Brief focus on activities and achievement of Federal Department of Fisheries Under Agric Minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh - 2015-2017 Introduction.

Chief Audu Ogbeh

The department of fisheries, Federal ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) under the leadership of the Minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh, and Senator Heinehen Lokpobiri (Minister of state) has witnessed a lot of proactive activities in the last two years (2015-2017) with its positive impact very evident in many ways in the activities and achievement recorded in the fisheries production through the federal Department of Fisheries.

There has been an increased production of fish from 800 metric to 1.1 million metric tons in year 2015, thereby reducing the demand deficit of 2.1 million metric tons gap to a million, as this upscale production was a result of acceleration policy of backward integration of local breeding to checkmating import bill which is the hall mark of President Mohammudu Buhari government who is very particular about economic diversification from oil and gas to wealth creation through agriculture and other real sector.

Mandate of the Department.

The Federal Department of Fisheries is charged with the sustainable development of Nigerian fisheries for self-sufficiency in fish production, utilization and resource conservation through diverse policy strategies. The Department formulates policy strategies aimed at providing the enabling environment for the private sector to participate in fish production initiatives and drive the industry.  Some aspects of fisheries development are on the concurrent legislative list while the management of marine fisheries is on the exclusive legislative list. The Department therefore has exclusive responsibility for the control of marine fisheries exploitation, conservation and resource protection in line with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries thereby ensuring the sustainability of the fisheries resources. The Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has the following mandates:

Director Fisheries. Alhaji. Mua'za Mohammed

Development of Nigeria’s fisheries resource potentials for self-sufficiency in fish production;

*  Development of modern and effective fish processing and preservation technologies;

*  Fisheries resource conservation and management.

*  Fish Quality Assurance to meet export standards;

*  Issuance of Health Certificate for the export of fish and fishery products, especially to the European Union and the United States of America;

*  Licensing of Nigerian-flagged Fishing and Shrimping Vessels;

*  Capacity building for the Fisheries subsector;

*  Collection, Collation and Analysis of national fisheries data;

*   Collaboration and partnerships for fisheries development;

*   Update and enforcement of Fisheries laws and regulations;

*   Issuance of Catch Certificates to trawler operators;

*   Fisheries Resource Monitoring, Control and Surveillance;

*   Certification of Fish Production and Fish Feed production facilities nationwide;

*   Implementation of internationally accepted best fishing practices.

ACHIEVEMENTS FROM 2015 TO 2017

    Diversification of Fish Species for Improved Aquaculture Production 

Nigerian has high species diversification which are highly valued in the international market and can generate millions in foreign exchange. Therefore the promotion of the diversification of other culturable fish species and shell fish like shrimp will not only boost domestic production but increase revenue profile of the country among others. In recognition of the immense economic benefits of the programme to the nation, the Federal Department of Fisheries is promoting the diversification of the fish cultured species. This was achieved through capacity building programmes on carp and tilapia production organized for fish farmers in the South West and North Central regions of the Country.

    Establishment of Fish Farm Clusters and Fish Feed Mills in States

The aim of the fish farm cluster established is to have a central place where the fish farmers can raise their fish together. The advantage of this is that farmers would have the opportunity of sharing the same infrastructure and resources, have access to technical knowledge and experience of other farmers and thereby reduce the cost of production. This would also increase farmers’ access to finance and government supports. In 2016, fish farm clusters, equipped with functional fish feed mills were established in Kano and River States

  Export Promotion for Aquaculture Products through Certification and Standardization of fish and fish products

Aquaculture is probably the fastest growing food-producing sector globally and the growth trend of the sector in Nigeria is significant. As a result there have been increasing interest in the export of Nigeria aquaculture products to European countries and there are ongoing huge investments in the sector. However, in order to access most of these foreign markets, it is expected that an effective standardization, certification and traceability system are in place in line with global best practices. The Federal Department of Fisheries, as the regulatory arm of the government has therefore embarked on a nationwide standardization and certification of fish farms, aquaculture production and processing facilities in compliance with HACCP and EU Directives, the US Tracy Law to facilitate export of Nigeria’s fish and fish product to the foreign market.

  Young Fish Farmers Development Programme

It is a Catch them Young programme of the Department whereby cottage fish farms are established in Federal Government Secondary Schools and other selected schools in the States. The students are being trained to manage the farm, and continuous mentoring is being provided by the federal fisheries officers in the State. The initiative was also used to start aquaculture clubs in the secondary schools. The pilot phase of the project covered seven (7) states of the Federation which include Federal Government Colleges (FGC) in Borno, Ekiti, Imo, Katsina, Nasarawa, Rivers States and FCT.

 Establishment of standard fish processing plants and cold-rooms to reduce post-harvest losses

Fish being a highly perishable commodity starts deteriorating in quality and look from the point of harvest if not adequately preserved or processed. The Department established standard processing and storage facilities to promote preservation, boost shelf life, reduce post-harvest loss and promote value addition for fish in the country. Benefiting States include Adamawa, Bayelsa, Delta, Kano, Lagos, Niger and Ogun States.

  Establishment of National Aquaculture Certification Centre (A Model Laboratory) in Abuja

In order to promote the standard of fish and fish products for both local consumption and export market, the National Aquaculture Certification Centre was established in Abuja. This is a semblance of the National Fisheries Laboratory in Lagos and would serve for the analysis of samples obtained in the Northern region and nearby States. This will facilitate the effort of the Department on the certification and standardization of fish and fish products in the Northern Region of the country and promote export of fish and fish products from the region to international market.

 Rehabilitation of existing government fisheries infrastructures and farms

Most of the government fish farms located across the states were built originally to international standards with features needed to run effectively. However, over the years due to inadequate maintenance some of these infrastructures are now in dilapidated states. The remaining ones which are in manageable states are either underutilized or not being utilized at all.  The Department has embarked on rehabilitation of these farms in order to put them to optimal use. In 2016, Government fish farms at Panyam, Plateau State and Tiga in Kano State were rehabilitated. Likewise under this rehabilitation, the Lagos liaison office of the Department and the Department model fish processing plant were rehabilitated.

Enhancement of Lakes and Reservoirs across the Country to boost fish production

Catches from artisanal fisheries production has declined significantly due to stock depletion resulting largely from over fishing. This has caused a major dislocation not only on the daily income of fisher folk but also on their general livelihoods and standard of living. In order to boost the fisheries of these water bodies, a restocking programme and fisheries management regime was carried out in Akata Lake, Benue State; Aloibiri lake, Bayelsa State; Gerio lake, Adamawa State; Abadaba lake, Imo State; Ikere George Reservoir, Osun State and Shatawanka lake, Zamfara State.

 Cage culture fish production

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for the release of some dams in the country for increase in local fish production. Consequently, large scale Cage culture developments, Pen culture, diversion of water to fish ponds, and integrated fish farming are amongst the fisheries activities that have begun on these water bodies. In view of the success of the programme, the Department has organized sensitization programmes for other stakeholders on cage culture development.

 Registration of Artisanal Fishing Craft and Gear

In order to ensure that the artisanal fisheries sub-sector (which has over the years contributed 80% - 85% of the total fish production in the country), is well organized, the Ministry commenced the sensitization of stakeholders towards the registration of fishing craft and boats. The national registration exercise is intended primarily to give an estimate of the fishing efforts in our waters, effective management and security of the fishing environment. The enumeration exercise will also ensure maximum utilization of the resources of that sector.  

 Fish Farm Estate Development Programme

Since its inception in 2009, more than 65 fish farmers have benefitted from the Fish Farm Estate Development Programme of the government through which each beneficiary was given a grant of 15 million naira. In order to assess the success of the programme so far, the Department has engaged on a monitoring and assessment exercise to all the farms nationwide.  This is with a view to upgrading the scheme and broadening its scope.

 Supports to the North East States for Special Intervention     

The Federal Government under the 2015 appropriation provided support for 8 identified large scale fish farmers in the North eastern region of the country to increase fish production in the region and promote availability of good quality nutrition that fish offers to the populace. The input support provided includes provision of fish juveniles and fish feeds which covers 85% of the cost of production.

  Fish Preservation and Processing

One of the major challenges facing the inland fishing and aquaculture sectors in the country is how to preserve their fish. Fish being a highly perishable commodity starts deteriorating in quality and look from the point of harvest if not adequately preserved or processed. In order to promote preservation, boost shelf life, reduce post-harvest loss and promote value addition for fish in the country, the Federal Government under the 2015 appropriation distributed over 200 smoking kilns to selected fish markets and fish farmers nationwide. 

Upgrade of Fisheries Technology Development Centre

Federal Boatyard and Fibreglass Fabrication Centre, Igbokoda, Ondo State and the Lokoja, Boatyard are two major Fisheries Technology Development Centres meant to service the artisanal and aquaculture industry in the region through the production of fibre glass tanks, boat construction and maintenance, and to also serve as a training centre. Under the current administration, the centres have been upgraded and the non-functional sections have been reactivated for the centres to function to its full capacity.