Thursday 24 November 2016

FISON New NEC Officers Elected at Annual General Meeting in Katsina

New officers of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria have been elected to pilot the affairs of the Society for the next two years. Names of the members of the the Exco are given below.

NAME
Position
Dr. A.O. Ayinla, ffs
President
Dr. Bola B. Adekoya, ffs
1st Vice President
Prof. Emmanuel F. Ude , ffs
2nd Vice President
Dr. Lukman A. Agbabiaka, ffs
3rd Vice President
Dr. Tonbara’ Kingdom, mfs
4th Vice President
Dr. Mohammed Diyaware, mfs
Secretary
Dr. Akinyemi A. Adeolu, mfs
Financial Secretary
Mrs. Justina Balogun, mfs

Treasurer
Mr. Simon Iorchor, mfs
Public Relations Officer
Dr. Jerry Ekelemu, mfs
Assistant National Secretary

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 31ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF FISON HELD AT THE UMARU MUSA YARDUA UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM, KATSINA FROM 30TH – 4TH NOV., 2016

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 31ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF FISON HELD AT THE UMARU MUSA YARDUA UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM, KATSINA FROM 30TH – 4TH NOV., 2016

THEME: Harnessing Resources for Fisheries and Agriculture transformation: A panacea for food and security in Nigeria

The participants were drawn from the academia, fish farmers, fish processors, fish marketers, civil and public servants, NGOs and Students.

The conference was declared open by His Excellency Rt. Hon. Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, the Executive Governor of Katsina State, represented by Dr. Abba Abdullah, the Special Adviser to the Katsina State Governor on Agriculture.

The keynote address titled, “Low Productivity in Capture Fisheries: Issues, Challenges and Matters Arising” was delivered by Prof. Bolorunduro of the NEARLS, ABU, Zaria.

The Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was represented by the Director of Federal Department of Fisheries, Mallam Muazu Mohammed, who presented a goodwill message and used the opportunity to highlight the policy thrust of the Federal Government for the development of fisheries sector.

The Society appreciated the contribution of Katsina State Government for her financial and moral support to the success of the conference. The State was also commended for her giant strides in fisheries and aquaculture development irrespective of her location in the arid zone of the country. The State Chapter of the Society and Umar Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, was appreciated by the FISON for hosting and providing conducive venue for the conference respectively.
The technical sections included:

a.      Scientific research paper presentations in Fish biology and pathology, Aquaculture, Capture fisheries, fish processing and value addition, Ecotoxicology and Environment and Socio-Economics and Marketing.

b.      Students’ poster presentation, Quiz and scientific paper presentations.

c.       Farmers’ Forum: The following papers were presented: Role of women in Fisheries/Aquaculture in a declining economy by Dr. Ebinimi Ansa, Mfs.
Export potential of fish products in the global markets by Prof. P.I. Bolorunduro, Ffs.
During the conference, the Society awarded honorary fellowship to the following distinguished personalities:

        i.            His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, OFR, (Emir of Katsina)
      ii.            His Royal Highness, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, (Emir of Daura)
    iii.            His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR (Executive Governor of Kano State).
     iv.            Dr. Maraliyya Zayyan, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Federal University Dutsi-ma.
       v.            Prof. Idris Isa Funtua, Vice Chancellor, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina
     vi.            Prof. Haruna Abdu Kaita, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Dutsi-ma

At the end of the conference the Fisheries Society of Nigeria came up with the following resolutions:
·         The Society commended the Federal Government for her effort in building upon Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the previous administration by coming up with the Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP).

·         The Society believed that for Nigeria to be self - sufficient in fish production and reduce foreign exchange loss through fish importation, more emphasis should be placed on aquaculture, which has been recognized as the fastest growing food production sector in the world. That the water resources of the country, particularly reservoirs, be put to maximum use through cage culture and stock enhancement. The Society, therefore suggested that FDF, FISON and other stakeholders should work together to develop a pragmatic blueprint to achieve this goal.

·         The Society also recognizes the need to diversify the culturable species (apart from Catfish) to other species like Tilapia, Heterotis, Labeo, Chrisichthys etc. Therefore the Federal Government was encouraged to fund research in this direction.

·         The Society noticed that the Federal Department of Fisheries is grossly incapacitated as a result of lack of staff at low and middle levels, it therefore appealed to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) to recruit fisheries officers and technicians as a matter of urgency to replace the ageing and retiring officers for the purpose of continuity.
·         The Society wants the Federal Department of Fisheries (FDF) to resuscitate the annual publication of National Fisheries Development and Statistic Directory which has been stopped for some years. A National Fisheries Development and Statistic Technical Committee for moderating fisheries statistics is suggested by the Society.

·         The Society requested the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to collaborate with Federal Department of Fisheries, Research Institutes and universities in the pre-impoundment study before a reservoir is constructed. This will enable fisheries development to be factored into the development of these water bodies.

·         The Society recognized that Nigerian fisheries products are finding it difficult to make inroad into the international market because the country lacks food certification procedure. The Society therefore implored the Federal Department of Fisheries to fast track the development of certification with the Federal Ministry of Justice to enable farmers and fisher folks tap into the international market.

·         In addition to certification, the Society understand that the Food Safety Bill requires National Fish Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory, it therefore implored the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to pursue the establishment of this laboratory for fish and livestock and their products in Nigeria.

·         In the area of coastal fisheries, the Society wants the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through the Federal Department of Fisheries to quickly intervene in the threat to take away Kirikiri Light Terminal from Nigerian Fisheries Trawler’s Owners Association (NITOA) by Nigerian Port Authority (NPA).

·          The Society also frowned at the situation in which individuals import exotic fishes into the country for culture production without taking into consideration the effect on the genetic diversity of the indigenous fish species. The Society implored the National Quarantine Services to work in collaboration with Federal Department of Fisheries to curb this unwholesome practice.

·         The Society recognized the need to partner with private sector fish farmers in the development of the sector especially when they are the main beneficiary of research and policy of the government.

·         The Society also put forward that there should be a paradigm shift in the agricultural extensive method from what government can do for the farmers to encouraging and building on the strength of the farmers.

·         The Society recognized the need for various state chapters to be up and doing in order to champion the issues of fisheries development in their states.


Communiqué writing committee
1.      Prof S.J. Oniye
2.      Prof. J. Auta
3.      Dr. J.K. Ekelemu
4.      Dr. B.D. Olaosebikan


COMMUNIQUE OF THE 31ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF FISON HELD AT THE UMARU MUSA YARDUA UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM, KATSINA FROM 30TH – 4TH NOV., 2016

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 31ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF FISON HELD AT THE UMARU MUSA YARDUA UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM, KATSINA FROM 30TH – 4TH NOV., 2016

THEME: Harnessing Resources for Fisheries and Agriculture transformation: A panacea for food and security in Nigeria

The participants were drawn from the academia, fish farmers, fish processors, fish marketers, civil and public servants, NGOs and Students.

The conference was declared open by His Excellency Rt. Hon. Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, the Executive Governor of Katsina State, represented by Dr. Abba Abdullah, the Special Adviser to the Katsina State Governor on Agriculture.

The keynote address titled, “Low Productivity in Capture Fisheries: Issues, Challenges and Matters Arising” was delivered by Prof. Bolorunduro of the NEARLS, ABU, Zaria.

The Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was represented by the Director of Federal Department of Fisheries, Mallam Muazu Mohammed, who presented a goodwill message and used the opportunity to highlight the policy thrust of the Federal Government for the development of fisheries sector.

The Society appreciated the contribution of Katsina State Government for her financial and moral support to the success of the conference. The State was also commended for her giant strides in fisheries and aquaculture development irrespective of her location in the arid zone of the country. The State Chapter of the Society and Umar Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, was appreciated by the FISON for hosting and providing conducive venue for the conference respectively.
The technical sections included:

a.      Scientific research paper presentations in Fish biology and pathology, Aquaculture, Capture fisheries, fish processing and value addition, Ecotoxicology and Environment and Socio-Economics and Marketing.

b.      Students’ poster presentation, Quiz and scientific paper presentations.

c.       Farmers’ Forum: The following papers were presented: Role of women in Fisheries/Aquaculture in a declining economy by Dr. Ebinimi Ansa, Mfs.
Export potential of fish products in the global markets by Prof. P.I. Bolorunduro, Ffs.
During the conference, the Society awarded honorary fellowship to the following distinguished personalities:

        i.            His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, OFR, (Emir of Katsina)
      ii.            His Royal Highness, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, (Emir of Daura)
    iii.            His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR (Executive Governor of Kano State).
     iv.            Dr. Maraliyya Zayyan, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Federal University Dutsi-ma.
       v.            Prof. Idris Isa Funtua, Vice Chancellor, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina
     vi.            Prof. Haruna Abdu Kaita, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Dutsi-ma

At the end of the conference the Fisheries Society of Nigeria came up with the following resolutions:
·         The Society commended the Federal Government for her effort in building upon Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the previous administration by coming up with the Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP).

·         The Society believed that for Nigeria to be self - sufficient in fish production and reduce foreign exchange loss through fish importation, more emphasis should be placed on aquaculture, which has been recognized as the fastest growing food production sector in the world. That the water resources of the country, particularly reservoirs, be put to maximum use through cage culture and stock enhancement. The Society, therefore suggested that FDF, FISON and other stakeholders should work together to develop a pragmatic blueprint to achieve this goal.

·         The Society also recognizes the need to diversify the culturable species (apart from Catfish) to other species like Tilapia, Heterotis, Labeo, Chrisichthys etc. Therefore the Federal Government was encouraged to fund research in this direction.

·         The Society noticed that the Federal Department of Fisheries is grossly incapacitated as a result of lack of staff at low and middle levels, it therefore appealed to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) to recruit fisheries officers and technicians as a matter of urgency to replace the ageing and retiring officers for the purpose of continuity.
·         The Society wants the Federal Department of Fisheries (FDF) to resuscitate the annual publication of National Fisheries Development and Statistic Directory which has been stopped for some years. A National Fisheries Development and Statistic Technical Committee for moderating fisheries statistics is suggested by the Society.

·         The Society requested the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to collaborate with Federal Department of Fisheries, Research Institutes and universities in the pre-impoundment study before a reservoir is constructed. This will enable fisheries development to be factored into the development of these water bodies.

·         The Society recognized that Nigerian fisheries products are finding it difficult to make inroad into the international market because the country lacks food certification procedure. The Society therefore implored the Federal Department of Fisheries to fast track the development of certification with the Federal Ministry of Justice to enable farmers and fisher folks tap into the international market.

·         In addition to certification, the Society understand that the Food Safety Bill requires National Fish Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory, it therefore implored the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to pursue the establishment of this laboratory for fish and livestock and their products in Nigeria.

·         In the area of coastal fisheries, the Society wants the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through the Federal Department of Fisheries to quickly intervene in the threat to take away Kirikiri Light Terminal from Nigerian Fisheries Trawler’s Owners Association (NITOA) by Nigerian Port Authority (NPA).

·          The Society also frowned at the situation in which individuals import exotic fishes into the country for culture production without taking into consideration the effect on the genetic diversity of the indigenous fish species. The Society implored the National Quarantine Services to work in collaboration with Federal Department of Fisheries to curb this unwholesome practice.

·         The Society recognized the need to partner with private sector fish farmers in the development of the sector especially when they are the main beneficiary of research and policy of the government.

·         The Society also put forward that there should be a paradigm shift in the agricultural extensive method from what government can do for the farmers to encouraging and building on the strength of the farmers.

·         The Society recognized the need for various state chapters to be up and doing in order to champion the issues of fisheries development in their states.


Communiqué writing committee
1.      Prof S.J. Oniye
2.      Prof. J. Auta
3.      Dr. J.K. Ekelemu
4.      Dr. B.D. Olaosebikan


Memories of the 2nd Public Lecture and Awards organized by the Bayelsa State Chapter of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON)

















Saturday 8 October 2016

FISON CONFERENCE KATSINA 2016

The Local Organizing Committee of the 31st Annual National Conference of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) scheduled to hold in Katsina between the 23rd and 27th October, 2016 has announced the postponement of the Conference to now start on the 30th of October till the 4th of November, 2016. The postponement is highly regretted.