Farmer Tasks Govt On Fish Shortage

A traditional and subsistence fish farmer, Mr Benson Ukadike, has called on governments at all levels to revert to fresh water fish farming as a pro-active measure in checking the persistent fish needs of the citizenry.

Mr Ukadike who spoke with our correspondent at Edeoha in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State over the weekend explained that it was not enough for government and individuals to procure trawlers and other fishing gears and engage in fishing on the seas.

He stated that such ventures were counterproductive on the long run due to the indiscriminate and uncontrolled methods used, describing it as “a declaration of total war on the sea against fishes”.

He cautioned that fishing on large seas like those of Bonny, Opobo, Brass and Nembe among others, should be restricted to specific areas at specific periods in order to avoid what he called, “whole sale   fishing” on the nation’s waters.

He explained that in developed countries fishing was properly regulated resulting in less effort and increased output while in our own case, more effort was expended with less output.

According to him, it was easier to culture fish from fresh water than fish from the brackish water and that was why catfish has become a common sight in the market. He called for concerted efforts toward the cultivation of fresh water fish by individuals and corporate organisations.

On the activities of those who use poisonous and other unwholesome methods, in killing fish for sale in the markets, he described the practice as sabotage and called on such people to desist from the act.

He said consumption of fish killed under such circumstances had a negative long lasting after effects on the unsuspecting public and called on the appropriate authority to check “the wicked practice”.

While calling on those engaged in legitimate fishing to use the required mesh size at all times, he advised that fishermen should not hesitate to release into the water any fish that has not attained adulthood.