COMMUNIQUE OF THE 38th ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF FISON HELD AT THE NIGER DELTA UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF LAW CAMPUS, YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE FROM 27 NOVEMBER TO 1ST DECEMBER, 2023
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 Senator Douye Diri, the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, represented by Hon. David Alagoa, the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The keynote address titled, “Harnessing Resources for Fisheries in the Blue Economy of Nigeria” was delivered by the erudite Professor Francis David Sikoki, Ffs, Dean, Faculty of Science, University of Africa, Toru-Orua and immediate past Chairman Council of Fellows of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria.
The Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security was represented by the Director, Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, who presented a goodwill message and used the opportunity to highlight the policy thrust of the Federal Government for the development of the fisheries sector. He stressed the importance of fish biodiversity and economic resources of the country for promoting sustainable management, research and learning. He also called on FISON to collaborate with other agencies, in other to proffer solutions to challenges of the marine resources conservation, preservation and sustainability in the development of blue economy.
Technical sessions were held at Niger Delta University (NDU) Faculty of Law, Yenagoa. Presentations were done based on thirteen (13) sub –themes of the conference as follows: Aquatic Ecosystem Pollution and Biomonitoring, Ecotourism in a blue economy, Fish pathology, Fish Post- harvest Technology, Fisheries development and climate change, Fisheries Technology and Innovation, Fisheries governance and management, Fisheries Market Systems Development, Gender Issues in Fish Production, Information and Communication Technology for Fisheries Development, Managing and Sustaining Marine Life, Sustainable Artisanal and Coastal Aquaculture.
During the 38th Annual Conference at Yenagoa, Bayelsa practicing fish farmers were given opportunity to discuss with fisheries professionals. The farmers came from all the states and FCT. While Bayelsa fish farmers complained of high cost of feed, accessibility of quality fingerlings, unavailability of market for the selling of fishery products and lack of fund or grants from government, some stakeholders, like the proprietor of Aquabashy Fisheries Foundation, Ilorin, Kwara State and the Managing Director/CEO of The Big Blue Aquaculture Ltd in Tiga, Kano, agreed on the challenges of marketing and value addition in Nigeria. They also explained to the forum the potentials of production of diverse species of local fishes and sought for collaboration between FISON, government and non- governmental organizations (NGOs) in boosting the fishery and aquaculture sector. The President World Aquaculture Society- African Chapter, also highlighted the issues of marketing of the farmed fishes especially catfish, access to international markets, roles and responsibility of stakeholders and fish farmers’ participation in certification processes.
During the conference, under the Chairmanship of Deaconess Foluke Areola, ffs, the first female President of FISON and the current President of World Aquaculture Society African Chapter (WAS-AC), the Society awarded honorary fellowship to His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and two others were given awards of special recognition, namely, Honourable Chief David Alagoa, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bayelsa State and Mr. Okelezo Jonathan Omanudhowho, CEO/ MD Okelo Agro Farms Nigeria, Limited, Delta State. Seventeen others were conferred as Fellows of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (Ffs), which is the highest honour that the Society bestows on her members, in recognition of their significant contributions to the advancement of fisheries practice in Nigeria and beyond.
At the end of the conference the Fisheries Society of Nigeria came up with the following resolutions:
i. FISON applauded the contributions of Bayelsa State government in boosting the Fisheries and Aquaculture sectors and appreciate the support in ensuring a successful conference of the Society and at the same time, the Society is looking forward to collaborating with the State Government, in improving and strengthening the fisheries sector in the State.
ii. There is urgent need for clarity on the position of the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in the newly created Ministry of Marine Resources and Blue economy.
iii. There is also the need for partnership between FISON, SON, NAFDAC, NGOs, other standard organizations, and international organizations such as WAS with view to ensuring that the Nigeria’s fishery products met requirements for certification, standardization, and export.
iv. There is need for update on the value addition processes employed by our fish processors to ensure long shelf life and standardization.
v. There is urgent need for government and FISON to develop models in Eco-tourism, Advanced Industrial Fishing Technology, etc.
vi. The participants were concerned on the inclusion of youths and women in the fisheries and aquaculture development agenda (on the artisanal fishery or small-scale fishery sector in supplying fish to the populace for food security and improve their livelihoods)
vii. There is urgent need for backward integration in reducing the cost of feed by removing import duty/tariffs on imported components of fish feed by the government.
viii. There is the need for Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) to involve all the stakeholders and collaborate with World Aquaculture Society/ African Region to achieve the desired aims and objectives.
ix. The Society also recognizes the need to diversify the culturable species (apart from Catfish) to other species like Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia), Heterotis niloticus (ekou, ako, slap water, or arowana), Gymnarchus (abah or trunk fish), Citharinus citharus (moon fish), Labeo coubie (Niger carp), Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (silver catfish), etc. Therefore, the Federal and State governments were encouraged to fund research in this direction.
x. Participants noticed that fisheries data generation and management is very poor and the need for a holistic approach towards its improvement which will lead to the revival of fisheries statistics committees for the States and Federal Government.
xi. The FISON President, Dr Ebinimi J. Ansa Ffs and NEC commend the effort, commitment and activities of the state chapters and look forward to better programmes and results.
xii. The Society also recognized the financial support of various sponsors during the Conference.
xiii. Participants resolved that 2024 FISON Conference should be held in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
