Fish is one of the few animal sources of food mostly consumed
worldwide. However, the transportation of fish releases harmful greenhouse
gases, posing a serious threat of global warming effects. Transportation is
usually done by motor taxis (tuk tuk), motorcycles (boda boda), and motor
vehicle vans (matatu/probox) that support numerous fishmongers from the Lake to
various destinations and cumulatively result in carbon emissions. The
sustainable transport system for fish that is efficient and emits minimal
greenhouse gases as compared to others is not known. Life Cycle Assessment
framework was used to quantify the carbon footprints of fish from landing
beaches, through transportation to consumption. The general objective of the
study was to determine the life cycle of fish carbon footprints for small-scale
traders with a specific objective to analyze the carbon footprint of fish per
weight-kilometer moved using different motorized modes of transport. The
research adopted was a descriptive design that involved a sample frame of 98
motors (14-seater van (matatu), probox van, and motorcycles). Stratified random
sampling was employed. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and
direct observation. Results showed that matatu emits an average of 0.66 L per
kg-km; Probox emits 1.10 L per kg-km; motorcycles emit 2.17 L per kg-km when
transporting fish. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed there was a
statistically significant difference in the carbon footprints of the motorized
modes of transport (F (2,77) =22.477, p<0.0005, α =0.05).
Results indicate that different modes of transport emit and contribute to fish
carbon footprints. The study concluded that there is a need for sustainable and
efficient transportation practices and policies that aim at mitigating the
effect of CO2 on climate change. The study recommended that the dominance of
lower fish-carrying capacity modes be discouraged and initiate high
fish-carrying capacity modes.
Author
(s) Details
Charity
Atieno Akuno
Department of Natural Resources Management, School of Spatial
Planning and Natural Resources Management, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of
Science and Technology, P.O. Box 210-40610, Bondo, Kenya.
Patrick
O. Hayombe
Department of Spatial Planning, School of Spatial Planning and
Natural Resources Management, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and
Technology, P.O. Box 210-40610, Bondo, Kenya.
John O.
Oloo
Department of Natural Resources Management, School of Spatial
Planning and Natural Resources Management, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of
Science and Technology, P.O. Box 210-40610, Bondo, Kenya.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/srnta/v1/1700
