Assessing fishing tourism [“pesca-tourismo”] as an alternative livelihood in the coastal small-scale fisheries of Kenya in the context of the blue economy

The dwindling marine fish stocks in Kenya and the western Indian Ocean highlight the need to promote alternative initiatives to ensure the sustainability of future generations. Fishing tourism, “Pesca tourismo,” which is gaining recognition in coastal areas around the globe as an alternative livelihood and supplementary source of income, has the potential to reduce pressure on artisanal fishing. The study aimed to provide baseline data in selected counties on Kenya’s coast, where the rich cultural diversity of local communities living in these areas is reflected in indigenous fishing and tourism-related traditional activities. Data was collected in these sites using a mixed approach design, conducted through participatory approaches. Data analysis comprised the combination of descriptive (percentages, averages, figures) and thematic. The existence of fishing tourism was found to have existed for more than 5 decades. Almost half of the respondents (47%) practice pesca tourismo as an alternative livelihood. Key activities include day trip fishing (71%), snorkeling (13%), and marine site viewing (12%). The average daily income from fishing tourism, KES 2,947 (USD 28.06), slightly exceeds that of regular fishing, KES 2764 (USD 26.32). Expeditions typically employ three crew members, using long lines (57%) or rods (38%) to target large fish, including tuna, groupers, snappers, and blue marlin. Tourists are mostly foreign (66%), with peak season in November and December attracting visitors from Italy, Germany, and France. Fishing tourism was found to generate positive impacts within the blue economy it supports alternative livelihoods and diversification of incomes, encourages sustainable ocean use, reduces overfishing, and aids marine stewardship and conservation. However, the study also found that fishing tourism in Kenya lacks a formal definition, and its conceptual, regulatory, and operational frameworks remain underdeveloped, pointing to the need for a more comprehensive legislative framework to support its growth along the Kenyan coast.