ADVOKS GLOBAL · KENYA
Fisheries Management and Development Act
84. Licences and authorizations required
Edition: 2026-07-10 · In force
84. Licences and authorizations required
(1)A valid and applicable licence issued in accordance with section 92(3) shall be required for—(a)using an industrial fishing vessel for fishing or fishing related activities in the Kenya fishery waters;(b)using a semi-industrial fishing vessel for fishing or related activities in the Kenya fishery waters;(c)using an artisanal fishing vessel for commercial purposes;(d)commercial aquaculture; and(e)such other activity or activities within the scope of this Act for which a licence or authorization may be required by the management measures in an applicable Fisheries Management Plan adopted in accordance with the requirements in this Act, or as may be prescribed from time to time.(2)The respective county governments shall be responsible for issuing licenses with respect to—(a)using any vessel for recreational fishing in the Kenya fishery waters; and(b)operating a fish processing establishment within the respective county.(3)The Cabinet Secretary shall prescribe the standards for the registration of vessels and grant, renewal and revocation of licences by a county government under subsection (2).(4)Every county government may enact county specific legislation setting out the—(a)criteria for the registration of a vessel and issuance of a licence to an applicant for a licence under subsection (2);(b)information required to be submitted by an applicant for registration or issuance of a licence;(c)process of determination of an application;(d)conditions for the issuance or renewal of a licence under this Act;(e)grounds for the rejection of an application or cancellation of a licence issued under this Act;(f)process of application for the renewal of licences, de-registration of a vessel and revocation of a licence issued to an applicant by the county government; and(g)appointment of inspectors or such other authorised officers to carry out such inspections as the county executive committee member responsible for fisheries may consider necessary for the implementation of this Act.(5)A valid and applicable written authorization issued in accordance with section 88 and 89 shall be required for—(a)using a Kenyan fishing vessel in areas outside the Kenyan fishery waters;(b)each transhipment, including the transfer of fish from a fishing vessel to a carrier vessel or a shore based facility for the purpose of export;(c)using any vessel for marine scientific research or test fishing;(d)using any foreign fishing vessel to enter a port in Kenya; and(e)deployment and maintenance of any fish aggregating device in the Kenya fishery waters.