Unlocking the potentials of Nigerian fishery industry

Oil has remained the live wire of the Nigerian economy for decades as a result of the neglect of agriculture by successive governments. But fisheries experts are of the view that agriculture remains a sustainable alternative to oil. Statistics from the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and other sources indicate […]

Oil has remained the live wire of the Nigerian economy for decades as a result of the neglect of agriculture by successive governments. But fisheries experts are of the view that agriculture remains a sustainable alternative to oil.
Statistics from the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and other sources indicate that fisheries, though contributing only 3–4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is a very vital component of Nigerian agriculture and the national economy, providing employment for millions of people and contributing about 50% of the animal protein intake of the country’s population; especially the resource poor.
The estimated national demand for fish is put at over 2.6 million metric tonnes with a wholesale value of more than $1.5 billion. This demand cannot be met by local production, which is estimated at about 700,000 metric tonnes, hence, Nigeria relies heavily on fish importation to bridge the wide gap. Nigeria is currently the largest fish consumer in Africa with a total consumption of over 1.2 million metric tonnes. Yet, the fisheries subsector of the economy seems unimportant to relevant authorities over the years.
According to Dr. Abbah Y. Abdullah, a fisheries expert and National President of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) in a recent interview: “Fisheries subsector of the Nigerian economy including aquaculture and capture fisheries has a very huge potential, which when properly harnessed will generate a lot of revenue for the government and create millions of jobs for Nigerians among other benefits”.
He maintains that aquaculture; also known as fish farming is a very promising aspect of fisheries and an economically viable enterprise in Nigeria – the largest aquaculture producer in Africa.
The aquaculture subsector, according to fishery experts, is capable of producing 2 million metric tonnes of fish annually, and should be given priority in the deliberate efforts by the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to reposition agriculture through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).
Besides aquaculture, the capture fisheries equally have enough potential, which if properly tapped and channeled can lead to a dramatic turnaround in the fisheries subsector. Reports have it that capture fisheries including artisanal and industrial fisheries provide more than 85% of the domestic fish supply. It also provides livelihoods for about 2 million fishermen and fisher folks in the primary and secondary sectors.
Unfortunately, stakeholders say that the marine artisanal fisheries have been negatively impacted by the development of oil industry as well as environmental degradation in coastal areas where erosion is widespread. Illegal fishing has also contributed to the decreasing productivity of capture fisheries in Nigeria. Some fish species are equally disappearing and a number of stocks caught are decreasing in average size due to over fishing and other harmful fishing practices.
Another trouble area in fish products importation is that of live and processed fish. Importation of live and processed fish, which is said to be without sufficient documentation in Nigeria, remains a serious threat to fish production and human health.
Processed fish alleged to have been produced under unwholesome practices in China and Thailand and brought into Nigeria must be blocked by the government to protect the fisheries industry and human lives, and ensure proper harnessing of the potentials of the sector.
The recent statement by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina refuting media reports that the Federal Government has banned the importation of frozen fish into the country is worrisome to fish farmers in the country.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the minister on media, Dr. Olukayode Oyeleye said: “We hereby emphasise that the claim projecting a total ban on fish import is not true and did not originate from the minister.”
The statement said the Circular of 29th October, 2013 which states that all Bills of Lading must be dated on or before 30th October, 2013 and the fish cargo landed not later than December 31st, 2013, did not ban fish importation. It was directed at having a clear-cut demarcation between frozen fish imported under the old regime and the new regulation coming into effect in January, 2014
He said the decline in Nigeria’s fisheries sub-sector has become obvious for many years. Since 2005, the Federal Government had observed, with concern, the escalating foreign exchange demand for fish imports, in which the Central Bank of Nigeria noticed an unsustainable surge in the demand for foreign exchange for fish imports by various companies operating in Nigeria. This trend has continued unabated and must not be allowed to continue unchecked.
The statement added that the Minister, “In line with Section 15 of the Sea Fisheries Act, has issued new regulations to clean up the abuse in which Nigeria has long been treated as a dumping ground for unwholesome frozen fish. This is in addition to serious trade malpractices associated with frozen fish importation into the country,”.
The Ministry has commenced the process of registration of all artisanal fishing crafts and boats in order to ensure that artisanal sector, which has over the years contributed 80 to 85 per cent of the total fish production in the country, are well organised and duly recognised.
The minister said, uncontrolled importation and imports of large quantities of fish has been used to automatically force down fish prices in the local market, thereby making local producers of fish unable to market their fish.
Fisheries experts and other stakeholders have sadly noted that Nigeria is not really benefitting from the world fish trade, as revenue accruing from its export of fish, shrimps and ornamental fish is negligible compared to the fish import bill.
The huge fish trade imbalance in Nigeria has been identified by analysts as one of the factors responsible for our economic downturn. Many Nigerians are wondering how long Nigeria will continue to enrich the economies of other countries with millions of dollars, annually to the detriment of the nation’s economy.
FISON National President says spending such a huge amount on fish importation leaves a hole in the country’s finances and creates jobs for foreigners when there is a serious unemployment crisis in the country.
Dr. Abdullah lamented that the trend “is a big threat to food and nutritional security of Nigeria”, and must be tackled urgently through phased banning on fish importation.
He said: “Nigerian fishers and fish farmers are hardworking and innovative, however, the huge importation is eroding the fruit of their efforts, thereby frustrating the determination shown by the tremendous increase in production in the last ten years, especially from aquaculture”.