ABOUT FISHERIES RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

ACHIEVEMENTS

Ø 1971 sea fisheries decree was informed by scientific data provided by the department.

Ø Minimum codend mesh of 44mm for shrimping & 76mm for fishing were determined

Ø Resources surveys & species identification of territorial sea & EZZ were carried out

Ø Tuna survey for commercial exploitation with potentials of 10-20,000 mt per annum

Ø Re-appraisal of 1972 regulations was undertaken to mid-wife 1992 regulations 

Ø Development of improved fishing gear types including

                      * Monofilament gillnets (Magic nets)        

                      * Shark drift nets        

                      * Coastal beach seine nets.  

      Ø Establishment of small scale fishing gear catalogue in
              collaboration   with FAO.

        Ø  Improvement of inshore Trawl nets & Accessories including
             Otter boards.

Ø Development of multi-purpose shallow draft mechanized  fishing vessels to navigate shallow sand bars without capsizing or running aground

           Good for the formation of fishers cooperatives in rural
           settlements (without jetties) & facilitate access to resources
            not available to big trawlers & small canoes.

 *** A major breakthrough is production of Turtle Excluder Devices (TED).  The Sea Fisheries regulation No. 1 of 2006 on the use of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) & other by-catch reduction devices (BRDs) in shrimp trawl   nets became effective on 22^nd August 2006.

 Nigeria was re-certified in January 2007 to export all categories & species of shrimps to USA markets where they become more valueable & attract a lot  more foreign currency.  Export trades in shrimps earn about US$60million  annually.  BRD mitigates problem of high mortality of juvenile & immature fish species    of commercial value in shrimp trawling.
 

The department is made up of four sections namely:

• Fishing Technology
   
• Marine Biology
   
• Economics/Statistics
   
• Extension, Research and Liaison Services (ERLS).        Our Profile

1. The fishing technology section is mandated to develop improved fishing gears and crafts to enhance their production efficiency and effectiveness and fabricate ecosystem friendly fishing gear types and fisheries implements.
    
2. Marine Biology section is mandated to carry out research into the abundance, distribution, and other characteristics of species of fish and other marine forms of life and management measures for their rational exploitation and conservation
    
3. Statistics and Economics section is mandated to collect fish production and socio-economic data from the industrial, artisanal and aquaculture sectors.
    

4. Extension, Research and Liaison Services section is mandated to disseminate validated research results to identified end-users of all the research findings

             

• Resources survey and stock  assessment 
  
        - Biomass estimate
        - Determination of maximum sustainable yield
        - Co-management of exploited stock.
   
• Biology of Living Resources :
  
        -  Fin Fish;   -  Shell Fish  including ornamental fish species Catch survey:
  
        -  Industrial and small scale artisan fisheries

•  Ecology:
  
        -  Coastal/Marine; -  Estuaries/Brackish water & Mangroves

• Marine Biodiversity:
  
       -  Phytoplankton; - Zooplankton;  -  Benthos, -  Fish and shell    fish; 
       -  Birds,  -  Mammals and    -  Sea Turtles

•   Fishing Gear Production and Fabrication
  
      -   Small scale & industrial;   -   Gear accessories
      -    Excluder/Reduction Devices (TED & BRDs)
      -    Fishing methods & Enhancement Techniques
      -    Fish behaviour e.g. feeding habits and application of baits
      -    Fish location and detection
      -    Underwater photography & echo sounder & sonar
      -    Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD) and Artificial Reefs (ARs)
      -    Improvement on Acadja  brush parks.
   

•  Quality Control & identification of Fishing net material & accessories
  
      -   Physical, chemical/ engineering tests
      -   Preservation and maintenance procedures of synthetic
          netting materials
      -   Flume tank operation & maintenance and model nets trials.
     

• Fishing Craft/canoe/boat and ancillaries
  
      -   Including small scale wooden canoes, Fiber glass  
          Reinforced Plastic boat (FRP)
      -   Semi Industrial and Industrial vessels (trawlers)

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