The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has
commenced a scientific inquiry to identify the cause of the recent
shoals of dead fish washed ashore along the Niger Delta coastline states
of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers, and other places
within the region. The Agency also put up a warning to the general
public, especially the fisherfolk in the affected areas, about the
dangers of consuming or selling the dead fish to unsuspecting members of
the public.
Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said, “We are working with
relevant scientific experts to isolate the cause of the abnormal issue
of dead fish along the Niger Delta coastline. We want to identify the
cause and establish what can be done to alleviate the adverse effect of
this occurrence on the people and the marine environment in the affected
areas.
“While we are working to decipher and mitigate this strange incident, we
appeal to locals in the affected communities and those who trade in
aquatic animals to avoid consumption and sale of the dead fish, as such
acts may carry criminal liabilities, especially with regard to
deliberate sale of the dead fish to the public.”
Jamoh said the tripodal investigation would involve an examination of
the dead fish as well as water and sediment analyses.
NIMASA has the mandate to regulate and protect the country’s marine
environment as provided for in the Merchant Shipping Act 2007 and in
compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL
1973/78), and other relevant instruments aimed at protecting the
maritime domain.