80 per cent of domestic fish production generated by small-scale artisans ― FG

The Federal Government has revealed that over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s total domestic fish production is generated by artisanal small-scale fishers.

Speaking at the virtual meeting of Trade Ministers in African, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) at the weekend, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adebayo, said the fish sector support livelihoods of over 24 million Nigerians.

Adebayo stated that “73 per cent of those involved in fisheries in Nigeria are women.

“The country has a continental coastline of 853km and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) area of 179,839 square kilometres.

“Our coastal waters and EEZ contain diverse species of fish, which contribute to the food and livelihood security of our people.

“We believe sustainable development of our fisheries sector is crucial for our socio-economic development given its potential contribution to GDP growth, poverty alleviation, food and nutrition security improvement, and job creation. However, illegal fishing, overfishing and other unsustainable fishing and fishing-related activities incentivised by heavy subsidization pose a major threat to the sustainable development of our fisheries sector,” Adebayo said.

The Minister noted that “the sustainable development of our Fisheries Sector is central to Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification, and sustained growth.

“Fish is an important dietary element and a major source of animal protein for many Nigerians.

“The contribution of the fisheries sector to Nigeria’s GDP was 0.84 per cent and 1.09 per cent in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Nigeria which produces less than a million metric tonne of fish annually is a net importer of fish. Marine catches contribute about 38 per cent of our annual output. The rest is made up of inland waters catches and aquaculture,” he revealed.

He further explained that “Articles 4.3 and 5.1.1 flexibilities for stock management as well as its notification requirements under Art 8.1(b) is effectively a blank cheque for heavy subsidizers to continue the current unsustainable practices.

“Most developing countries would not only be denied these flexibilities due to lack of technical capacity to undertake stock management but also, they would not be able to challenge heavy subsidizers conservation measures for the same reason”.

Adebayo complained about Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, “our preference has always been for Coastal Members to make an affirmative determination of IUU infraction.

“However, we are flexible regarding the possibility of a Coastal Member, or a Flag State Member or a relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organization or Arrangement (RFMO/A) making such affirmative determination because cooperation amongst these entities is important.

“This notwithstanding, Nigeria is of the view that to forestall uncertainties that may arise in situations where two separate and conflicting determinations are made by the Coastal Member and Flag State Member on an alleged infraction, there is need for a clarifying footnote in the chapeau of Article 3.2 indicating that the primacy of any determination made with respect to IUU lies in the Coastal Member’s determination.

“This is because, under such a situation, it is unlikely that the Flag State Member would make an objective determination regarding infractions by its fleets” he stated.

They insisted that “there is need for clarification of what we mean by “due process” under Article 3.3(b). In Nigeria’s view, due process should be deemed to have been complied with when determination under Article 3.2(a) is undertaken in accordance with Members domestic law and relevant International Law that such Member is a party.”

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