Request government intervention over the danger to their trade
Fishermen in the Niger Delta region plying their trade at the Atlantic coastline have expressed concern over floating weeds on the ocean in Akwa Ibom coastline.
According to them, the situation which portends great danger to the food chain was noticed last week.
The decomposing seaweeds have covered the ocean surface and contaminated fishing nets, thereby forcing fish to migrate deeper into the ocean.
Samuel Ayadi, the chairman of the Akwa Ibom Chapter of the Artisanal Fishermen Association of Nigeria, said the association had reported the development to the relevant agencies, including the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Environment and National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency.
“These seaweeds cover everywhere, all the surface of the water. When fishermen go to the sea, the weeds will enter their nets and many of them will find it difficult to carry the net to the boat,” Ayadi said.
“Some of these seaweeds, by the time they decay at the surface of the water, they will sink again because the fish feed on it at the seabed.
“By the time they sink, the oil spills, then the thing will go and kill the seaweeds and the weeds will come up, that is why they cover everywhere along this coastline.”
The fishermen have appealed for a quick intervention in the situation.
