Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has announced that the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy is poised to create jobs, improve livelihoods for aquaculture farmers, and drive economic growth in Nigeria’s coastal communities.
At the Policy Validation Workshop held Monday in Abuja, Oyetola described the initiative as a “bold and ambitious vision for the future of Nigeria’s marine resources.” The policy includes measures such as enforcing catch limits, promoting seasonal fishing, protecting critical habitats, and curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
According to Oyetola, the policy will “promote sustainable fisheries practices, enhance productivity and profitability within the sector, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of aquaculture farmers and coastal communities.”
“By promoting sustainable fisheries management, boosting aquaculture productivity, and empowering our fisherfolk and aquaculture farmers, we can secure a brighter and more prosperous future for our fisheries and aquaculture industries,” he added.
The minister further emphasized that the policy encourages investments in technology, infrastructure, and capacity building to “position Nigeria as a key player in aquaculture production.” He highlighted the ministry’s commitment to advocating for modern practices, enhancing access to financing and markets, and fostering innovation in aquaculture research and development.
Oyetola also underscored the ministry’s dedication to science-based fisheries management, aiming to sustain fish stocks in Nigerian waters and uphold best practices in aquaculture. He called for active cooperation from stakeholders in government, the private sector, civil society, and local communities.
“Together, we can unlock the vast potential of our aquatic resources and secure a sustainable future for Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture industries,” he stated.
Omoragbon Wellington, Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, acknowledged that the policy document, initially developed in 2022, was refined with support from WorldFish and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). He thanked IFPRI and WorldFish, noting that “their contributions were instrumental in ensuring that the document accurately represents the realities of the subsector and our aspirations for future growth.”
The department of fisheries and aquaculture was recently transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
