FishNet cautions Nigeria on release of genetically improved tilapia

FishNet Alliance, a network of fishers in several African countries, has called for a cautious approach to the planned introduction of the genetically improved tilapia fish into Nigeria. The coalition stated that the “artificial” species if allowed into Nigeria, would crossbreed and eventually lead to the extinction of the natural variety thereby distorting the nation’s […]

FishNet Alliance, a network of fishers in several African countries, has called for a cautious approach to the planned introduction of the genetically improved tilapia fish into Nigeria.

The coalition stated that the “artificial” species if allowed into Nigeria, would crossbreed and eventually lead to the extinction of the natural variety thereby distorting the nation’s rich biodiversity.

• NIGERIA DAILY: Daily Trust Podcast at 1, Our Story So Far
• How Niger’s yam farmers negotiate with terrorists to access fields

It, therefore, appealed to the federal government to withhold regulatory approvals for the release of the altered fish variety until the biosafety concerns around it were addressed and regulatory authorities strengthened.

The group made its position known on Friday in a statement issued by Stephen Oduware, Coordinator of FishNet Alliance.

The alliance said the improved tilapia would be introduced following “an inclusive legal agreement” between WorldFish and Premium Aquaculture Limited through a programme on the Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT).

It said that, according to the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, “This agreement will augur well for the establishment of a GIFT-based aquaculture industry in Nigeria.”

The group noted that Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were collaborating with WorldFish and PAL on the endeavour.

FishNet said the aim of the collaboration was to have WorldFish/PAL GIFT tilapia in Nigerian fish markets by late 2023.

It expressed concerns that apart from the environmental and health challenges, it was unclear which agencies of government had a hand in the transaction.

“The improved tilapia will not tackle the root cause of challenges in the fishery sector in Nigeria. Neither will it solve the hunger and malnutrition problems in the country.

“Indiscriminate activities of trawlers lead to overfishing of both target and non-target species of fish; destruction of the mangrove forests amongst other issues – are matters that government should focus attention on.”

“The genes used to improve the tilapia could have come from a variety of organisms, including other fishes, coral, mice, bacteria, or even humans.

“They are basically produced to suit industrial aquaculture models with doubtful regard for possible ecological and environmental concerns.

“Fish farming in Nigeria is done mostly close to the river or in the creeks and there are fears that there could be interactions between the “genetically improved” fish and their relatives in the wild.

“If such fish were genetically engineered, research has shown that releasing as little as 60 fishes into a wild population of 60,000 would lead to the extinction of the wild population in less than 40 fish generations.

“The implication of having genetically improved tilapia released into the wild is not known,” FishNet stated.

The alliance noted that a new study found that genetically-engineered (genetically modified or GM) zebrafish (Danio rerio) had escaped from fish farms in Brazil and are multiplying in the creeks there.

FishNet Alliance quoted researchers as saying that their results “confirm that escapes from aquaculture facilities are common and could bring severe consequences to local fish populations, including endemic, rare, and threatened species.”

They concluded that the production of non-native species should be avoided and transgenic fish should be banned. (NAN)