CONTRIBUTION OF ARTISANAL FISHERS IN PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES IN KWALE COUNTY, KENYA

The Western Indian Ocean needs sustainable marine resource management because it protects both ecological systems and the economic stability of coastal communities. The fishery resources in Kwale County, Kenya, which employ more than 4000 people through artisanal fishing, face multiple socioeconomic and environmental problems because fish stocks have decreased and destructive fishing methods continue to be used. The study measured how artisanal fishers promote sustainable fisheries through their fishing methods and their understanding of fishing technologies and institutional rules and their strategies for managing fish resources. The research study used a mixed-methods research design which combined survey research methods with Focus Group Discussions that took place from September until October 2025. The researchers used stratified random sampling to choose 365 artisanal fishers who worked at 57 fish landing sites throughout Kwale county. The researchers used SPSS software to conduct descriptive statistical analysis and regression analysis of quantitative data while they performed thematic content analysis of qualitative data. The regression analysis revealed a significant positive constant (β = 1.618, p = 0.001), reflecting a baseline of sustainability driven by unobserved traditional conservation practices. Mitigation measures emerged as the strongest predictor of sustainability (β = 0.4338, p = 0.008), followed by fishing practices (β = 0.2062, p = 0.003). Although fishers demonstrated high theoretical awareness (Mean = 4.22/5.00), the knowledge and perception variable was statistically insignificant (β = 0.062, p = 0.691), revealing a knowledge-action gap where immediate economic survival necessitates non-compliance. The observed results underscore the need to transition from top-down regulation to participatory governance that prioritizes direct gear-based interventions and economic empowerment. The study recommends that the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs implement gear-exchange programs and scale up community-led Marine Protected Areas, thereby securing the long-term resilience of the Kenyan coast.