Kenya, December 20 2025 -Kenya’s ornamental fish export sector, once a niche but lucrative source of foreign exchange, is under scrutiny following a TRAFFIC report revealing major discrepancies between Kenya’s reported exports and figures recorded by importing countries.

The findings raise concerns about lost revenue, environmental sustainability, and governance gaps in one of the country’s specialized marine trades. From 2012 to 2023, Kenya officially reported exports of 2,431,666 kg of marine ornamental fish valued at USD 2.7 million. Yet, importing countries recorded 1,751,127 kg valued at USD 33.4 million, a 1,133% discrepancy in value.

“The records of Kenyan international trade in marine ornamental fish on the UN Com trade database are inconsistent, and seemingly inaccurate, with large discrepancies between what is reported by Kenya and what is reported by Kenya’s trade partners,” the TRAFFIC report states.

Such discrepancies suggest potential undervaluation, misreporting, or illicit trade, which could be denying Kenya millions of dollars in revenue, while affecting the livelihoods of local collectors, exporters, and associated communities who depend on this trade.

The sector also faces sustainability challenges. The TRAFFIC report highlighted that Kenya lacks species-specific, long-term data needed to monitor the environmental impact of harvesting ornamental fish.

“The absence of robust monitoring and reporting systems means authorities cannot reliably assess the impact of trade on wild fish populations,” the report notes.

Without adequate oversight, overfishing and depletion of vulnerable species could threaten marine biodiversity in coastal ecosystems and compromise Kenya’s role as a sustainable supplier to global markets. Experts warn that continued exploitation without regulatory safeguards could jeopardize both ecosystems and the industry’s future.

The TRAFFIC report also identified significant governance and regulatory weaknesses. In particular, discrepancies in export data point to failures in customs reporting, inter-agency coordination, and enforcement of fisheries regulations. The report also flagged transit of Tanzanian fish through Kenya, noting: “Exports to Kenya accounted for ~90 % of Tanzania’s total marine ornamental fish exports.