Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing has been identified as one of the major contributors to the decline in Nigeria’s fish stock. While the government has implemented several measures to combat this issue, experts believe more proactive measures are needed to tackle the problem. In this article, we explore the current state of IUU fishing in Nigeria and the recommendations put forward by experts to tackle this menace.
According to experts in the maritime sector, Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing is a major threat to ocean ecosystems worldwide, undermining efforts to sustainably manage global fisheries and effectively conserve ocean biodiversity. The emerging blue economy of Nigeria is also at risk from these activities. The need for more proactive measures to combat negative effects on the emerging blue economy was highlighted by experts at a Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting on Fishing and Fisheries, organized by Zoe Maritime Resources Limited in Lagos.
Mrs Ben Okonkwo, President of the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA), noted that IUU fishing poses a direct threat to food security and socioeconomic stability in Nigeria. She added that “countries that depend on fisheries for food security and export suffer from the depletion of marine resources. IUU reduces the chances of providing adequate measures for the sustenance of the ecosystem and the biodiversity of the marine environment.”
Mrs Nneka Obiayor, Secretary General of Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WIMoWCA), stated that only 160 fishing trawlers are registered and flagged in Nigeria. She revealed that Nigeria still needs more stringent monitoring and improvement in its IUU Fishing Index position. According to her, “We have just 160 fishing trawlers flagged in Nigeria, this is a far cry from what we used to have several years ago. However, the collaboration that we have with the Federal Department of Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture, before you bring a fishing trawler for registration, you must obtain necessary documents from the ministry.”
As a tool designed to provide a better understanding of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing worldwide, the IUU Fishing Index is a significant economic and social disruptor detrimental to the legal fishery trade and has been linked to organized crime. Dr. Olalekan Oguntade, Vice President of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria, said there was a dire need for sufficient up-to-date data on IUU fishing to be able to analyze the extent of the menace and the best approach to address it.
The Chairman, Zoe Maritime Resources Limited, Mrs. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore stressed that Nigeria’s vast coastline and her Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has immeasurable fish resources which would transform her economy if properly harnessed. She added, “The records show that there has been a steady decline in local catch and production of fish in Nigeria. In the 1970’s domestic production of fish was said to range from 600,000 to 700,000 tons. By 1983 this dropped to $38.00 tons, and in 2000, local catch was 441,337, and today the figure is no better. Responsibility for this decline has been laid at the feet of IUU fishing. This involves trawlers coming from other jurisdictions to sweep the Nigerian coast not only of sizeable fish supplies but also her juveniles.”
Mr. Williams Akanbi, Chief Research Officer in the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), stressed the need for a more accurate interpretation of IUU fishing statistics released by several international organizations. He revealed that there were no reports from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to substantiate the alleged high-degree of IUU fishing in Nigeria.
The emerging blue economy is essential for Nigeria’s growth and development, and measures need to be taken to protect ocean biodiversity and the local industry. A stronger collaboration between experts in the maritime sector, government agencies, and industry players are needed to tackle the issue of IUU fishing effectively. Such collaboration will enable the development of more stringent monitoring systems, leading to the improvement of the IUU Fishing Index position, and ensuring the sustainability of the marine environment.
