Mrs Foluke Areola, a director of Fisheries at FDF, spoke in Lagos with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
She alleged that the firm had been sending e-mails to fish farmers, informing them of its plan to distribute fingerlings of a specie called “Mekong giant catfish” to Nigerian fish farmers.
“The effect of allowing this specie of unknown origin will be detrimental to the ecosystem, in terms of bio-diversity of our waters and the commercially cultured species in the country.
“Obviously, this is not being planned to go through due process under an import licence and quarantine procedure of the movement of live fish among countries,” Mrs Areola said.
She added that the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) should be put on the alert to frustrate any attempt to import live fish into the country.
Mrs Areola urged stakeholders not to buy the imported catfish and to look out for those who are trying to import the fish.
“We must all police the importation of this giant fish and report accordingly to ensure that they do not succeed.
“Farmers are also warned not to attempt to culture the catfish,” she said. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Is it that this said fish is not good for consumption or paper works has not been done regarding exporting it to Nigeria, or its all political? Because the said foreign company don't manufacture this giant strange fish.
ReplyDeleteNigeria should be careful of Asians.they r highly corrupt nd can compromise their integrity for anything.most of the fake goods r from Asians in collaboration with our hard working brothers in quote.that is why pple r battling with strange diseases.what is giant fish,pple shouldn't eat that might cause serious health hazard.
ReplyDeleteOur officials in this country should learn to speak like intellectuals. What do they mean by "strange fish". I have seen this specie of fish on NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL several times and there is nothing strange about it. It is just a specie of catfish that grows really big. Just like the BULL FROG when compared to other edible frog species. What they should be concerned about is how beneficial or detrimental the introduction of this specie will be to our local fish cultivation practice and economy on the long run.
ReplyDeleteFrom my own point of view , this fish wont be dentrimental to our ecosystems because its a filter feeder, its very tasty, its a good sport fish due to its very large size even more than 300kg and this specie was once endangered . Thus i support its introduction because it will do very well here ,Nigerians would benefit from it, we are not the first to be doing so
ReplyDelete