Ondo Celebrates World Fisheries Day
…as Aiyedatiwa Promises Support for Sustainability
Ondo State has joined the global community in celebrating World Fisheries Day, highlighting the importance of sustainable fishing and the vital role fisheries play in food security, economic growth, and livelihoods.
The event, which was held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on Tuesday, 26th November 2024, brought together key stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges in the sector.
Representing Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, High Chief Olayato Aribo, emphasized the significance of the state’s 75-kilometer coastline, the longest in Nigeria, and its rich aquatic resources.
He lauded the dedication of fishermen and women, whose work not only contributes to food security but also preserves cultural traditions.
Aiyedatiwa also acknowledged pressing challenges, including overfishing, pollution, and the impacts of climate change, which threaten the sustainability of the fisheries sector.
The governor outlined the government’s commitment to addressing these issues through initiatives such as enforcing regulations against overfishing, promoting responsible fishing techniques, and establishing marine protected areas to allow ecosystems to recover.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mrs. Foluke Daramola, highlighted the sector’s significant contributions to food security and employment.
She acknowledged the efforts of fishing communities and stakeholders, such as the Fisheries Society of Nigeria and the Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN), whose collaboration ensured the success of the celebration.
The Chairman of the Association of Fish Farmers and Aquaculturists of Nigeria (AFFAN), Ondo State Chapter, Venerable Joseph Ilesanmi Adefila, commended the state government’s support by providing 600 bags of maize, which were converted into fish feed to reduce production costs.
The Vice Chairman of the Association of Fish Farmers and Aquaculturists of Nigeria (AFFAN), Mr. Oluwafemi Aluko, noted that the celebration marked a foundational step toward establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy at the state level.
Aluko highlighted the state’s vast untapped marine resources and their potential to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on fish imports.
The Chairman of the Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN), Ondo Chapter, Dr. Rotimi Olokuntoye, pointed out that rising fish prices are driven by high input costs, particularly for feed.
Olokuntoye called for increased government support, including credit facilities for fish farmers and bulk purchases of fish to stabilize prices.
The Vice Chairman of CAFAN, Engr. Theophilus Oluwatayo, encouraged farmers to remain in the industry, citing government efforts to assist with subsidies and inputs.
