Sustainable Netting Solutions: Reducing Bycatch in Kenyan Waters with Modern Mesh Technology

Sustainable fishing practices in Kenya are increasingly important as regulatory bodies, environmental organizations, and local communities demand reduced bycatch and responsible resource management. Whether operating along the Kenyan Coast, in Lake Victoria, or inland aquaculture systems, the choice of modern mesh technology directly impacts compliance, profitability, and long-term fishery health.

This guide focuses on sustainable netting solutions, highlighting how modern mesh design and material selection can minimize bycatch while maintaining catch efficiency. Insights are grounded in Kenyan fisheries realities and incorporate 2026 environmental regulations, with practical gear recommendations from Maimun Fishing & Tackles Ltd (MFT).

Why Bycatch Reduction Matters for Kenyan Fisheries

Quick Advisory: Bycatch—non-target species caught unintentionally—threatens fish stocks and violates environmental regulations. Sustainable nets improve compliance and protect the ecosystem. Professional fishers benefit from reduced waste and increased legal safety.

Bycatch impacts include:

  • Ecological damage to juvenile and protected species

  • Economic loss from unwanted catch

  • Potential fines for non-compliance with Kenya’s fisheries regulations

For coastal fleets, high bycatch rates can also trigger stricter inspection regimes, emphasizing the need for modern, selective netting solutions.

Modern Mesh Technology: How It Reduces Bycatch

Quick Advisory: Mesh size, shape, and knot design determine species selectivity. Correctly configured nets allow target fish to be caught while smaller or protected species escape. Adopting modern mesh technology is key to regulatory compliance.

Key Features

  1. Optimized Mesh Size: Larger meshes allow juveniles to escape, reducing recruitment loss.

  2. Tapered Mesh Designs: Reduce entanglement of non-target species.

  3. Knotless Nets: Minimize damage to non-target fish, making catch more sustainable.

  4. Flexible Materials: Nylon or HDPE with reinforced edges improve durability without compromising selectivity.

Fleet operators can find KEBS-compliant, conservation-focused nets through MFT at:
https://shop.mft.co.ke/netting

Coastal Marine Applications

Quick Advisory: Purse seines and gillnets designed with selective mesh prevent capture of juvenile tuna, mackerel, and sardines. Sustainable gear protects both the environment and fleet profitability. Modern nets ensure compliance with 2026 environmental standards.

In Kenyan marine fisheries:

  • Purse seines with adjustable mesh sections reduce bycatch of juvenile schooling fish

  • Gillnets with tapered mesh reduce capture of endangered species such as sea turtles

  • Nylon nets with controlled elasticity reduce entanglement stress

MFT provides professional-grade nets suitable for marine operations at:
https://shop.mft.co.ke/fishing-nets

Inland and Lake Victoria Applications

Quick Advisory: Modern gillnets and seine nets with regulated mesh sizes reduce bycatch of juvenile Nile perch and tilapia. Protecting breeding populations ensures long-term catch sustainability. Proper mesh selection is mandatory for compliance.

In Lake Victoria:

  • Medium mesh sizes (50–75 mm) target mature tilapia and perch

  • Fine mesh restricted to fingerlings or hatchery collection

  • Sustainable deployment minimizes juvenile capture while maintaining operational efficiency

MFT supports inland fisheries with mesh-specific nets for aquaculture and Lake Victoria operations:
https://shop.mft.co.ke/aquaculture/fishing-nets

Material Selection for Sustainability and Durability

Quick Advisory: Nylon nets offer high tensile strength and elasticity, ensuring longer lifespan while maintaining selective catch. HDPE is lighter and cost-effective but may require earlier replacement. Material choice affects both sustainability and ROI.

  • Nylon: Preferred for continuous use; maintains mesh geometry under load

  • HDPE: Suitable for seasonal or low-stress deployments; UV-treated options available

  • Reinforced knotless options reduce stress on escaped fish

Fleet owners using MFT netting systems can optimize for both sustainability and long-term durability:
https://shop.mft.co.ke/netting

Compliance with 2026 Environmental Regulations

Quick Advisory: New regulations emphasize bycatch reduction, juvenile protection, and ecosystem conservation. Nets must meet minimum mesh, tensile, and deployment standards. Non-compliance risks fines, license revocation, and reputational loss.

Key regulatory considerations for Kenyan fisheries include:

  • Mesh-size limits for target species

  • Seasonal restrictions on juvenile harvesting

  • Gear inspection and maintenance requirements

Using KEBS-aligned, regulation-ready nets from MFT ensures fleets meet environmental standards:
https://shop.mft.co.ke/fishing-nets

Operational Best Practices for Sustainable Fishing

Quick Advisory: Sustainable outcomes require correct net deployment, monitoring, and handling. Regular inspection preserves mesh integrity and reduces accidental bycatch. Professional operators combine gear selection with disciplined procedures.

Best practices include:

  • Daily net inspections for holes or deformation

  • Adjusting mesh size according to species abundance and season

  • Avoiding over-deployment that stresses non-target species

  • Recording bycatch data for regulatory reporting

MFT’s professional accessories complement these practices:
https://shop.mft.co.ke/fishing/fishing-accessories

Case Study: Reducing Bycatch on Lake Victoria

Quick Advisory: Transitioning to selective gillnets increased targeted tilapia catch by 25% while halving juvenile perch bycatch. Proper mesh selection aligns ecological and financial goals. Fleet-level adoption demonstrates measurable sustainability.

This demonstrates that sustainable netting is not just an environmental imperative but a profit-oriented strategy.

Call to Action: Upgrade to Sustainable Nets Today

Maimun Fishing & Tackles Ltd
 Address: Darosa Plaza, Karen Road
 Call/WhatsApp: 0706 903465
 Shop Online: https://shop.mft.co.ke/

Same-day delivery in Nairobi and next-day countrywide delivery to Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kitale, Voi, Bungoma, Mombasa, Kakamega, Nakuru, Garissa, Machakos, Meru, Malindi, Kisumu, Kericho.