ibironkeeniola 
The president of the Fishermen Association of Lagos State, Alhaji Fasasi Adekunle has decried the activities of multinational companies on the high sea, noting they have made fishing difficult and risky.
Adekunle disclosed that the multinational companies were causing oil spill and chemical pollution, which had driven fishes far into the deep sea resulting to scarcity of fish.
As a result of the water pollution caused by the companies, Adekunle revealed that his members result to traveling far into the sea to operate.
“The activities of well-known companies on the sea are forcing fishermen to about 600 meters into the deep sea. This is worrisome.
“The chemical is destroying business. We are not making sufficient catch as before because it is driving the fishes away.
“The number of fishes we have this year is very low because of constant pollution and lack of modern equipment for fishing,’’ he said.
Adekunle further disclosed that the dredging activities in Lagos Lagoon was another problem that had affected fishing business and depleted its benefits, while also noting that Nigeria is not producing enough fish to attain self-sufficiency.
He said, “We go about 600 metres into the Lagos Lagoon because the dredging work is hindering fishing business as experienced on the high sea.
“The dredging poses a threat and a challenge to the fishing business. We appeal to government to urgently address the problems to avoid creating unemployment
“We have over one million fishermen in the state alone and we all are having same difficulties”
The association’s president further beckoned on the Lagos state government to check oil spill and indiscriminate dredging of the lagoon to enable fishermen to move deeper into the sea. He also called on the government to assist members of the association with speed boat engines to operate effectively.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA