By Ogadinma Wokoma | National News
Tensions are mounting between the Okrika and Andoni communities in Rivers State as escalating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities threaten marine resources and raise fears of a possible communal conflict.
The development came to the fore during the third peace and regulatory meeting convened by the Department of Fisheries, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, where stakeholders from the Torugungu Fishers Associations expressed concern over the dwindling fish catch in the state’s waterways.
The fishermen warned that continued use of prohibited fishing methods in shallow creeks was destroying aquatic resources and leaving local fishermen with little or nothing to take home.
Speaking with journalists at the meeting held at Bille House in Port Harcourt, Chairman of the Torugungu Fishers Association, Mr Andrew, said fish catches had virtually collapsed as a result of activities by operators allegedly using banned fishing equipment and destructive methods.
He said, “Let them take the fishing to the high sea and leave the creeks for us. On Tuesday night, I was in the water till daybreak and could not catch a single sardine. This is so bad.
“We are calling on the government to help us local fishermen; otherwise, there will be serious problems, and we do not want that.”
Concerned about the possibility of fishermen resorting to self-help, the Head of the Department of Fisheries, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Fibite Adokiye Bibi, announced immediate regulatory and enforcement measures.
Bibi said the ministry would issue formal letters of reprimand to violators and petition security agencies, including the Nigerian Navy and Ocean Police, to arrest and prosecute individuals caught using illegal fishing gear or violating environmental regulations.
He expressed concern over the refusal of some operators to comply with repeated warnings, stressing that prohibited fishing zones would continue to be enforced.
According to him, the affected areas include Amadi-Ama down to Marine Base, Abotoru, Ogoloma, David-Okogbam, Andrew Chukwu-Ama, Ikpokolu, Isscacar and Chort Torubie.
The fisheries chief warned fishermen to immediately stop the use of destructive fishing equipment and hazardous practices, including Oyema nets, Small-Ghana boats, Cover Bush, Akara nets, chemical poisoning and dynamite blasting.
The latest enforcement measures followed unsuccessful mediation efforts aimed at resolving the dispute between the affected fishing communities.
One of the previous peace meetings was held at the palace of King Ateke Tom in Okochiri, Okrika Local Government Area, where Andoni fishermen were reportedly urged to stop destructive fishing practices or restrict their activities to their own waters.
However, representatives at the latest meeting alleged that the prohibited practices had continued despite the earlier intervention.
The Chairman of the Andoni Fishers Association, Mr Kelvin, however, rejected accusations that Andoni fishermen were solely responsible for the crisis, urging the Okrika community to examine the activities of its own traditional leaders.
Using an analogy, Kelvin said the continued presence of a person farming in front of another person’s house despite repeated warnings could suggest that the owner of the property was aware of the activity.
He argued that future peace meetings would achieve little unless all parties implicated in the dispute, including relevant Okrika chiefs, were invited to participate directly.
State officials, however, maintained that dialogue would remain an important component of the peace process but stressed that law enforcement and traditional accountability would now form part of efforts to end illegal fishing.
They warned that continued abuse of the waterways could not only worsen tensions between the communities but also cause further damage to Rivers State’s already fragile aquatic ecosystem.
