Kenya's Scientific Research Fleet
KMFRI's research vessels are the cornerstone of the Institute's offshore and nearshore scientific programme. The fleet supports oceanographic surveys, hydro-acoustic fish biomass assessments, water quality monitoring, and deep-sea sample collection within Kenya's 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone and across the Great Lakes.
The Fleet
KMFRI's flagship research vessel, equipped for deep-sea oceanographic surveys, trawling operations, and multi-disciplinary marine science within Kenya's EEZ and the wider Indian Ocean region.
- Hydro-acoustic fisheries surveys
- CTD & water column sampling
- Bottom trawling capability
- Onboard laboratory facilities
KMFRI's anchor research vessel on Lake Victoria, based at the Kisumu Research Centre, carrying fisheries scientists and limnologists across Africa's largest lake for hydroacoustic surveys, trawl sampling and water-quality studies.
- Hydroacoustic stock surveys
- Trawl & fisheries sampling
- Limnology & water quality
- Lake Victoria research platform
A fleet of smaller GRP and aluminium motorized boats deployed at all KMFRI stations for frame surveys, catch assessment sampling, and coastal mapping operations.
- Frame & catch surveys
- GPS & echo-sounder equipped
- Deployed across KMFRI stations
- Inshore & lake operations
Survey Capabilities
Acoustic Surveys
Echo-integration surveys using calibrated scientific echo-sounders to estimate fish biomass and species distribution in pelagic and demersal zones.
Oceanographic Sampling
CTD rosette deployments capturing temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen profiles from the surface to depth throughout Kenya's EEZ.
Trawl Surveys
Bottom and mid-water trawl stations providing catch composition, length-frequency and biological sampling data for stock assessment models.
Remote Sensing Integration
In-situ validation of satellite-derived SST, chlorophyll and turbidity data for coastal monitoring and fisheries forecast models.