The International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) has called for an urgent shift from dependence on wild-capture fishing to aquaculture as part of measures to tackle declining fish stocks and growing food insecurity in the country.
The institute’s Director-General, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Christopher Udofia (rtd), made the call while speaking at a national maritime conference on sustainable fishing and the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
Udofia said Nigeria’s fisheries sector was facing serious sustainability challenges and needed stronger regulation, reliable data and modern technology to reverse the trend.
He said the country could not continue to exploit marine resources without protecting them for future generations.
“To transition from vulnerability to long-term sustainability and food security, Nigeria must boldly chart a new course defined by disciplined execution and measurable performance indicators,” he said.
The IMION chief proposed a five-pillar strategy covering regulatory enforcement, scientific research, aquaculture, maritime surveillance and community participation.
He called for increased investment in cage farming in coastal lagoons, alongside cold-chain facilities, modern processing technology and training to reduce post-harvest losses.
According to him, an aggressive transition to aquaculture would make fish production more predictable while creating opportunities for women and young people.
Udofia also urged the Federal Government to strengthen the use of Vessel Monitoring Systems and satellite surveillance to track fishing activities and enforce catch limits.
He said research institutions, including the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, should be empowered to provide reliable data for determining catch limits, closed seasons and marine protected areas.
On enforcement, Udofia called for better coordination among maritime security agencies, port regulators and fisheries authorities, while noting the Nigerian Navy’s efforts against piracy and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
He further advocated community-based fisheries management, saying coastal communities should be given legitimate roles in managing marine resources.
“When communities possess a legal, vested ownership stake in their marine environment, they naturally become the frontline defence against destructive practices,” he said.
Discussion0