Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), underscored the significance of addressing biofouling to bolster national food security.
Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), underscored the significance of addressing biofouling to bolster national food security.
He made this statement during a three-day workshop on the Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (Test Biofouling) Project for Partnering Countries, which was organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in collaboration with MTCC-Africa. Dr. Jamoh emphasized the necessity for the country to mitigate the adverse effects of biofouling and prevent the transfer of invasive species by ships to safeguard the marine environment and promote national food security.
In his words, “The importance of protecting and conserving our seas, oceans, and their inhabitants cannot be overemphasized, as we are intrinsically linked to them, and their well-being reflects our own well-being too.
“When non-indigenous marine species are introduced into an ecoregion, they can outcompete native species, thus posing a threat to their existence, biodiversity, and national food security, resulting in a significant social and economic impact for our nation,” he explained.
He stressed the importance of safeguarding the marine environment and effectively managing biofouling across all waterways in the country, aligning with global best practices.