USAID/MARKETS II Aquaculture Wet Field Day at Agadaga Multipurpose Fish Farm at Ekpan, Warri, Delta State

USAID NIGERIA/MARKETS II AQUACULTURE PRE-SEASON STEP-DOWN TRAINING IN DELTA AND EDO STATES

Strategic canned catfish Innovation platform: a collaboration between FARA and NIOMR

There are strong indications that catfish will soon be canned in Nigeria commercially going by the stories coming out from the visit of the Executive Director of FARA, Dr. Yemi Akunbamijo to NIOMR, Lagos.

Bayelsa FISON has a new Exco

The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) has a new Executive. Members of the the Executive include:

Prof. Abiodun O. Adeyemo                           Chairperson
Mr. Dorrick Oginike                                      Vice Chairperson
Mr. Duke Eduke                                             Secretary
Mr. Woyinpreye Mebine                                Assistant Secretary
Mr. Phillip Inegite                                          Treasurer
Dr. Tonbara' Kingdom                                    Editor

Wishing them goodluck in their various assignments

USAID/MARKETS II Pre/In-Season ToT Aquaculture Training in Ekpan, Ughelli, Kwale and Benin

Memories of the 30th annual conference of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria ( FISON ) held in Asaba, Delta State

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 30TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON)

The Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) held her 30^th Annual Conference at the ETF Hall, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba from 23^rd to 27^th 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 25^th 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.

Communique Drafting Committee                                                                           Prof. Samuel Zelibe                                                                                                   Prof. Clarkson Edema (JP)                                                                                         Prof. Hakeem Fashina-Bombatta                                                                                  Dr. Jerry K. Ekelemu                                                                                                    Dr. Tonbara’ Kingdom

COMMUNIQUE OF THE INNOVATION PLATFORM MEETING OF FISON

The Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) held the Innovation Platform meeting at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Victoria Island, Lagos between Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th November 2015 with the aim of repositioning the fisheries sub-sector for our National fish sufficiency and food fish sovereignty.
Stakeholders were drawn from the Academia, Fish Farmers, Feed Producers, Fish Processors, Civil Servants, Fish Marketers and Non-Governmental Organizations.

The meetings were co-chaired by the National President of Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN), Chief Tayo Akingbolagun and the Chairman of Council of Fellows (COF), Prof. E. O. Faturoti, Ffs. Goodwill messages were given by representatives of NITOA, CAFAN, TADAN, FDF, Nigerian Navy and the Advocacy for Fisheries group, among others.

Stakeholders were broken into three main Innovation Platforms and deliberated on the following issues:
• Certification processes in Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Marketing strategy for local and export markets
• Networking among stakeholders including governance issue
• Value chain mapping
• Development of demand driven research
• Extension technology issues
• Fish health management
• Guideline of the charter issue of FISON
After two days of deliberation, stakeholders were able to develop guidelines for the operations of fisheries and aquaculture in Nigeria. These guidelines include the visions for the various platforms, procedures for certification and standardization of fish products and charter of fisheries professionals. Also included in the guidelines were strategies for enrolling relevant fisheries professionals and proper monitoring and surveillance of our industrial and artisanal fisheries.
Stakeholders also agreed that fisheries is a business and therefore re-emphasize their earlier call that there should be a stimulus to galvanize the fisheries sub-sector, such as:
• Zero import duty on all fisheries and aquacultural inputs be implemented
• That a regime of 1 and 2.5 percent interest rate for aquacultural and fisheries allied enterprises be implemented to enable local fisheries enterprises to stand with foreign investors who come into the country with cheap funds.
CONCLUSION
Stakeholders summarily agreed that FISON (as a lobby group) in collaboration with FDF, NIOMR, NIFFR, NAFDAC, NEPC, SON, FAO, UNDP, JICA, Worldfish, SMOA’s, MSADP’s, e.t.c should manage the certification, endorsements and accreditation needs of the fisheries sub-sector activities, especially under its charter registration outlook.

FISON CELEBRATES WORLD FISHERIES DAY

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, 08033201198, 08023325185, 08185477818

FISON CELEBRATES WORLD FISHERIES DAY

The Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) celebrates World Fisheries Day with the pledge to make Fisheries and Aquaculture production sustainable. To celebrate the World Fisheries Day, FISON had a press release at the National Headquarters of the Society today in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

“Ours is a life time commitment” says Dr. Olajide  Ayinla, the National President of the FISON. The commitment by FISON and her entire membership is to ensure that Nigeria embraces Agriculture especially the fisheries subsector as a major road map to boosting her revenue generating base in a declining oil-based economy. FISON has developed radical steps for Nigeria to shift from the mono- approach economic development to multi – approach. This we know is achievable if we look backwards and develop the fisheries sub sector that has potentials to contribute significantly to the National GDP rather than relying on declining oil- based economy.

As the Apex Professional Body responsible for Fisheries development we are delighted that the carefully planned 30^th Annual Conference is scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta State between the 23^rd – 27^th of November, 2015 with the theme “The Fisheries Subsector in a Declining Oil Based Economy: A paradigm Shift for Economic Diversification and Employment Generation. This is happening a few days after the World Fisheries Day which we consider another tremendous opportunity to tell the World about the importance of sustainable fish production especially in Nigeria. We know that Nigerians will pledge their support for Fisheries by attending the Annual conference which is opened to Farmers, Researchers, Academics, Students, Government Agencies, International Donors, the public and friends of Fisheries.

The current leadership of FISON has shown exemplary qualities (in the mould of its founding fathers) by organizing the various stakeholders for the innovation platform to decide the way forward for fisheries development in Nigeria. “We have been overwhelmed by the tremendous support for our mission to become a Sustainable Fish Country by our Distinguished Stakeholders and that is why we congratulate you all as we celebrate the “World Fisheries Day” says the National President.

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)