By Opeyemi Muhammad
Stakeholders in the fisheries and maritime businesses have called for the review of relevant laws to place fisheries under the Ministry of Blue Economy.
They made the call during the first Annual Conference of the Alumni Association of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT) on Saturday in Lagos.
TheNewsZenith reports that the conference theme is “Unlocking the Potential of Blue Economy”.
The CEO of Ocean Deep Maritime Services Ltd., Mrs Rollens Macfoy, observed that placing fisheries institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture limits the development of fisheries.
Macfoy presented a paper “Aligning Fisheries and Marine Technology with Nigeria’s Blue Economy Agenda: Sustainability Policy Framework and The Importance of the Alumni of the FCFMT”.
She stressed the need for grants, flexible loans and tax holidays among other incentives to position fishing for an economic boom.
According to her, youth employment and gross domestic product (GDP) are gains the nation would benefit from, by giving adequate attention to the sector.
“The School of Fisheries should be under the Blue Economy, not Agriculture.
“We need to correct this and position the institution and the industry right.
“Fisheries, fishing practice, seabed management, regulation, industrial fishing and processing and value addition will provide job opportunities.
“It will also stimulate the nation’s economic growth,” she said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, said Ministry of Blue Economy is committed to ensuring economic usage of ocean resources.
TheNewsZenith reports that Mr Yusuf Barde, the Deputy Director, Marine and Labour Services, NIMASA, represented Mobereola at the conference.
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NIMASA boss said the blue economy ministry aims at improving people’s livelihood while protecting marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
He acknowledged that the ocean resources were limited and threatened by unsustainable activities.
“Together, we can unlock the full potential of our marine resources for a prosperous future,” he said.
Also speaking, another staekholder and former Director-General of NIMASA, Mr Temisan Omatseye corroborated earlier speakers.
Omatseye said the institution and other aspects of fishing should come under the Blue Economy Ministry.
He expressed optimism that the Federal Government would act on that soon.
“The government need to address the issue of security as sea robbers usually attack ship captains. When they attack, they rob them of money and fish,” he said.
Also speaking, Adewole Aderonke, the Deputy Provost, FCFMT, said that the institution needed better collaboration with industry players.
“This is to better tailor its activities towards solving industry needs.
“The college is driven by research and we are doing our research based on the needs of the industry.
“However, I believe that we would serve Nigeria better, under the Marine and Blue Economy.
“It will enable us network better with key stakeholders and address the issue of funding,” Aderonke said.
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