John Okechi

Current Research

I am interested in freshwater aquaculture and fish biodiversity. My main research interest is in using a holistic approach in managing fisheries and other aquatic resources by taking into account the entire ecosystem (Ecosystem-based Approach to Management). My research work focuses on investigating the impacts of limnological changes and cage aquaculture development on fish biodiversity in Lake Victoria (East Africa). I posit that if well managed, cages can act as refugia for wild fishes thus potentially increasing biodiversity and wild capture fishery value; but if poorly managed cages can contribute to pollution and lead to deterioration of water quality.

Publications

• Tuckett, Q. M., Alo, M., DiMaggio, M., Kaufman, L., Okechi, J., Patmagrian, C., … & Yanong, R. (2023). Critical thermal limits for Astatotilapia piceata, a possibly extinct in the wild Lake Victoria cichlid fish. Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation, 16(3), 1384-1389. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2827995135?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true
• Okechi, J. K., Peoples, N., Nyamweya, C. S., Glaser, S., & Kaufman, L. (2022). The ecological health of Lake Victoria (Kenya) in the face of growing cage aquaculture. Conservation Science and Practice, 4(11), e12826. https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/csp2.12826
• Musa, S., Aura, C. M., & Okechi, J. K. (2022). Economic analysis of tilapia cage culture in Lake Victoria using different cage volumes. Journal of Applied Aquaculture, 34(3), 674-692. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10454438.2021.1884632
• Nyaboke, H., Nyaundi, J., Owili, M., Nyamweya, C. S., Aura, C. M., Gichuru, N., Okechi, J.K., … & Liti, D. (2022). Emerging frontiers for blue growth in African Great Lakes: The potential for recreational fishing industry in Lake Victoria, Kenya. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 25(4), 3-11. https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/msup/aehm/article-abstract/25/4/3/351451/Emerging-frontiers-for-blue-growth-in-African
• Orina, P., Ogello, E., Kembenya, E., Muthoni, C., Musa, S., Ombwa, V., Okechi, J, … & Karoza, S. (2021). The state of cage culture in Lake Victoria: A focus on sustainability, rural economic empowerment, and food security. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 24(1), 56-63. https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/msup/aehm/article-abstract/24/1/56/173888/The-state-of-cage-culture-in-Lake-Victoria-A-focus
• Hamilton, S. E., Gallo, S. M., Krach, N., Nyamweya, C. S., Okechi, J. K., Aura, C. M., … & Kaufman, L. (2020). The use of unmanned aircraft systems and high-resolution satellite imagery to monitor tilapia fish-cage aquaculture expansion in Lake Victoria, Kenya. Bulletin of Marine Science, 96(1), 71-94. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/umrsmas/bullmar/2020/00000096/00000001/art00005
• Njiru, J. M., Aura, C. M., & Okechi, J. K. (2019). Cage fish culture in Lake Victoria: A boon or a disaster in waiting?. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 26(5), 426-434. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/fme.12283?casa_token=3px8kRRJev4AAAAA%3A-6wdONtVAIc0vmJZRSbIzxdiAYhEYLKiOnKp-g9DisaTBfgtiVlKJXrT5jHsSmJHfDuLens21qDdLA
• Aura, C. M., Musa, S., Yongo, E., Okechi, J. K., Njiru, J. M., Ogari, Z., … & Oucho, J. A. (2018). Integration of mapping and socio‐economic status of cage culture: Towards balancing lake‐use and culture fisheries in Lake Victoria, Kenya. Aquaculture research, 49(1), 532-545. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/are.13484?casa_token=wHJHNWFvZdkAAAAA%3AHB4OyBHbRTx2rFCMYJP0CGZ_NCv4tTLYTOu2lrVnh2vrZ4KsMSSZnttOC4VxGAFY8NwCybHz5OzHAw