NIMASA Seeks End to Illegal Fishing Activities

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has called for an end to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities in Nigerian waters.
Specifically, the Director-General of the agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh, described the illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities as a threat to the source of livelihood of legitimate fishermen.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward, published on the agency’s website and obtained by AgroNigeria.
According to the statement, the DG also decried the exposure of the marine environment to avoidable pollution through unlawful activities.
Jamoh added that aside from fighting piracy, sea robbery, oil theft and other maritime vices, the Deep Blue Project is aimed at preventing unlawful commercial activities like unregulated fishing in our waters.
According to him, the agency is also focused on preventing marine pollution, which threatens aquatic lives and the jobs of trawler operators who have the requisite permits to embark on commercial fishing.
The DG urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to key into the Deep Blue Project considering the array of benefits it holds for the sector.
Remarking, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mahmood Abubakar, said under the Deep Blue project, the country’s waters are to be protected from degradation due to pollution, exploitation and illegal fishing.
Also, he said while the ministry was aware of some of the issues regarding illegal fishing, the ministry and department officials have put strategies in place to address the situation.

AGRO NEWS