Nigeria is losing a staggering $70 million annually due to unregulated and illegal fishing practices, exacerbated by outdated fishing regulations. The Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria Limited (FCFNL) has, therefore, raised concerns over the country’s obsolete fishing laws, weak enforcement, and underfunding of the Federal Department of Fisheries.
According to Muhammad Laminu, National President of FCFNL, Nigeria’s fisheries laws, enacted in the 1980s, are no longer effective in regulating the industry. “The problem with unregulated fishing is a result of outdated laws. These regulations have not been revisited for decades, and they no longer serve their purpose,” he said.
Laminu emphasized the need for urgent reform, stating, “The government needs to reform the sector and allocate more funds to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement.” He also called for the review and update of the fisheries law to reflect current realities and strengthen regulations to protect Nigeria’s marine resources. To promote sustainable fishing practices, FCFNL is developing training and capacity-building programs for its members. Laminu noted, “We are developing training and capacity-building programs for our members to ensure they adopt sustainable fishing practices.”
