Lake Victoria Aquaculture

The establishment of the Lake Victoria Aquaculture Association (LVA) was inspired by a pivotal meeting held on April 12, 2024, in Kisumu, where a diverse group of public and private stakeholders gathered for a half-day roundtable discussion. Convened by Ohala Kenya Foundation, the event brought together 32 key representatives from across the Lake Victoria aquaculture sector to address the challenges stifling the potential of aquaculture and the broader Blue Economy in the region.

The central theme of the roundtable was encapsulated in the question: Why is the Blue Economy not the economic driver of the Lake Victoria region? Participants explored a variety of challenges confronting the region’s aquatic industries, including environmental sustainability concerns, complex regulatory frameworks, high input costs, communication gaps, market access limitations, and the lack of a structured mechanism for collaboration among stakeholders. The consensus was clear: there was an urgent need for an organized platform to foster dialogue, networking, and coordinated action.

As a direct outcome of the meeting, the LVA Association was created and officially registered on July 4, 2024. The Association is a democratic, membership-based organization governed by a board of directors elected from among its members.

LVA MISSION & OBJECTIVES

The mission of LVA Association is to unite stakeholders in the aquaculture sector by fostering collaboration, advocating for effective policies, promoting best practices, and supporting the growth of a sustainable and competitive aquaculture industry in the Lake Victoria region.

It has three key objectives:

1. Stakeholder Engagement

2. Policy AdvocacY.

3. Capacity Building.

THE INAUGURAL LVA FORUM (OCTOBER 2024):

The inaugural forum held on 17th October 2024 at the Sarova Imperial Hotel, Kisumu marked a milestone event for the LVA Association. This event brought together over 100 key stakeholders from various sectors, including government representatives, private sector players, investors, development agencies, and academia. The forum aimed to establish the LVA as a critical platform for fostering collaboration, advancing sustainable aquaculture, and addressing challenges within the Blue Economy of the Lake Victoria region.

Key guests included H.E (Dr.) Paul Otuoma- Governor of Busia and Blue Economy Committee, Council of Governors, and H.E (Prof.) Anyang Nyongo, Governor of Kisumu County. Other notable guests included the Principal Secretary, State Dept. for Blue Economy & Fisheries (represented by Mr. Rodrick Kundu), the DG of Kenya Fisheries Services, the DG of KMFRI, Chair of Kenya Fish Marketing Authority among others.

The meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter for the aquaculture sector in the Lake Victoria region. It validated the LVA Association as a key platform for fostering collaboration, policy advocacy, and innovation. It also set the stage for continued collaboration and concrete actions that will unlock the potential of Lake Victoria’s Blue Economy.