‘Fish import ban will cause 1.3m metric tonnes shortfall’

NTOA added that reduction in fish supply to the country could warrant a hike in the price of fish and adversely affect the protein intake of many Nigerians.   The group in a statement signed by its Information Officer, Manny Philipson, observed that demand for fish would rise to 2.1 million metric tonnes going by the […]

NTOA added that reduction in fish supply to the country could warrant a hike in the price of fish and adversely affect the protein intake of many Nigerians.   
The group in a statement signed by its Information Officer, Manny Philipson, observed that demand for fish would rise to 2.1 million metric tonnes going by the projected population of 174 million people by 2015, saying that the estimated production of 740,000 metric tonnes would not meet the local demand for fish.  
NTOA substantiated its submission with a paragraph in the 2012 publication of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), titled: Action Plan for Aquaculture Value-Chain Development for Nigeria, where it claimed: “Nigeria already has a shortfall of fish with a total fish production currently estimated at 600, 000 metric tons per annum and importation approximated at over 700, 000 metric tons with a projected demand of 2.6 million metric tons, suggesting an actual deficit of 1.3 million metric tons.”
The association described as illogical the recent claims made by some people that fish import could mean exporting jobs abroad because it can be produced locally, noting that local fish production can’t, at the moment, match the affordability, quantity and nutritional value of frozen fish imports.
NTOA wondered why the Catfish Association of Nigeria (CAFAN) advocated a total ban on fish import when local fish production is less than a quarter of Nigeria’s requirement.
“The new policy on fish import would, as it is, deprive more Nigerians, who depend on frozen fish for, at least, 41 percent of their animal protein intake,” it said.
NTOA described as feeble CAFAN argument that fish import placed unnecessary pressure on the naira by draining foreign exchange reserves and exporting jobs overseas, urging the Federal Government to regard such call as baseless because of its implications on fish prices and government’s desire for single digit inflation.
It also cautioned that “excessive tariffs or quotas on fish importation are against ECOWAS and WTO free trade guidelines.”
NTOA said farmed fish such as catfish is currently 11 times more expensive than the cheapest variety of pelagic fish.
“Whilst locally farmed catfish (clarias) is priced N800 per kilogramme, Blue whiting (panla) or pelagic is sold for N70,00 and aside being affordable, pelagic fish are extremely healthy and good source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.”
This nutritional value, according to the American Heart Association, enhances the heart and decreases risk of cardiovascular disease just as Omega-3 fatty acid is proven to reduce risks of arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats), which can lead to sudden death, NTOA remarked.