By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe 

The Imo State Chapter of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria, FISON, on Thursday, organized the 2023 World Fisheries Day with a call for more investments into the production of fish and efficient management of fisheries, hence to be able to achieve the nation's health, economic and food security goals. The event which took place at the Imo International Exhibition Centre, Owerri, also solicited government's restocking of various water bodies in the state.

Addressing the participants, the chairman of FISON in Imo State, Rev Dr. Godwin Adaka, said that the event was necessary to celebrate the importance of fish in human nutritional needs, as well as other areas that cover job creation and revenue generation. He stressed the need for improved investments by stakeholders into this critical sector to enhance the social, economic and nutritional benefits of fish which he described as a cheap and vital animal protein to the society. 

Rev Dr. Adaka, who is also the Head of Department, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, said: "Today, we are celebrating the importance of fish as the best and cheapest animal protein in meals, and the need for people to go into fish farming towards sustaining fisheries as natural resources. This event is marked globally on every 21st of November, and Imo State is celebrating it today because of circumstances. This will offer us more opportunity on how to achieve growth and sustainability in fisheries management and aquatic resources."

The FISON chairman, stated that the association was doing its best to encourage fish farming and  awareness creation, but decried low commitment from the government. He averred that in the face of present economic challenges, potentials in fishery activities should attract the attention of the government to close the gaps. Rev
 Dr. Adaka, thanked the participants for gracing the event, urging them to utilize the benefits of the occasion.

Speaking at the event, the Imo State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Honourable Tony Mgbeahuruike, who described fish as an important aspect of livestock, added that the importance of the event can never be overstated as it would rekindle efforts towards encouraging increased participations in fisheries, calling this vital to the human and economic wellbeing. He made case for collaborative efforts among the stakeholders in maximizing the benefits, and encouraged the association to do more to promote fishery value chain.

"Fishery is a very important aspect of livestock. As a ministry, we are happy to be part of the planning of this event. This special occasion will help us to address some of the challenges facing the industry and the association in Imo State. We must note the important roles we have to play in ensuring food security in the country. Fish is a very important source of protein to human, hence its production should be accorded priority," Honourable Mgbeahuruike, declared.

Professor Afamdi Anene, of the Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Abia State University, while presenting the event's lecture titled: "Climate Change and Blue Economy" disclosed that climate change had become a topical global issue with respect to environmental sustainability. He noted that the lecture was necessary to highlight the critical importance of healthy aquatic ecosystems to ensure sustainable stocks of fisheries, adding that fish farmers need to adopt good measures to minimize the adverse effects of climate change.

He decried some practices which contribute to global warming with its attendant change in the climate conditions to include: carbon emissions, deforestation and improper wastes disposal. He urged the participants to always demonstrate environmental stewardship as well as to apply discretion in managing thier fisheries. "Aquaculture resources are threatened by changes in physio-chemical properties of water (temperatures, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients inputs, sea level and evaporation in the face of declining rainfall) with all these factors affecting relative abundance and size at maturity of fish," he said.

Professor Anene, also informed his audience that blue economy as a concept, encourages better management of sea resources, aquatic ecosystems and related activities. He explained that this which entails having effective policies in place, aimed at  improving economic growth and healthy aquatic ecosystems. Describing blue economy as one of the country's anchor sub-sectors because of its contributions to the economy, the lecturer posited that rivers, ponds and lakes form part of the blue economy, as he urged stakeholders in the sector to leverage the opportunities provided by it.

He called on government to implement policies that would ensure infrastructural development, improved maritime security, investment in tourism and environmentally friendly fishing technologies in order to support fish value chain. He added: " Fisheries and aquaculture are intrinsically linked to environmental quality. They derive their inputs from the environment and their outputs are also domiciled in the environment. The impact of climate change can be minimal if practitioners show high level of environmental stewardship. Also, the idea of blue economy can only be maximally utilized if we fundamentally incline to such technologies," Professor Anene said.

Meanwhile, stakeholders at the event called on government to ensure the restocking of water bodies in the state towards ensuring the sustenance of fisheries. Others in attendance included: Mr. Nwike Obi Emanuel of Fisheries Department, Imo Livestock Ministry; Dr. Chukwuma Ogueri of FUTO and Mrs. Iwuji Ngozi, Fisheries Officer, Ehime Mbano LGA among others.