Safety of fishing vessels worries NIMASA, mulls synergy with FDFA

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The safety of vessels on fishery in Nigerian waters gives great concern to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The Director General of NIMASA Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has in the light of the foregoing called for greater collaboration between the agency and the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (FDFA) for safety enhancement.

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has called for greater synergy between the Agency and the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (FDFA) to ensure safety of fishing vessels and their operators in Nigeria.

At a strategic meeting with officials of FDFAand NIMASA held in Lagos to brainstorm on safety of fishing vessels, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, and broader crimes that take place during fishing operations and related matters, Dr Jamoh made the call.

Jamoh represented by the Head, Special Duties (External Relations and Technical Cooperation), Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, noted that there should be adequate information sharing between FDFA, which has the mandate to license fishing vessels, and NIMASA that is responsible for registration and survey of the vessels to ensure that un-seaworthy vessels are not licensed to operate in Nigerian waters.

He stated, “It is important that NIMASA and the Federal Department of Fisheries agree to continuously collaborate on modalities for registration, survey and licensing of fishing vessels to ensure that all safety standards are met before they can be allowed to operate.

Osagie Edward , Assistant Director, Public Relations NIMASA had stated that the move would drastically reduce incidents involving fishing vessels in nation’s territorial waters.

On maritime security, Jamoh said with the acquisition and training of operators of the Deep Blue assets, the days of criminal elements in Nigeria’s maritime domain were numbered, as the assets had been fully deployed.

Giving his remarks, FDFA Lagos Office Head of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Mr. Paul Opuama, Thanked NIMASA for hosting the meeting, that it has provided a very useful opportunity to not only clear some grey operational areas but also foster greater collaboration in order to improve safety of fishing vessels.

The one day strategic meeting, which held under the auspices of NIMASA’s External Relations and Technical Cooperation programme, was aimed at seeking areas of collaboration between the two agencies for the benefit of the fishing industry in Nigeria.