Lamu's Fisherfolk Speak: Merging Ancient Wisdom with Modern Science for a Secure Future.

The fisherfolk panel at Bahari Yetu Festival 2025 was a brisk walk into the past. Moderated by our Fisheries Coordinator - Mohamed Yusuf, we had three panelists oozing indigenous wisdom, addressing how climate change and population growth are threatening food security, sea safety and quality of life in Lamu. An artist at heart, Mohamed led the panel poetically, posing a question to panelists after each stanza of the poem ‘Mvuvi’ by Ahmad Nassir (Malenga wa Mvita). 

From left: Mohamed Yusuf (LaMCoT), Yasir Ahmed (Matondoni), Ali Shekuwe (Mokowe), Ali Muhamad (Kipungani)

Let’s get into interesting insights from the panelists, who are also members of the Kinyika JCMA Co-management Planning Committee (CPC).

"Formal Education is to Blame for Loss of Indigenous Fishing Knowledge"

This fisherman in the poem is proud of the different kinds of fish he can catch, because he is so good at it. After reciting the first 2 stanzas, Mohamed asked about the fishing history of the panelists. 

Ali Muhamad, a fisherman from Kipungani who has been fishing since the moment he learnt to walk, is a representation of most fishers here; taught by their forefathers with no formal education. After recounting memories with his grandpa at sea, he made a strong statement that opened the floor to discussion; the generation of real fishermen is almost extinct because of formal education! In his opinion, backed by over 50 years of experience, the sustainable old ways of fishing are no longer used; people are using modern destructive methods, unaware of the indigenous ways because nobody teaches these in school!

Fishermen using the traditional fence trap fishing method in Lamu

The fence trap fishing method

LaMCoT team on ocean patrol inspecting Lamu community fishing methods

What are these sustainable traditional methods; you may ask. According to Yasir Ahmed, a panelist and respected inshore fisherman from Matondoni, the fence trap method, locally known as uzio, is one of the best passive fishing methods used in Lamu for centuries. He noted that it worked for them because it kept all the trapped fish alive until when it was time to open the fence and only collect the ones one desired. This method that involved 0% habitat destruction and seabed dragging, is now uncommon and fading away. 

The Traditional Seasons Calendar vs Meteorology

Stanza 3 of the poem describes this fisherman’s prowess in catching different types of fish at different sites, in varying seasons. After reciting it, Mohamed asked the panel about how they knew when to go fishing; how did they predict seasons? 

The 3rd panelist, Ali Shekuwe, a man who has fished since the 1970s, enlightened us on the traditional calendar they used to predict seasons and tell exact days to fish. For instance, they would know not to fish on the 91st day of the fishing season because there would be no winds to move the boats. Or to fish on the 57th day and not on the 59th day and why. It was undoubtedly reliable. 

Rain in the morning of Bahari Yetu Festival

Excited, a fisherman in the crowd stood up and proclaimed that the traditional calendar works to date. Despite it not being a rainy season on the day of the festival, he had used the indigenous calendar a day before to predict that it would rain in the morning of Bahari Yetu Festival, and it did! The audience had mixed reactions on using the old calendar to predict fishing seasons.

Many argued that the traditional calendar works, but how would one explain why in present times, seasons are longer than they were in the past? A boat capsized just days before the festival, and the crew on board drowned; yet it is the fishing season according to the modern calendar. Apparently, it was not a good day to be in the open sea according to the old calendar. How is this possible?

Ali Msuo, a man in his 80s and well respected fishermen stood from the crowd and brought order to this issue. He agreed that the older calendar was undoubtedly reliable in the past, but now we have to adapt and listen to the weatherman. We now have to lean towards modern science and accept that mabadiliko ya tabia nchi - what we like to call climate change, is with us now and it is to blame. Otherwise, if we keep relying on just the calendar; we will go hungry because we are not in sync with fishing seasons. 

We cannot get rid of the old calendar; it is part of indigenous knowledge that has worked for centuries, and is applicable to date by long-distance deep sea fishers. We also have to adapt to new ways because change is inevitable. By collaboratively implementing ecosystem-based management, diversifying livelihoods, developing climate-resilient infrastructure, and using improved forecasting and early warning systems, we can adapt to climate change. Thankfully with projects like Iweni Conservancy and Kinyika JCMA, we are on the right track to merging indigenous Knowledge and climate science.

Why Illegal Fishing Gear are Popular Now

Stanzas 6 of the poem described this fisherman’s dislike for the beach seining as a fishing method; locally known as juya. Mohamed asked the panel why juya is common now and their thoughts about it. Unanimously, they agreed that it is a destructive fishing method, and the fact that over 50% of beach seine nets in Kenya’s Coastal Waters are found in Lamu is a very bad sign. 

The panel stated that because of selfishness, people are now more motivated to make profit rather than caring for each other’s wellbeing. One can literally sleep hungry while the neighbour is counting profits after fishing everything at sea using a destructive method! With Lamu’s population rising, there is more demand for food; but selfishness is what is propagating illegal fishing methods. 

Is fishing still a lucrative livelihood source for our children?

This was the last question posed to the panel, and the answer was that it all depends on what we will do about the hole we have dug ourselves. Are we ready to go back to sustainable fishing methods, including the traditional ones? Are we ready to merge indigenous knowledge with modern science? Are we ready to stop being selfish? If the answers to these questions are yes, then our children should definitely look at fishing as a lucrative source of income. Otherwise, no!

Written by Evelyn Kimori

Photos by Shanga Nzole & Evelyn Kimori