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Nutrition Security: Regulator, Agriculture Ministry partner to curb illegal fishing

Fish

*The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency says the Deep Blue project is focused on preventing marine pollution, threatening aquatic life and jobs of trawler operators on commercial fishing

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In a move to prevent unlawful commercial activities, including unregulated fishing, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) seeks to partner with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to curb Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in the country’s territorial waters.

ConsumerConnect gathered Dr. Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, Director-General of NIMASA, who described IUU as a threat to the source of livelihood of legitimate fishing, also decried exposure of the marine environment to avoidable pollution and exploitation through unlawful activities.

Dr. Jamoh said 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 the Nigerian waters.

The NIMASA Director-General noted that the agency is also focused on preventing marine pollution, which threatens aquatic life and the jobs of trawler operators who have the requisite permits to embark on commercial fishing, The Guardian report said.

Jamoh also 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.

Dr. Mahmood Abubakar, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

said under the Deep Blue project, the country’s waters are to be protected from degradation due to pollution, exploitation and illegal fishing.

While the Ministry is aware of some of the issues regarding illegal fishing, the Ministry and Department officials have put strategies in place to address the situation, report stated.

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