COURSE CODE: FAQ 581
DEPARTMENT OF
FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE
INTRODUCTION
Fish
is generally believed to be a comparatively cheaper and available Fish is
generally believed to be a comparatively cheaper and available source of animal
protein in most countries around the world, especially in Nigeria. Fish
and fish products are known worldwide to be very important in the diet because
of their high nutritive value and their significance on human health.
Fish is one of the most important
animal protein sources available in the tropics (Eyo, 2001). Fish consumption
has impact on various stages of human life, including pregnancy and childhood.
Despite the fact that fish is most widely
consumed source of animal protein in Nigeria, the level of consumption
is still far below the world average (FAOSTAT, 2005).
The
importance of fisheries to the Nigerian economy is indicated by its
contribution to the cross domestic products being 5.4% in 2002 (FDF). Nigerians
are high fish consumers with total consumption figures of about 1.5 million
metric tons, out of which about 700,000 metric tons is imported (FAO, 2000).
With such substantial proportion of the fish consumed in Nigeria
imported, it is important to expand local production to meet increasing demand
and save the country from avoidable negative balance of payment.
The contribution of fisheries to the
nation economy is very significant in term of employment income generation,
poverty alleviation, foreign exchange earnings and provisions of raw materials
for the animal feed industry.
TREND OF FISH CONSUMPTION IN NIGERIA
Fish, an important source of animal
protein, is in increasing demand in Nigeria. This increase in demand is
due to a number of factors such as high population growth rate, increasing
national income and increasing cost of meat and other sources of animal protein.
It was estimated that the per caput fish consumption for a day in Nigeria, in the
early 1960s, was 29.1g which represents 35% of the per caput consumption of
livestock products and 30.8% of animal protein intake (Olayide, 1972). This per
caput fish consumption was higher than any other livestock product in the country
during the period. In the 1980s, about 40% of animal protein consumed in the
country was derived from fish, with the relatively higher per caput consumption
of fish being attributed to greater availability of this product at relatively
cheaper prices (Osajuyigbe, 1981). The total demand for fish in Nigeria was
estimated at 0.940, 1,150 and 1,450 million tons for 1975, 1980 and 1985,
respectively (Williams, 1986).
While the demand for fish kept growing in Nigeria, the
production of fish in the country was declining. Total consumption averaged 463.
953 and 741,221 metric tons in 1971 and 1981, respectively . This trend in fish
consumption was expected to increase in the years ahead. The projected fish
consumption of over 2 million metric tons by the year 2000 and a project per
caput consumption of 14.49kg for that year, which in the face of a declining
index of fish production meant a further widening of the gap between consumption
and production led to a soaring fish import bills. Adesini and Aderinola (1983)
have shown that Nigeria
has a relatively high marginal propensity to consume imported fish and that the
volume of fish imports was very responsive to changes in socio-economic factors
such as population, national income and domestic fish production.
FISH CONSUMPTION IN NIGERIA
1971-1981
|
Year
|
Domestic production metric tons
|
Imports metric tons
|
Total consumption metric tons
|
Projected human population
|
Per caput consumption (kg)
|
|
1971
|
409,537
|
54,416
|
463,958
|
66,365
|
6.99
|
|
1972
|
437,971
|
65,063
|
503,034
|
68,356
|
7.36
|
|
1973
|
465,075
|
71,410
|
536,485
|
70,406
|
7.62
|
|
1974
|
473,220
|
74,905
|
548,125
|
72,834
|
7.53
|
|
1975
|
466,236
|
114,186
|
580,422
|
74,693
|
7.77
|
|
1976
|
494,766
|
133,977
|
628,743
|
76,699
|
8.20
|
|
1977
|
504,014
|
164,449
|
666,463
|
78,557
|
8.51
|
|
1978
|
518,667
|
202,208
|
720,775
|
80,563
|
8.95
|
|
1979
|
535,435
|
218,000
|
753,435
|
82,621
|
9.12
|
|
1980
|
479,596
|
234,000
|
713,596
|
84,732
|
8.42
|
|
1981
|
496,221
|
243,000
|
741,221
|
86,897
|
8.53
|
Source of estimate adopted from
Olayide et al., (1972) the rest of the data were obtained from the Federal
Department of Fisheries.
PROJECTED FISH DEMAND FOR NIGERIA 1980-2000
|
Year
|
Projected human population
|
Project per caput consumption
|
Projected fish
demand (million tons)
|
|
1980
|
84.732
|
9.29
|
0.787
|
|
1981
|
86.892
|
9.55
|
0.830
|
|
1982
|
89.118
|
9.81
|
0.874
|
|
1983
|
91.395
|
10.07
|
0.920
|
|
1984
|
93.732
|
10.33
|
0.968
|
|
1985
|
96.128
|
10.59
|
1.018
|
|
1986
|
98.586
|
10.85
|
1.070
|
|
1987
|
101.107
|
11.11
|
1.123
|
|
1988
|
103.693
|
11.37
|
1.179
|
|
1989
|
106.345
|
11.63
|
1.237
|
|
1990
|
109.067
|
11.89
|
1.297
|
|
1991
|
111.858
|
12.15
|
1.359
|
|
1992
|
114.720
|
12.41
|
1.424
|
|
1993
|
117.657
|
12.67
|
1.491
|
|
1994
|
120.669
|
12.93
|
1.560
|
|
1995
|
123.759
|
13.19
|
1.632
|
|
1996
|
126.929
|
13.45
|
1.707
|
|
1997
|
130.180
|
13.71
|
1.785
|
|
1998
|
133.516
|
13.97
|
1.865
|
|
1999
|
136.933
|
14.23
|
1.949
|
|
2000
|
140.446
|
14.49
|
2.035
|
SOURCES OF FISH IN NIGERIA
The Nigeria fishing industry comprises
of artisanal, industrial and aquaculture. The awareness of the potential of
aquaculture to contribute to domestic production and export has become high.
Fish species which are commonly cultured in Nigeria include Tilapia spp, Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Clarias
gariepinus, Mugil spp, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Heterotis niloticus, Ophiocephalus
obscura, and Cyprinus carpio. Fish
can be sourced from different water bodies.
Rivers:
There
are 37 rivers in Nigeria.
The Niger,
the most important originated from Sierra Leone in the eastern side of
the Futa Jallon Mountains with the Benue
as it most important tributary. A heterogeneous species of fishes characterizes
these rivers and is still capable of better rational exploitation and
management to enable the fisheries makes a higher contribution to the country’s
fish production
Lagoon/Brackish water fisheries:
. They are important media of significant
artisanal fisheries exploitation and had contributed significantly to the
fisheries resources of Nigeria
in the past. However, in recent past, there has been a serious and rapid
decline of the fisheries resources of this zone, principally due to dredging
and sand filling activities associated with urbanization.
Lake and
reservoirs:
175
lakes and reservoirs with an estimated total area of 136,160 hectares have been
identified. These lakes and reservoirs can be better exploited through
deliberate stocking and better management for high production.
DOMESTIC
PRODUCTION OF FISH IN NIGERIA
Fish farming or culture (an aspect of
aquaculture) is an integral component of the overall agricultural production
system in Nigeria.
The
the
African catfish, Clarias gariepinus
is the most farmed (Agbede et al.,
2003).
In spite of the great potentials of
fish farming in Nigeria,
Nigeria
is still unable to bridge the gap in the shortfall between total domestic fish
production and the total domestic fish demand in Nigeria; total domestic fish production
is far less than the total domestic demand.
According to Zango-Daura (2000) as
cited by Rahji and Teslem Bada (2010), the country requires 750,000 tons of
fish while domestic production amounted to 350,000 tons. Fish importation makes
up the balance of 400,000 tons. Importation is thus often used to bridge the
fish supply demand gap (Rahji et al.,
2001). According to Zango-Daura (2000), Nigeria requires about 1.5 million
tons of fish annually. This is what is needed to meet FAO’s recommended minimum
fish consumption rate of 12.5 kilograms per head yearly to satisfy basic
protein needs. For now, the unsatisfied demand will continue to be met through
importation unless policy actions are geared towards improving domestic
productions by providing solution to factors militating against aquaculture in
country.
However,
the huge sum of money spent by Nigeria
annually in fish importation could be used to invest in fish farming. Nigeria can
substitute fish importation with domestic production to create jobs, reduce poverty
in rural area where 70% of the population lives and ease the balance of
payment.
IMPORTATION OF FISH IN NIGERIA
Nigeria spends about N50 billion on importations of frozen fish
to augment shortfall in domestic production, put at about 600,000 metric tons.
Meanwhile, the demand for fish and fishery products in Nigeria has
been on the increase with supply not meeting up with the demand current
projected fish demand. According to the
Agriculture Minister, it is estimated at 2.66 million metric tons based on a
population of 140 million (Food and Agricultural Organization).
The Ministry of Agriculture had
indicated last year that importation of fish would be banned with the aim at
saving foreign exchange and promoting local farming, but warned that an outright
ban would have profound consequences for the people who would be abruptly
denied their sole source of protein.
Nigeria produced only 30 per cent
of the country’s requirements. Nigeria
requires 2.66 million tons of fish annually to satisfy the dietary needs of its
citizens.
However, imported fish is available to
the people at hugely lower prices compared to consumers in other countries.
Locally farmed fish is nearly double the price of imported fish making it a
luxury for an average Nigeria
to consume. For instance, the imported frozen fish is available to the people
at an average of N150-250 per kg, where
as the locally farmed catfish sells for a whopping N500 per kg.
Given the low price for imported fish,
Nigerians even from the lowest rung of the social ladder with very poor incomes
are still able to buy fish on a daily basis, meeting the protein needs of their
families. The stock of fish in Nigeria
waters is negligible for trawling. Most of the shrimps and prawns caught
locally are being exported to Europe at higher
prices.
According
to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) figures,
Nigeria industrial trawl fishery is dominated by trawlers using 400-600 hp
engines and vessels of 45-110 meter length overall. The fleet is currently over
300 vessels, although less than 50 per cent are actively fishing and producing
only about 30,000 tons of fish and approximately 7000 tons of shrimps.
NIGERIA AS A
DESTINATION FOR FROZEN FISH
Since the time the government of Nigeria made a tariff
reduction on all fishery products from 25% to 5% in 2001, Nigeria has
become a major destination for imported seafood. There are various species of
frozen fish being imported into Nigeria.
The Herring Mackerel (KOTE) and croaker are expensive compared to the other
species. Some canned products are also imported. Wholesalers or retailers are
located of these markets but they purchase from importers or distributors’ cold
storage facilities. Those owing usually small cold store located within the
market area, have the product delivered directly to them.
The imported frozen seafood is usually shipped
to Apapa-Lagos, Port Harcourt
and Warri. It is inspected, passed through custom clearance and after clearance
the products are transported in refrigerated trucks to cold storage warehouse
located within Lagos
and other urban centers. Wholesalers, usually have their cold storage
facilities and purchase as the product is offloaded or take stock from
importers cold stores.
For health reasons, the Nigerian Government
classifies port clearance for fish landings at Nigeria’s ports as “priority”.
Importers are allowed to transport their consignments to their warehouses even
upon a partial payment of duty and port charges (usually 80%) the remainder to
be paid later at an agreed time. Imported seafood products are shipped in branded
boxes package of 20kg, 25kg and 30kg and the number of fish per box varies with
fish sizes – small, medium or large which range from 80 to 120 pieces per
cartoon. Wholesalers often site their cold storage facilities in the
traditional markets. It has been found to be a difficult task to maintain low
temperature of the cold stores due to frequent power failure, manual loading
process (where temperature is lost due to opening and closing of the door)
failure of machinery due to voltage fluctuation, etc. When care is not taken,
the fluctuation in cold-store temperature does affect the quality of the fish
adversely. In most of countries, especially Europe
countries, frozen fish is pelletized and handled with forklift, whereas in Nigeria fish is
off-loaded carton by carton into the lorries or trucks. In Nigeria, most
frozen fish is transported in covered or open trucks but without refrigeration.
One should, therefore, be careful that the duration it takes to load, transport
and off-load the fish falls within a reasonable time frame. If by any chance
the fish is not offloaded on the same day and left outside the cold stores
overnight, the recovery from that fish will be less than 50% of the cost value..
More
than 80 percent of distribution channel members in Nigeria’s traditional markets are
retailers. The product prices are about 20-30 percent lower in the traditional markets
than in convenience stores and supermarkets. Pricing in Nigeria’s traditional
markets is usually negotiated on the spot.
The Federal fisheries unit issues
import license to local firms applying to import after due certifications. The
Nigeria Customs Service is the government agency for import duty collection.
FISH CONSUMPTION:
IMPLICATIONS FOR FISHERY DEVELOPMENT POLICY
Fisheries policy in Nigeria has
been developed and included as a sub-component of the agriculture sector in
various National Development Plans in the 1970s and 1980s. The policy covers, both
marine and inland waters.
There is therefore the need to pursue more
vigorously the objective of increasing the daily per caput intake of fish.
This rising demand for fish in the
face of declining performances of the fishery sub sector points to the need for
stepping up domestic fish production in the country
Because of the very high preference for fresh fish in the country,
there is a need to promote the supply of fish to the Nigerian market. past experience has shown that the objective
of increased fish production may not be realized unless deliberate, disciplined
governmental efforts are committed to the task. However, less than 56% of the
demand target was realized by the end of the plan, which points not only to the
need for a bold fish production programme but also an effective implementation
of development plans. A bold programme of fish production calls for, among
other things, the provision of highly subsided fishing inputs such as outboard
engines and fishing nets. In this regard, increased efforts should be made
toward the establishment of local assembly and manufacturing plans for the
domestic production of these inputs. Efforts to develop fish caning enterprises
and other fish-based industries should also be intensified. These measures, when
combined with the provision of adequate processing, storage , transport
facilities, and the provision of adequate training programmes for indigenous
fishermen will go a long way increasing the local supply of fish, and hence in
meeting the consumption requirement of fish in Nigeria.
CONCLUSION
This paper x-rays fish consumption in Nigeria and
what policy framework is needed to be put in place to meet the country’s fish
demand. Meeting the nation’s fish requirement is an important parameter of assessing our level of national
development.
From the study, it can be concluded that attention
should be given to expanding the local production of fish. This can be done by,
among other things, providing adequate training programmes on fish production for
fish farmers; dissemination of research findings using extension agents. Fish
farms should be able to access credit facilities to improve their production
outputs. Therefore, government should participate in fish farming in the area of
providing finance and fish farming inputs like fingerlings and fish feeds to
boost local production. Fish farmers should be encouraged to be organized into
formidable groups such as cooperative societies to enjoy economies of scale in
the purchase of inputs and scale of output. The formation of the cooperative societies
also makes it easy to source for labour. Efforts should be made to ensure the incorporation
of these suggestions into an effective policy framework for the country
.if judiciously
implemented, the measures suggested in this paper will go a long way to
stimulate the fish industry and make more fish available for consumption in Nigeria.