FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE GOVERNANCE

FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON)

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A THREE – WEEK COURSE  “ TRAIN THE TRAINERS” ON FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE GOVERNANCE  ORGANISED BY FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON) IN COLLABORATION WITH WAGENINGEN UR (CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION ) THE NETHERLANDS ; HELD AT TAUBA HOTEL LIMITED OFF SHEHU MUSA YAR”ADUA WAY UTAKO DISTRICT, FCT ABUJA, NIGERIA - 4^TH – 22^ND  MAY , 2015.

A three-week intensive training on Fisheries and Aquaculture Governance was held at TAUBA Hotel Abuja from Monday, 4^th through Friday, 22^nd May, 2015. The course was organized by Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) in collaboration with (CDI) Wageningen UR, the Netherlands. The broad objective of the workshop is to introduce a result based approach to Fisheries and Aquaculture Governance in Nigeria (FAGN) and provide a framework within which the Key Performance Indicators of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Governance will be effectively monitored in a consistent and professional manner.

A total of 20 participants attended the workshop drawn from the Federal and State Departments of Fisheries, Academic and Research Institutes, Nigerian Trawlers’ Owners Association and the Private sector. 

2. During the Opening address, the National President of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Dr. Olajide Ayinla Ffs informed the participants that the purpose of bringing this workshop to Nigeria was to:

(i) Ensure that participants have full benefits of participation, concentration and attention;

(ii) Have a clear understanding of the principles behind FAGN since the  incoming President of Nigeria is expected  to measure the performance of the Fisheries sub sector (FDF) in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through a clear and measurable targets or yardstick and

(iii) Know that this is a “Training the Trainers’ workshop” where participants are expected to train other Professional stakeholders across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria particularly Staff of  Government and Private institutions saddled with the responsibilities of Fisheries and Aquaculture Governance; and it should be noted that this is the first time Aquaculture governance was brought to Africa. He encouraged participants to get the best out of the Resource persons (Mr. Peter van der Heidjen and Mrs. Ingrid Gevers ) from CDI  and wish them memorable stay in Nigeria.

3. Arising from the knowledge gained and lessons learnt from global best practices, the following are the highlights of observations and recommendations reached:

a)      Participants adjudged the training successful and recommended that it should be replicated to update knowledge of management staff and teach all senior cadre - officers at the Federal and State Ministries (especially FDF and SDF); other stakeholders including private sectors interested and / or affected in order to bring about the achievement of the Results and Targets set by the Ministry

b)      The drafted Fisheries Act 2014 is to be reviewed to accommodate policies in the field of Aquaculture especially in the areas of certification and endorsement while fines and penalties on defaulters in the industry should be included.

c)      The participants recommended that the Federal Government should establish Fisheries Commission. However, Aquaculture Development Project is to be introduced at local government levels by States especially in the coastal areas of Nigeria.

d)     Participants suggested that inter and intra Departmental synergy especially between FISON, FDF, Ministries of Environment and Water Resources respectively should be strengthened and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) visits should be timely with clearly defined objectives.

e)      Participants observed a gap in the working relationship between the Desk Officers of FMARD, ADP (Extension) and Research institutes currently. It was suggested that there is need for periodic meetings between the Desk Officers in the ministry (Federal or State), Researchers and Farmers (Farmers’ Forum) to enhance proper working relationships and reporting.

f)       It was agreed by stakeholders that the Syllabi used by Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics, Monotechnics in Fisheries and Aquaculture should be urgently reviewed to accommodate core areas demanded by employers of labour and curtail the current practice of our Graduates being retrained at neighbouring countries .

g)      Participants resolved that Subsidies on inputs for Fisheries and Aquaculture by the government should be at end of production.

h)      The budget allocation for Fisheries sub sector should be improved to allow for synergy with relevant stakeholders for effective governance, data collection, monitoring and evaluation.

i)        Participants noted the importance of certification of Fisheries products and consumer protection; hence, stakeholders in Fisheries sub-sector are advised to adopt principles of Responsible Fisheries and Aquaculture based on global best practices in order to exploit international market.

j)        It was also agreed that State governors should be visited as soon as possible to sensitize them on the need to create Ministries of Fisheries as it is able to reduce unemployment among the youths and women.

4.         The outcomes of the workshop was achieved as participants attested at the closing of the study/workshop to have learned how to develop a Result-Based Monitoring and Evaluation System and its application to the various priority Commodity Value Chain programmes of the Fisheries Industry

5.         The participants wish to use this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the Government of the Netherlands especially CDI who funded the training, Resource persons and Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) for facilitating this very important programme, being the first in Africa.

LIST OF MEMBERS OF COMMINIQUE COMMITTEE                                           

1. MR. SHEHU IBRAHIM MUSAWA (Chairman)

2. PROF. OGBE FRIDAY

3. MR RILIWANU UMAR

4. MR. OBINNA ANOZIE

5. MRS. AGNES OLADIPO

6. MR IBRAHIM ABUBAKAR

7. AGBABIAKA, L. ADEGOKE (PhD), Mfs. (Secretary)

WAR AGAINST ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED FISHING

A new report on Chinese companies’ illegal fishing practices in West African waters was recently released by the environmental watchdog, Greenpeace. The report showed irresponsible Chinese Distant Water Fishing (DWF) companies, including China’s largest DWF company - China National Fisheries Corporation (CNFC) undermining the long-term sustainability of West Africa’s fisheries through persistent Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices, including systematic fishing vessel tonnage fraud and the exportation of a destructive fisheries model. It observed that West African fisheries resources are increasingly being overfished and that, while these Chinese DWF companies’ activities contribute little to China's overall overseas investments, they undermine the mutually-beneficial partnership which the Chinese government is seeking with African countries. The report further went on to call on the Chinese government to urgently reform its DWF regulatory framework and management system to close the loopholes that have allowed Chinese companies to overfish and flout rules with quasi impunity for decades. It also called on West African governments to urgently strengthen governance and adopt and implement policies to ensure that the exploitation of their marine resources is environmentally sustainable and socially equitable. The report ended with a plea that all States concerned should also adopt and implement effective national and regional plans of action to combat and deter IUU fishing in the region.

I add my voice to the call of Greenpeace, that while West African governments wake up to their responsibilities, sub-regional governments like Bayelsa State should put in measures to combat IUU within the state by enacting into law the Fisheries Bill that has been packaged and submitted to the State’ Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources by the Bayelsa State Chapter of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON). It should also establish an effective, well equipped and funded Monitoring, Control and Surveillance unit (MCS) in the State Department of fisheries to ensure sustainability of fisheries resources.

Inception meeting for 2015 Cropping Season in Lagos organised by USAID-funded MARKETS II

Reception for Prof. Abiodun Adeyemo and Prof. Reginald Keremah and induction of graduating students of Niger Delta University into Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON)

30th Annual Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) Conference Delta 2015

PRESS RELEASE

                 

FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON)

Old College, Bar Beach Bus Stop, Wilmot Point Road, Off Ahmadu Bello Way,

Victoria Island, P.O. Box 2607, Apapa, Lagos. fison2011@yahoo.com,www.fison.org.ng,fison1976@gmail.com

08023261588, 08023325185, 08023545803

23^rd February, 2015

PRESS RELEASE

SEVEN DAYS EVICTION NOTICE BY THE NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY (NPA) TO FISH TRAWLING COMPANIES IN KIRIKIRI LIGHTER TERMINAL 1 AND 2

The Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) is an organization established for the purpose of enhancing the development of the Nigerian fisheries Industry and the attendant protection of its members. The Nigerian Fisheries Forum (NFF) and the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) are affiliate member associations of FISON.

Our attention has been drawn to the seven (7) days eviction notice by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to fish trawling companies to quit their present location, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal 2 (KTT2)  as NPA intends to allocate the said property to the Maritime Operators of Containers.

It is important to note from the records available that the Supreme Military Council (SMC) the highest policy making body in Nigeria during General Obasanjo’s regime in the 1970s approved the concession of KLT 1 and 2 to the Federal Department of Fisheries (FDF) for the development as a dedicated CENTRALIZED FISHING TERMINAL, Harbour complex particularly for Tuna Fishing vessels and other categories of fishing vessels on behalf of all the entire fishing companies in Nigeria. The allocation of the said property was duly publicized in a gazette.

In view of the fact that the collective concession was done in the interest of the overall public, NPA has no right to allocate the said property to a few Nigerian Operators of Containers without going through due process. It is very important to note that Federal Department Fisheries paid the concession fee to NPA on behalf of all fishing companies.

The main objective for the allocated concession done by Government in the 1970s was to develop a Tuna Fishing Industry which was very important for Nigeria to diversify her economy in view of the down trend in oil industry even now. Ghana a West African neighbour of Nigeria has developed its Tuna fisheries with a labour force of three million people employed. This eviction notice must not be allowed to be enforced in view of the windows of investment opportunities available in Tuna Fishing.

It is important to note that thirty (30) of the (34) fishing trawling companies operating in Nigeria within the last decade have relocated to other neighbouring West African countries where they claim that the fishing environment is more conducive for investment than in Nigeria . With Public Private Participation (PPP) approach, Federal Government can develop a viable fishing terminal that will open up Nigeria for Tuna fishing.

Our plea to the Federal Government is to please prevail on NPA not to evict fishing companies for the reasons stated above.

Dr. Olajide Adeleke Ayinla, Fellow Fisheries Society of Nigeria

NATIONAL PRESIDENT

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 1ST FISHERIES STAKEHOLDERS MEETING ORGANIZED THE FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON) HELD AT THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE FOR OCEANOGRAPHY AND MARINE RESEARCH, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS ON THURSDAY 29TH JANUARY 2015

The Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) held the 1^st Fisheries stakeholders meeting at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday 29^th January 2015 with the aim of reappraising the fisheries sub-sector and proffering solutions to identified challenges.

Stakeholders were drawn from the Academia, Embassies, Fish Farmers, Feed Producers, Fish Processors, Civil Servants, Fish Marketers, Students and Non-Governmental Organizations.

The meeting was chaired by the National President of Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN), Chief Tayo Akingbolagun. Goodwill messages were given by the Director of Fisheries, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Pastor Aderemi Abioye and representatives of NITOA, CAFAN, TADAN, AFISUN, NUFAS, WINROCK, and the Advocacy for Fisheries group, among others.

Stakeholders were broken into sessions, including the following: Industrial/Artisanal fisheries, Brookstock and fingerlings production, fish production, women in fisheries, fish marketing, fish feed, fish processing and value addition, fish transportation/ornamental fisheries, Charter strategy/Human resources development, and Review of Fisheries Act.

At the end of the meeting, stakeholders identified the following challenges facing fisheries:

Illegal incursion of foreign fishing vessels into Nigerian Territorial waters and lack of surveillance, control and monitoring of our waters.

Absence of adequate fisheries data base.

The current Fisheries Acts of 1992 are now obsolete.

The relationship between the Ministry, Department of Fisheries and the Fisheries Commission is not clearly stated in the proposed Fisheries Act.

High cost of raw materials and fisheries equipment.

Overlapping/conflicting roles of regulating bodies.

No standardized processing methods.

Non-compliance to standard packaging materials.

Ornamental fisheries has been neglected over decades.

High licensing fees for the use of natural water bodies for aquacultural purposes such as fish cage culture.

Participants made the following recommendations for fisheries to go forward in Nigeria:

Updating and speeding up of the enactment of Fisheries Act with clear cut definition of duties of the Federal Department of Fisheries, States, local Government and private sector.

Monitoring, Control and Surveillance should be improved upon to discourage illegal fishing and poaching.

Private sector should go into Tuna exploitation to reduce our fish import bill and develop local Tuna canning industry.

Private sector to consider collaborating with NIOMR to operate the Research vessel of the institute for the purpose of fishing pelagic species for fish meal production.

Stakeholders should be encouraged to develop comprehensive data base for the industry.

Stock assessment and enhancement should be carried out in our natural water bodies.

Government should encourage private sector to establish commercial fish feed mills in the six geo-political zones of the country emphasizing locally available feed materials in the zones.

Stakeholders agreed that there should be standardization and certification of processing and packaging of fish and fish products

Aggressive enlightenment campaign should be carried out on consumers on the health benefits of consuming wholesome fish and fish products.

The forum identified the immense contribution of women in value addition and marketing, and that they should be supported with EASY access to soft loans and encouraged to imbibe modern technology.

Stakeholders also identified the need for broodstock development of various fish species and availability of viable fingerlings production.

Ornamental fisheries should be recognized as a veritable economic venture in the country.

There should be a renewed interest in the use of water bodies across the country for cage aquaculture that is capable of increasing production within a short period of time.

Stakeholders have tasked themselves to be self-sufficient in food fish production in the country and encourage government to implement a phased ban on fish importation.

CONCLUSION

Stakeholders called on Government to establish a Fisheries Commission and immediately start the process of chartering the fisheries profession. A Committee was immediately set up to coordinate the effort of the Society towards the charter. Participants also advised that since there is a fall in the price of crude oil in the international market, there should be a stimulus to galvanize the fisheries sub-sector and as such a zero import duty on all fisheries and aquacultural inputs is being recommended. Stakeholders also suggested a regime of 1 and 2.5 percent interest rate for aquacultural and fisheries allied investments respectively.

---

FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON) FISHERIES SUBSECTOR STAKEHOLDERS FORUM

Fisheries Society of Nigeria is inviting you to the Fisheries sub-sector stakeholders meeting scheduled to take place on Thursday 29th January 2015 at the Conference Room of the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria at 9.00 am with registration at 8.00 am.

The Stakeholders meeting will be a brainstorming session that would catalyze activities that would move the fisheries sub-sector forward.

Expecting you.

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 29TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON)

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 29^TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON) HELD AT ROYAL CHOICE INN, 20 GONDO ALUOR, OLD GRA, LOBI QUARTERS, MAKURDI, BENUE STATE FROM 24^TH – 28^TH NOVEMBER 2014

The Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) held her 29^th Annual Conference at Royal Choice Inn, 20, Gondo Aluor Road, Old GRA, Lobi Quarters, Makurdi, Benue State from 24^th to 28^th November, 2014 with  the theme: ‘Fisheries Productivity and Environmental Sustainability: Challenges of achieving the National Transformation Agenda’.

Participants were drawn from the Academia, Fish Farmers, Feed Producers, Fish Processors, Civil Servants, Non-Governmental Organizations, Fish Marketers and Students.

The Conference was declared open by His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Gabriel T. Suswam, who was ably represented by the Secretary to the Benue State Government, Dr. David Salifu.

The Keynote address entitled ‘Biotechnology in Fisheries’ was presented by the Director-General of National Biotechnology Agency, Abuja, Prof. Lucy Ogbadu.  In addition, two invited papers, titled: ‘Aquaculture Intensification, Productivity and Sustainability’ by Dr. C.T. Madu, Ffs., Provost, Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, New Bussa, Niger State and ‘Fish Processing and Preservation, A New Approach’ by Dr. Roselyn Obande, Provost Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga, Borno State, were presented.

Scientific papers on different sub-themes of the Conference were presented at the Technical Sessions. Also a book titled ‘Evolutionary Trends in Nigeria’s Fisheries Development; written by one of the founding fathers of FISON, Mr. Akinade A. Olaniawo, Ffs., was presented and launched, while a workshop on Fishing gear and aquarium production was carried out for Students.

At the end of the Conference, participants:

(i)               Assessed the Agricultural Transformation Action Plan of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda and observed that FISON had not been engaged fully in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda currently going on in Nigeria.  Conferees therefore urge government to fully involve professional bodies, Civil Societies and Producer organizations which have been identified as one of the ‘major catalysts in the achievement of sustainable sector reform policies worldwide.

(ii)            Expressed concern over the absence of a National Fisheries Policy and our out-dated Fisheries laws.  Members therefore call on government to quickly formulate a National Fisheries Policy in partnership with all Stakeholders, so as to ensure best practices in Fisheries.  Conferees also call for the immediate enactment of the draft Fisheries Act 2014, which is a review and update of Inland and Sea Fisheries decrees of 1992, sponsored by the European Commission, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders in the sector.

(iii)         Call on government once more,  as a matter of urgency, to implement the National Aquaculture Development Programme (NADP), the Aquaculture Value Chain Programme and the Artisanal Fisheries Value Chain Project, just as it’s being done in other commodities under the Ministry of Agriculture’s mandate.

(iv)          Expressed concern on the policy of ban on importation of fish and the subsequent granting of licences for importation of same.  Conferees see this as contradicting in government import substitution policy, and therefore recommend the complete stoppage of imported farmed Fish which is now flooding our markets and killing local production and consequently the economy.  Members further suggested a way of regulating fish importation and monies realized be used to set-up Fisheries and aquaculture development fund to facilitate investment in the sector.

(v)             Remind Government to actualize without delay the political commitment of African Heads of State as contained in the Abuja Declaration on Food Security as it relates to Fisheries and Aquaculture.

(vi)          Call on government to support the efforts of the Society towards professionalizing the industry through Charter for international best practices.

(vii)       Observed painfully that Monitoring, Surveillance and Control units in the Federal Department of Fisheries and State Departments of Fisheries are un-equipped and grossly under-staffed.  Consequently, most of our water bodies are being illegally fished and not monitored, while Fisheries data are unreliable.  Conferees call on government to adequately fund our Departments of Fisheries, and recruit more Fisheries graduates.

CONCLUSION

Participants expressed satisfaction with the outgoing Executive Council and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for a successful Conference.  Participants further appreciate the Government and people of Benue State for their warm hospitality.

Communique Drafting Committee

1.     Prof. Victoria Ayuba             -        Chairperson                

2.     Prof. I.A. Adikwu                  -        Member                       

3.      Prof. R.J. Kolo                      -        Member                       

4.     Prof. L.O. Tiamiyu                -        Member                       

5.     Dr. S.G. Solomon                  -        Member                       

6.     Dr. Tonbara' Kingdom           -        Secretary                      

Final year Fisheries students 2013/2014 just completing their final exams.