Dropsy diseases by 23 Hatcheries (37.70%) and 22 hatcheries (36.06%) respectively. Financial problems were a major drawback for hatchery operations as reported by 61 hatchery managers (100%) followed by Lack of experienced manpower at the hatchery and lack of knowledge about diseases as indicated by 56 (91.80%). Inconclusion It is crucial to educate fish hatchery and farm owners specialized in fingerling production on the policies, procedures, and practices linked to biosecurity and fish health management in order to assure fish farmers of the best quality fingerling supply. The recommendation drawn was that Fish farmers should put into utilisation of the existing Hatcheries in the country as their number one source of quality fingerlings and brood stocks. The county government and Kenya fisheries service should also frequently organize trainings on emerging issues on fish health management and new disease outbreak