The Nigerian Trawlers Owners Association has called for urgent investment in modern fishing vessels, affordable financing, fish terminals, cold-chain facilities and maritime security to revive Nigeria’s industrial fishing sector and reduce dependence on imported fish.
The association made the call at the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria’s National Conference on Sustainable Fishing in Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “Revitalising Nigeria’s Industrial Fishing Sector for Food Security and Economic Growth,” NITOA President Benedette Okonkwo, represented by Anthony Agwaazor, said a stronger industrial fishing sector was essential to food security, job creation, economic diversification and the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy.
She identified high fuel and operating costs, ageing vessels, limited access to finance, inadequate fishing and cold-chain infrastructure, regulatory challenges, maritime insecurity, poor fisheries data, climate pressures and limited processing capacity as major obstacles.
Okonkwo said modernising Nigeria’s fishing fleet should be the starting point for reviving the industry.
She called on the government and private investors to support the rehabilitation and replacement of obsolete vessels with safer, more efficient equipment.
However, she stressed that fleet expansion must be based on scientific assessments of fish stocks to prevent overfishing and protect the long-term sustainability of the industry.
The association also urged financial institutions to provide affordable long-term loans, fisheries insurance and investment schemes to help operators acquire vessels, develop processing plants and meet working-capital needs.
It said access to finance should be linked to compliance with fisheries regulations and responsible fishing practices.
NITOA further called for investment in modern fishing ports, landing sites, ice plants, cold-storage facilities, refrigerated transport, processing centres and fish markets to reduce post-harvest losses and improve product quality.
The association placed particular emphasis on dedicated fish terminals, which would enable fishing vessels to discharge their catches safely for sorting, processing, storage, marketing and distribution.
Such facilities, it said, would allow fish to be cleaned, gutted, graded, filleted, frozen, smoked or packaged, while reducing delays and damage.
The association also advocated greater investment in value addition, including frozen, smoked, canned and filleted fish products.
According to NITOA, expanding processing activities would create employment and stimulate related industries across the fisheries value chain.
On maritime security, the association called for closer cooperation among fisheries authorities, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigerian Ports Authority and other relevant agencies.
The partnership would help protect fishing vessels, coastal communities and legitimate economic activities in Nigeria’s territorial waters.
Okonkwo said fisheries policies must be based on reliable data, regular stock assessments and marine research.
Such information would help determine sustainable catch limits, protect breeding grounds and establish appropriate fishing seasons and conservation measures.
She called for the integration of industrial fishing into Nigeria’s wider blue-economy strategy through public-private partnerships capable of mobilising capital and expertise for fleet modernisation, infrastructure, processing, logistics and market development.
NITOA also highlighted the need to develop skills in marine engineering, fisheries science, vessel management, fish processing and digital fisheries monitoring.
The association supported the use of Turtle Excluder Devices in fishing operations, saying their proper installation and inspection would allow sea turtles and other non-target species to escape fishing nets.
Effective inspection of the devices, it added, would strengthen regulatory compliance, protect marine ecosystems and preserve Nigeria’s fishery resources.
Okonkwo said reviving industrial fishing should not be reduced to increasing the number of vessels.
She explained that sustainable growth required a coordinated combination of modern equipment, affordable finance, infrastructure, research, digital monitoring, maritime security, skilled personnel and value addition.
A coordinated revival, she said, would increase domestic fish production, improve food security, create jobs in coastal communities, reduce imports, generate government revenue and strengthen Nigeria’s contribution to the blue economy.