UNCTAD warns of overfishing crisis as Nigeria considers reforms

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has warned about the devastating impact of overfishing and climate change on global marine resources, calling countries for urgent action, including a legally binding treaty.

According to the latest UNCTAD report, 37.7 per cent of global fish stocks are now overfished, a sharp increase from 10 per cent in 1974. The situation is further exacerbated by rising sea temperatures, which hit a record 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels in 2024, leading to disruptions in marine ecosystems and shifting fish populations.

For Nigeria, these global trends pose a significant economic and food security challenge, as the country’s fisheries industry loses an estimated $70 million yearly to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, according to the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria Limited (FCFNL) earlier this year.

Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture industry plays a crucial role in food security, employment, and economic growth but faces challenges such as IUU fishing, outdated regulations and infrastructure deficits.

Amid the global crisis, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to sustainable fisheries management, outlined several key initiatives aimed at balancing fish production growth with conservation efforts.

“Fisheries and aquaculture are central to our vision for growing Nigeria’s blue economy sector. The Ministry’s strategic focus sustainably is to upscale fish production, tapping into the full spectrum of our marine resources,” Oyetola stated.

While some governments continue to fuel overfishing through $22 billion in harmful subsidies, Oyetola, stated that Nigeria is actively working to safeguard its fisheries sector through policy reforms, investment in infrastructure, and sustainable management practices.

Oyetola noted that following the transfer of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to the Ministry, Nigeria has increased engagements with stakeholders to address sectoral challenges.

He said the country is also reviewing its Sea Fisheries Act to align it with current realities, particularly in the fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Oyetola said Nigeria is adopting best practices from countries like Morocco by engaging private sector actors to establish state-of-the-art fish harbours and terminals through public-private partnerships (PPP).

Additionally, in a major milestone for exports, Oyetola said Nigeria achieved 100 per cent compliance in the 2024 Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) re-certification exercise conducted by the U.S. Department of State. He said this certification ensures continued access to key international markets, including the United States and the European Union, for Nigerian shrimp and other seafood products.

In a bid to increase fish production and reduce imports, the Minister said Nigeria is expanding the Oyan Dam Cage Culture Model to impounded waters nationwide. According to him, this initiative, approved by the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation (NCWR&S), is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, noting that a Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) has been formed to oversee the rollout.

Further demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, Oyetola said Nigeria is strengthening its catfish value chains through collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) under the Fish4ACP program.

He said this initiative focuses on the economic, social and environmental sustainability of Nigeria’s fisheries sector. He also stated that as part of modernisation efforts, the government is automating all fisheries operations to improve efficiency.

Oyetola noted that the government is also enhancing linkages between the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), educational institutions, and local governments, particularly in the artisanal fisheries sector.

He said a key priority is increasing the participation of women and youth in fisheries and aquaculture, ensuring that economic benefits are widely distributed.