The Fisheries
Society of Nigeria (FISON) held her 30th Annual Conference at the
ETF Hall, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba from 23rd to
27th November 2015 with the theme: “The Fisheries Sub-sector in a Declining Oil-based Economy: Paradigm
Shift for Economic Diversification and Employment Generation”.
Participants were drawn from the Academia, Fish
Farmers, Feed Producers, Fish Processors, Civil Servants, Non-Governmental
Organizations, International Community, Fish Marketers and Students.
The Conference was declared opened by His Excellency,
the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, who
was ably represented by the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Hon. Ovie
Agas.
The Keynote address entitled “The Fisheries Sub-sector
in a Declining Oil-based Economy: Paradigm Shift for Economic Diversification
and Employment Generation” was delivered by the former Vice Chancellor of
Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure, Ondo State, Prof. Adebisi M,
Balogun, ffs. In addition, Dr. (Mrs) Achor, who represented the Executive
Secretary of the National University Commission (NUC) gave a goodwill message.
An award/Dinner night was held on the 25th
of November 2015, where ambassadorial and merit awards were given to two State
Governors and others. These are:
·
His
Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa – Governor, Delta State
·
His
Excellency, Chief (DR.) Willie O. Obiano – Governor, Anambra State
· Hon.
Afam C. Mbanefo - Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural
Development
· Hon.
Emeka M. Iloghalu – Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor on Fisheries
Scientific papers on different sub-themes of the
Conference were presented at the Technical Sessions. Also, in the Farmer’s
Forum, Dr. G.A. Akande, ffs, the Executive Director of Nigerian Institute for
Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), presented an invited paper titled
“Encouraging value addition through Value Chain approaches in Fisheries and
Aquaculture Businesses”. Mr. Misan Edema, the Market Development Officer,
Aquaculture Value Chain, PIND Foundation, also delivered an invited paper
titled “Growing the Aquaculture Sector using Market Development Approach”,
while Hon. Afam C. Mabanefo presented a paper titled “Revolution in
Aquaculture: Anambra State Experience”.
At the end of the Conference, the participants agreed
to henceforth emphasize a business approach to all Fisheries and Aquaculture
production. To achieve this, participants concluded that there must be value
addition to the Fisheries Value Chains of supply and the willingness of
Government at various levels of Federal, State and Local to focus on investing
in the Fisheries Sub-sector of the economy.
Participants also reaffirmed the importance of
Fisheries and Aquaculture as integral part of agriculture, which has the
capacity to increase the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and can solve
the unemployment problem of our teeming youths, if adequately managed.
Conferees expressed concern over:
I.
The
challenges experienced in meeting the large deficit in the fish supply/demand
and over-independence on fish importation
II.
The
obsolete laws and inconsistency in fisheries policies
III.
The
inadequate input support for fish feed and seed for aquaculture and the near
collapse of infrastructural and technical support for industrial and artisanal
fisheries
IV.
Poor
budgetary allocation and funding to the fisheries sub-sector.
Participants, therefore, call on Government to improve
budget allocation to fisheries sub-sector in line with the Maputo agreement on agriculture budgetary allocation. In light of
the dwindling revenues, as a result of the fall in price of crude oil in the
international market, participants emphasized the need for Government to
provide stimulus to galvanize the Fisheries Sub-sector by giving a zero import
duty on all Fisheries and Aquaculture inputs, while interest rate on
aquacultural and fisheries allied investments should be pegged between 1 and
2.5 percent.
CONCLUSION Participants resolved that 2016
Conference be held in Kastina State, while Lagos State should host the 2017
edition of the FISON National Conference. Participants expressed satisfaction
with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for a successful Conference and
appreciates the various sponsors and the good people and Government of Delta
State for their hospitality.
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