FG urged to implement fisheries guidelines

Stakeholders have advocated for the immediate implementation of the Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) guidelines.

The position was taken at the National Stakeholders’ and Advocacy Capacity Building Workshop on Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) Guidelines organised by the Faculty of Science, Lagos State University (LASU), the Food and Agricultural Organisation and International Collective in Support of Fish workers in Lagos.

They said Nigeria stands to benefit greatly from the implementation of the guidelines, which had been adopted as far back as 2014.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said implementing the SSF was critical to the achievement of the country’s SDGs.

She assured that the agency will support relevant efforts to achieve the goals.

Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said the sub-sector directly provides livelihood to about two million people and is a secondary source of employment for 20m people.

She also noted that apart from fish production, the small-scale fisheries are firmly rooted in local communities which could sustain the rich tradition and value system.

The Dean, Faculty of Science LASU, Prof. Shehu Akintola, said the SSF-Guidelines support the enhancement of small-scale fisheries and contribute to global and national efforts towards the eradication of hunger and poverty.