A recent study warns that cage fish farming harms the environment. It causes eutrophication, spreads diseases, reduces biodiversity, and lowers water quality.
On Lake Victoria, cages sit a few metres from the shore. Farmers build them with nets, drums, tubes, mesh, anchors, and ropes. This method has long helped meet rising demand for fish protein.
However, fish stocks in the lake are shrinking. Reports link the decline to overfishing, pollution, and unregulated practices. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows a sharp fall in production. Output dropped from 86,400 tonnes in 2022 to 70,300 tonnes in 2023. Kenya produces only 135,000 tonnes a year against a demand of 500,000 tonnes, leaving a deficit of 365,000 tonnes.
The review assessed both benefits and risks of cage farming. It boosts food security and provides income. Yet, it also creates challenges. Waste from uneaten feed and faecal matter pollutes surrounding waters. Nutrient buildup triggers algal blooms and cloudy water. In severe cases, oxygen loss kills aquatic life. The waste also spreads pathogens and fuels water hyacinth growth.
The study stresses that sustainability requires strict controls. Better waste management and monitoring systems are necessary. It calls for a clear strategy to balance aquaculture growth with the health of aquatic ecosystems.
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