Fish diseases and health investment needs for the aquaculture sector in Kenya

Abstract

Aquaculture plays an important role in the provision of food, livelihood and source of income in Kenya. There is a rapid shift from extensive methods to semi- intensive and intensive culture methods with the potential to produce higher output. However, intensification in aquaculture comes with risks of diseases. In recent years, there has been an increase in emerging and re-emerging diseases in aquaculture. Increased occurrence of diseases in aquaculture production systems leads to reduced profits, affecting the social and economic sustainability of aquaculture. To mitigate the negative impact of fish diseases in aquaculture, rapid discovery, characterization, and diagnosis of causative agents and risk factors are crucial for the development of effective control measures. There is need for investment in skilled personnel/researchers, well-equipped and dedicated laboratories, routine surveillance, development of relevant prophylactics, biopesticides and chemo-therapeutants, quarantine facilities. Furthermore, developing the institutional capacity governing aquatic animal health issues and improving the linkages between various stakeholders in the aquatic animal health issues nationally and beyond will be critical in improving fish health and disease control in the aquaculture sector in Kenya.