The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has called for stronger fisheries regulations and enforcement to address overfishing and water pollution, stressing the sector’s importance to food security and national development.
Kehinde made the call while declaring open the 41st Annual General Meeting and conference of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), held at FUNAAB, Ogun State.
Welcoming the FISON President, Dr Ebinimi Ansa, members of the society’s National Executive, fisheries professionals, university staff and other delegates, the Vice-Chancellor described the conference as a strategic platform for leadership, innovation and practical engagement.
He said the gathering provides opportunities for collaboration among academia, industry and policymakers to address challenges facing the fisheries sector and promote sustainable development.
Kehinde noted that FUNAAB had remained committed to agricultural excellence through research, community engagement and the training of graduates equipped to provide solutions to real-world challenges.
He added that the university’s commitment to public health and environmental sustainability was reflected in its campus ecosystem, which promotes responsible resource management.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the institution’s collaborations with leading universities and professional bodies across the world, including FISON, noting that such partnerships had strengthened knowledge exchange and institutional development.
He further disclosed that FUNAAB had been ranked the seventh-best agricultural university globally and the best university of agriculture in Africa, describing the recognition as evidence of its commitment to academic and research excellence.
Speaking on the importance of fisheries, Kehinde said the sector contributes significantly to food security by providing fish, an important source of high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats.
He added that fisheries creates employment opportunities, supports entrepreneurship and contributes to economic growth through activities across the fishing and fish production value chains.
However, the Vice-Chancellor identified overfishing as a major challenge, explaining that catching fish faster can threatens fish populations and the long-term sustainability of aquatic resources.
He also expressed concern over water pollution caused by the discharge of industrial waste and other harmful substances into rivers and lakes, warning that such practices threaten aquatic life and undermine fish production.
Kehinde urged the government to strengthen fisheries regulations and ensure their effective enforcement to address these challenges and protect the nation’s aquatic resources.
He emphasised the need to preserve water resources for present and future generations, calling for collective efforts to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries sector.
The Vice-Chancellor subsequently declared the conference open and wished participants fruitful deliberations.
