The President,
Fishermen Association of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mr Michael Wilfred, has raised alarm over the high level of marine pollution which has affected the eco system and members of the association in their occupation.
Wilfred, who raised the alarm in a chat with our correspondent in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said the pollution had made fishing difficult for its members and others.
According to him, aquatic life in Port Harcourt and some fishing settlements within Okrika and Ogu/Bolo local government areas have also been affected, thereby making livelihood of the fisher folk a great concern.
The president disclosed that his association made frantic efforts and complains during the last administration in the state, but all to no avail.
He hinted that survival of the fisher folks had become a big challenge due to the marine pollution, stressing that no fish or any other sea animals survives in polluted water.
He also noted with dismay that the marine pollution had also affected the fishes and other species at the mangrove forest, thereby compounding the suffering of the fisher folk in the areas.
Wilfred further disclosed that fishermen at fishing settlements cannot even afford to pay their children’s school fees, build houses for a living or feed their families adequately as a result of the pollution that could not allow them to make a catch adding that their fishing nets have also been damaged.
The association’s president however called on the federal, state and co-operate organisations to come to their aid by empowering the fishermen and made efforts to clean-up the areas for an effective and productive fishing expedition.

Collins Barasimeye