Stakeholders task Nigerians to bridge aquaculture gaps to boost fish export

Some stakeholders in the Nigerian aquaculture subsector have harped on the need to bridge the gaps in the sector to foster international acceptance of locally grown fish.

The stakeholders said this at the ongoing Norwegian Seafood Council capacity training for fishery officers and stakeholders in Lagos.

The Norwegian Seafood Council representative, Mrs Abbey Cheke, harped on the importance of the training and capacity building to equip the sector for global acceptance.

Cheke said that the training for Nigerian fishery officers and stakeholders would strengthen the sector in line with global standards.

She noted that Norwegian aquaculture is the most sustainable in the world.

The Director-General, Department of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Norway, Mr Erling Rimestead, said the training and capacity building would foster the age long trade relationship between Nigeria and Norway.

On his part, Mr Samson Alatise, from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Development Finance Department, said the apex bank is ready to finance the fish sector to the next level.

The National Agency For Food and Drug Administrationamd Control (NAFDAC) representative, Mr Danjuma Haruna, said as a regulatory body, the agency is set to help the bridge gaps in local fish exports acceptance.

The Superintendent of Customs, UG Mustapha , Apapa Customs Command, also reiterated the customs readiness to put intending fish exporters and importers on the statutory guidelines for international trade.