Analysis of long-term (1978-2001) marine fisheries data showed that Kenyan coralreefs produced an estimated 2-4 metric t/km 2 /year of demersal fish. A rapid overall decline in landings occurred during the 1990s. Yields (t/km 2 /year) showed bimodal peaks in 1982 (2.98) and 1991 (2.90). The average total landings dropped by 55% during the last decade following peak landings in 1982. Landings of the commercially important families (e.g., Siganidae, Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae and Serranidae) declined by about 40% during the last decade, with the groupers (Serranidae) showing the steepest (72%) decline. Analysis of landings per administrative district showed a 78% decline in the densely populated Mombasa district between the periods 1983-1991 and 1992-2001. The less populated districts have registered stable (e.g., Kilifi) to increasing (e.g., Kwale) catches over time. An autoregressive moving average (ARIMA) model forecast of landings predicted a gradual decline in catches during the next decade (2002-2011) with a trend slope of-0.01 t/km 2. Length-frequency analysis for the commercially important species indicated above optimum exploitation (E) and fishing mortality (per year) rates for the sky emperor, Lethrinus mahsena (E = 0.64; F = 2.48) and lower but strong rates for the emperor, L. sangueinus (E=0.51; F=0.93). The more abundant and commercially important whitespotted rabbitfish, Siganus sutor, showed equally strong rates (E= 0.56; F = 1.44/year). A precautionary approach in the management of Kenya's coral-reef fisheries is recommended.

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variations among populations of the wild Penaeid shrimps in Malindi-Ungwana Bay along the Northern Coast of Kenya (2019) Journal of Aquaculture, Fisheries & Fish Science 2(2) pp:155-164