SMALL-SCALE FISHERS SEEK PROTECTION, STRONGER VOICE AS AWFISHNET NIGERIA, BLUE VENTURES CONVENE STAKEHOLDERS IN LAGOS
Fisheries stakeholders in Nigeria are calling for stronger protection for small-scale fishers and a greater role for fishing communities in managing fisheries.
The calls follow a two-day stakeholder meeting organised by the Nigerian chapter of the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network, AWFISHNET, in collaboration with Blue Ventures.
The meeting, held in Lagos on Wednesday and Thursday, established a five-member committee representing inland and coastal fishing communities. The committee will serve as the pilot national platform for small-scale fishers, processors and traders.
Participants also want stronger enforcement against illegal trawling within the five-nautical-mile Inshore Exclusive Zone.
In the northeast, Raymond Nyako says insurgency disrupted fishing around Baga. He says fishers have now returned, and fishing is picking up again.
Participants also called for stronger policing and closer cooperation between government and fishing communities.
Fisherman Victor Okpei says industrial vessels are damaging fishing gear and hurting families’ livelihoods.
The meeting also called for better records of fishing losses and a clear plan to put its recommendations into action, with deadlines and ways to measure progress.
