Many households in coastal communities in Nigeria rely on artisanal fisheries and aquaculture for their food security and livelihoods.
Women in Agwagune coastal community in Cross-river State harvest periwinkles, mangrove oyster, crabs and other shellfish to provide nutrition and income for their families. They have recently observed a decline in their catch, due to ecosystem degradation and overfishing.
A local NGO, Women in Seafood and Aquaculture Resources Cooperative Society (WISAAR) supports them through mangrove restoration and livelihood diversification activities, like digging tidal ponds to cultivate local breeds of tilapia or shrimp. Lack of local expertise and invasive species like napier palm have hindered their efforts in coastal aquaculture.
Elsewhere, in Lagos State, the Awofo community lives on the shores of Badagry coastal lagoon. Here also, people rely on fishing, fish farming - tilapia cage aquaculture at Orisha farms- and other water-related jobs e.g. taxi boats.
As Lagos’ name suggests (it means lakes in Portuguese), this lowland area of Nigeria is surrounded by waters, from inland and from the sea. Frontline between freshwater and marine ecosystem, this is a territory of change : salinity fluctuation, land erosion and climate change.
Many Nigerians do love their fish. It is one of cheapest animal proteins and it makes up over 40% of protein intake in an average diet.
Grilled, boiled in pepper soup or smoked - pictures, Sejfarm products, Badagry -, the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is a regular staple in Nigerian cuisine.
Catfish farming has become a very popular aquaculture business as this species represents now more than 80% of fish cultured in Nigeria. 80% of fish produced come from small-scale fish farms in brackish and freshwater bodies.
Digging or cleaning ponds before the next production cycle, feeding fish and hatchery management, and fish processing, the aquaculture sector provides good job opportunities for the youth.
However, fish farmers in recent years face tremendous challenges to stay profitable due to expensive feed, Naira currency devaluation and inflation causing price increase in inputs and equipment, in the face of competition with cheap imported frozen fish of questionable quality standards.
There is also increased competition for land and water resources with other farming sectors and industry.
Nigerian aquaculture, which plays an important role in reducing rural poverty, needs systemic changes.
Research points at a great potential for coastal and marine aquaculture. The Nigerian coastline however includes very unique and fragile ecosystems, with the largest mangrove expanse in Africa; threatened by different sources of pollution and uncertain tenure systems.
Map retrieved from Global Mangrove Watch,2024
Priority should be given to nature positive, inclusive and integrated aquaculture innovations. As the Asia Africa Bluetech Superhighway (AABS) initiative starts in Nigeria, Worldfish and AABS stakeholders map out current challenges and opportunities for the sustainable transformation of coastal aquaculture.
Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) could be what Nigerian coastal communities need to improve their livelihoods.
IMTA is the association of finfish culture with shellfish, crabs, marine algae or other complementary marine culture which can feed on fish farming waste.
This nutrient-efficient aquaculture system has lower environmental footprint and provides diversification and resilience. It is already practised in Asia and is starting to be promoted in some African countries.
Seaweed farming has proven to be a good livelihood alternative for women in Eastern and Southern Africa, e.g. in Zanzibar (pic), but has to be well planned to integrate sustainable market links for long term success. Nigeria has many (79) seaweed species but algae mariculture has not yet taken off, despite a potential and local research interest in seaweed uses.
Innovation transfer is always a challenge, but the creativity and enthusiasm of Nigerian partners is a promising start to imagine a sustainable aquaculture future through adoption of IMTA’s concept.
Photo credits: Jerome Bossuet, Alina Paul-Bossuet, Rodrigue Yossa, Glory Onun Adonase-WISAAR, Arifur Rahman.
Built with Shorthand