Title: Size composition of small-scale demersal catches in a multispecies multi-gear fishery along the Kenyan coast.

Abstract

Janet Mwangata´s filan project will be published in due time. Until then we share the abstract and a link to a poster.

Effective gear management is essential for sustaining small-scale demersal fisheries in diverse coastal habitats and supporting food security. This study assessed the size composition of catches across five fishing gear types to evaluate their role in exploiting different species and size classes in small-scale demersal fisheries along the Kenyan coast. The catch was multispecies, with Siganus sutor, Lethrinus lentjan, and Lutjanus fulviflamma dominating. Basket traps, handlines, and monofilament gillnets primarily targeted mature S. sutor, promoting sustainability, while reef seines and multifilament gillnets captured high numbers of juveniles. Mature L. lentjan were mainly caught by handlines, whereas gillnets and traps targeted juveniles. For L. fulviflamma, monofilament and multifilament gillnets targeted mature individuals, while other gears disproportionately caught juveniles. Habitat differences influenced population dynamics: seagrass supported more mature individuals, while coral reefs and mixed habitats showed varied juvenile-to-mature ratios. The south coast had a higher proportion of juvenile fish, highlighting the need for conservation in coral reef areas. Current fishing practices target a wide size range, increasing pressure on fish stocks and contributing to fishing mortality. Existing gear-based regulations are inadequate, as fishers use diverse methods to exploit entire populations. To promote sustainability, gear regulations should prioritize reducing juvenile catch and ensuring mature individuals reproduce before harvest. Revising gear-specific regulations is necessary to mitigate overfishing and guide fisheries toward recovery and long-term sustainability.