Nigeria commissions ultra-modern fish hatchery in Calabar, partners key stakeholders to bridge gap of fish insufficiency

NIGERIA – The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Nigeria has commissioned an ultra-modern fish hatchery in Calabar, Cross River State, which will enhance Nigeria’s aquaculture sector and generate revenue for farmers.                                    

The facility, capable of producing 20 million fingerlings and 12 million juveniles annually, will also serve as a centre for training and research, aligning with national food security objectives.

“This massive hatchery project not only contributes to food security but also creates employment and income opportunities for youth and women in aquaculture,” the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. AbubaKyari said.

He emphasised the government’s commitment to agro industrialisation, adding that the facility will encourage collaboration between the government and private sector to drive development in the aquaculture sub-sector.

Similarly, the Nigerian government has announced its collaboration with major international organizations to address fish insufficiency, improve diet, increase revenue, and enhance other agricultural value chains.

The goal of the collaboration is to produce 1.3 metric tonnes of fish to meet local consumption needs in Nigeria.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, noted that that in recent years, the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector has encountered numerous challenges, such as illegal fishing, overfishing, environmental degradation, and inadequate infrastructure and technological advancements.

To effectively tackle these issues and fully harness the potential of Nigeria’s aquatic resources, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in collaboration with WorldFish and IFPRI, has developed a comprehensive National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy.

“Our nation, blessed with a coastline of 853 km and 10,000 km of inland waterways, is also rich in natural resources. The creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness the resources of the ocean sustainably…for sustainable socio-economic development and national prosperity,” he said.

According to people close to the government, the first stakeholder consultation for drafting the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy took place on August 22–23, 2023, which provided valuable input from stakeholders regarding policy directions and strategies.

They explained that this policy is designed to promote sustainable fisheries management, enhance productivity and profitability within the sector, and improve the livelihoods of fisherfolk and aquaculture farmers.

The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy said it remains steadfast in its commitment to implementing science-based fisheries management measures that ensure the long-term health and productivity of the fish stocks in Nigerian waters, as well as ensuring best practices in aquaculture operations.

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