Maseno University Hosts AJUST Project Inception Conference on Sustainable Fish Farming in Lake Victoria
Maseno University hosted the inception event for the A Just and Sustainable Transformation of Fish Farming in Lake Victoria, Kenya (AJUST) project at the ACACIA Hotel, Kisumu. The event brought together researchers, policymakers, government agencies and other key stakeholders to formally launch the project and establish a common platform for collaboration.
AJUST is a multidisciplinary collaborative research initiative that unites six institutions:
- Maseno University (MU)
- University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
- Aarhus University (AU)
- Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)
- University of Eldoret (UoE)
- Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS)
The partnership combines expertise in fisheries and aquaculture, aquatic ecology, climate adaptation, resource economics, spatial planning and fisheries governance.
Promoting food security and AJUST Blue Economy transition
The project seeks to promote regional food and nutrition security, improved incomes and poverty alleviation, while supporting an economically and environmentally just Blue Economy transition. It will generate evidence to inform spatial planning for aquaculture in Lake Victoria, optimise production and income potential, and promote equitable distribution of rights and benefits across the aquaculture value chain.
The project is organized around work packages covering suitability and water quality assessment, sustainable economic capacity forecasting, governance of value chains, and an environmental justice index.
Field excursion to Anyanga and Oele Beach
As part of the inception programme, participants undertook a field excursion to Anyanga Beach on Lake Victoria. The visit offered an opportunity to interact with local aquaculture stakeholders and gain first-hand insights into cage fish farming, production systems, environmental conditions, and the opportunities and challenges facing the rapidly developing aquaculture sector.
Visit to KMFRI
The delegation also visited the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), one of the AJUST partner institutions, where they toured aquaculture demonstration facilities.
Towards actionable policy recommendations
Through AJUST, the partners aim to strengthen research and policy advisory capacity, improve understanding of climate adaptation and spatial planning for aquaculture, and develop joint, actionable policy recommendations. The project ultimately seeks to support sustainable aquaculture development that balances food security, livelihoods, climate resilience, ecosystem protection and social equity in Lake Victoria.
by the Ag.Vice-Chancellor Prof. Erick. Nyambedha (6th from right)