For many years now, fishing, particularly in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, has suffered a terrible setback because of the hostile activities of the oil companies in the area. GABRIEL EWEPU writes on this development.
It was common sight to behold Niger Delta indigenes of various ages straddling their implements for fishing and heading straight to the nearest water source from which they could practice their traditional vocation- fishing. It gave them untold joy as they sang or hummed popular folklore rhymes while fixing their tools and hoping that the day’s catch of fishes would make their day.
That was those good old days; when the waters in the region were near clear crystals and fishes and other aquatic life abounded, waiting for the fishermen.
Today, besides the sad development where many of the able bodied men and women have left the region in search of greener pastures and white collar jobs in other fields of endeavour, the once sparkling waters where they fishes loved to inhabit are no more in their place are murky waters and many which are not fit for aquatic life.
The predominant geographical feature of the various regions of the country, to a large extent, determines what becomes the inhabitants’ occupation or means of livelihood. For the people of the oil rich Niger Delta, fishing was their mainstay. This was however before the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity from the Niger Delta region.
The indigenes of the region took to fishing because their environment was predominantly surrounded by friendly waters. A majority of them live around different bodies of water: lakes, rivers, mangrove swamps, streams, and the Atlantic Ocean. Many of them live in make-shift structures above the rivers, while some lived by the shore.
They have their livelihood from the resources in the water, basically by fishing. The fishing occupation has been in existence for many centuries long before the discovery of crude.
The ethnic groups that engage in fishing in the Niger Delta are the Ijaws, Illajes and Urhobos.
They are known for their expertise in the fishing business. Most of them do it more on the subsistence level than for the commercial value.
Activities of oil companies in the area are now very worrisome, as the fishing occupation is now under threat, because it is seriously affecting the source of livelihood of the people. The fact remains that incessant oil spillage has made fishing difficult. It has also affected the aquatic life.
There is drastic reduction of fishes and fishing activities, which has affected the livelihood of the people. The declining state of the local fishing industry is not acceptable as life is becoming unbearable for the people, thereby increasing hostility and aggressiveness in the region. The problem now is double-barrel: the fishing occupation is in danger and the source of drinking water polluted.
The fishing occupation is not protected as expected by the government, despite the nation’s environmental laws.
The people are frustrated with the situation they find themselves in. In fact, it is now a national concern as some fishermen express their worries. Mr. Preye Oyinebi, a fisherman, in Bayelsa State, narrated his frustration. “I have been a fisherman since my childhood; I was born to parents who were fishermen and also my siblings’ fish. The little western education I had was sponsored with the fishing proceeds my parents got from standard 1-3.
After this, l went back to fishing to start my life as an adult, in my own fishing camp along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. We were happily doing the fishing business and were proud of it, because it was lucrative; we were able to take care of our families conveniently.
“The present development in the region is becoming frustrating by the day. In fact, I am not happy. The oil companies have made life difficult for us as they continue to pollute the environment with oil spillage and the depositing of other toxic materials into the rivers. On several occasions, we have laid complaints to the appropriate authorities about the issue, but no action is carried out to protect our fishing business.”
Oyinebi went further to express his displeasure, “Most of us are leaving the business for other areas to earn a living. This is not good for the profession, because it is a threat to our cultural heritage, as it is gradually ebbing out. It is an indication that the future looks bleak for the Ijaw man’s fishing occupation as it heads into oblivion”.
Braebi Miekumo, a fisherman, from Delta State, stated that, “I have been a fisherman since my childhood, and I am over 60 years of age.
I am really not happy with the disheartening situation of the fishing business we inherited from our great-grand fathers, our hereditary is endangered.
Over the years, various administrations have failed to effectively address the issue of oil spillage by oil companies in our terrain, because their activities have made the waters to be unfishable. Also, these oil companies are not making any frantic effort to reduce the oil spills.”
Miekumo also added that, “I do not have any other occupation to engage myself in other than this. Now, what will be my fate, as my nets and other fishing traps are off the water, due to low output, and life is becoming difficult for me.”
Bodigha Areye, a community leader, explained the fears the people are having as the fishing occupation is on a sharp decline. He also made some appeal to the government.
“Actually, many fishermen are becoming apprehensive about their occupation. The issue is that, the fishermen are not carried along in the enforcement of environmental laws as it concerns their occupation and the aquatic life. Also, oil companies, most times, do not adequately compensate fishermen as they cause oil spillage.
They want the government to provide fishing materials such as nets, hooks, boats, and others. This could be through the poverty alleviation programme of the government,” Areye stated.
Areye further appealed to the government to collaborate with the fishermen to tackle the problem, saying: “The government should through the ministries of Niger Delta Affairs and Environment, also Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), come to our aid, so the people will have hope.”
As the West and Central African countries meet in Abuja to map out ways to address changes in the fishing activities in their countries, concrete policies should be made to protect the fishing occupation. Also, the 10-year strategic plan drawn by the Ministry of Agriculture should include these helpless fishermen.