Directorate of Aquaculture Research
Aquaculture Research
The Directorate of Aquaculture Research is one of the Directorates within KMFRI established pursuant to Section 14 of the Science and Technology Act Cap 250 and the repeals and transitional provisions in Section 47 of the Science Technology and Innovation Act (STI) No. 28 of 2013.
The Directorate carries out research in freshwater and marine aquaculture within six broad thematic areas: (1) culture systems, technologies and innovations; (2) fish seed production through novel breeding and genetic techniques; (3) fish feed formulation, processing and nutrition management; (4) fish health and disease management and biosecurity; (5) innovative fish marketing, post-harvest preservation and value addition technologies; and (6) cross-cutting socio-economic issues in aquaculture.
Legal Mandate
Established under STI Act No. 28 of 2013, the Directorate is mandated to conduct research, develop technologies and innovations, and disseminate findings to support sustainable aquaculture in Kenya.
Research Centres
Four main centres: Shimoni (mariculture), Sagana, Kegati and Sang'oro (freshwater). Two sub-centres at Taita-Taveta County and Mutonga, Tharaka Nithi County.
Thematic Areas
Six thematic research areas covering culture systems, seed production, feed formulation, fish health, post-harvest technologies, and socio-economic issues in aquaculture.
Our Three Core Departments
The Directorate operates through three specialised research departments covering freshwater aquaculture, mariculture, and laboratory support services.
Freshwater Aquaculture
Responsible for undertaking research in culture of aquatic organisms in cold and warm freshwater environments in order to generate knowledge for the sustainable management and development of Blue Economy resources for enhanced socio-economic benefits to Kenyans.
Mariculture
Responsible for undertaking research in culturing aquatic organisms in the marine environment in order to generate knowledge for the sustainable management and development of Blue Economy resources for enhanced socio-economic benefits to Kenyans.
Aquaculture Research Laboratories
Undertakes research in freshwater and mariculture in order to provide scientific data and information for sustainable development of aquaculture. Provides analytical and technical support across all aquaculture research activities.
Key Functions
The Directorate of Aquaculture is responsible for the following key functions across policy, research, partnerships and knowledge dissemination.
- Advising management on all policies and strategies related to aquaculture research and development.
- Developing, implementing and reviewing national research policies in aquaculture and the Blue Economy in consultation with stakeholders.
- Advising the Board on linkages with research bodies and institutions within and outside Kenya to enhance aquaculture technologies and innovations transfer.
- Developing national aquaculture development strategies, guidelines and regulations.
- Developing aquaculture research planning and implementation guidelines and regulations.
- Carrying out capacity building for sustainable aquaculture development.
- Disseminating research findings and promoting outreach of aquaculture programmes to increase KMFRI's visibility.
- Mobilizing resources for aquaculture research and development.
- Developing local, national, regional and international partnerships to support aquaculture development.
- Generating and disseminating technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPS) for the aquaculture value chain.
- Developing fish health diagnostic kits, vaccines and quarantine facilities for control of emerging fish diseases.
- Planning and carrying out research, implementation of findings and monitoring in freshwater aquaculture and mariculture.
Research Centres
The Aquaculture Directorate has four main Research Centres and two sub-centres, established to provide a conducive environment for conducting research in freshwater and marine water aquaculture across Kenya.
Shimoni Centre
Home of the National Mariculture Research and Training Centre (NAMARET), specialising in mariculture research and capacity building. Hosts the first marine hatchery in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region — providing a unique opportunity for KMFRI to become a centre of excellence in mariculture.
Sagana Centre
Specialises in freshwater aquaculture research. The Nairobi Liaison Office is anchored under the Sagana Centre. Undertakes aquaculture related trainings in liaison with the Directorate for Socioeconomics.
Kegati Centre
Specialises in freshwater aquaculture research and undertakes aquaculture related trainings in liaison with the Directorate for Socioeconomics.
Sang'oro Centre
Specialises in freshwater aquaculture research and provides support for aquaculture-related training and capacity building activities in the region.