3 weeks ago
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The Fisheries Society of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to establish the Fisheries Institute of Nigeria to strengthen the country’s fisheries resources and blue economy.
The President of FISON, Dr Ebinimi Ansa, said this in Abuja while delivering her address at the 39th Annual National Conference and Meeting/20th Fellowship Investiture Ceremony of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria.
“A key priority of FISON is the urgent need for the formal establishment of the Fisheries Institute of Nigeria. As we all know, professionalizing the fisheries and aquaculture sectors will not only enhance capacity but will ensure that we operate within globally accepted standards.
“Therefore, I use this platform to call on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to sponsor the FIN Bill as an Executive Bill to be presented to the National Assembly,” Ansa in a statement from the society.
She said establishing the institute would provide a structured framework for capacity building, certification, and professional development.
“It will promote knowledge transfer and the adoption of best practices in fisheries management, aquaculture operations, and marine resource sustainability, as well as ensure a cohesive national strategy that aligns with international fisheries and aquaculture regulations, making Nigeria competitive both regionally and internationally,” she stated.
Also in the statement, President Bola Tinubu received the fellowship award from the society for creating a ministry for the marine and blue economy, adding that his administration took the step to reposition the country as a major player in the world blue economy.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, said, the theme of the conference, ‘Unlocking the Investment Potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy, Advancing the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sectors for Sustainable Development’, was apt and timely.
The minister said, “The transfer of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy marks a new era for fisheries and aquaculture subsectors to help the country achieve self-sufficiency in fish and position the country as a major exporter of fish and fisheries products in the world.”
In her remarks, the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, said, “Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable fisheries aligns deeply with the national objectives, especially in the face of the current environmental and economic challenges.
“By enhancing the productivity of our fisheries, promoting research, and building capacity, you are laying the groundwork for a future that balances the needs of today to the resources for generations to come.”
