In a bid to protect Nigeria’s marine resources from exploitation, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is set to partner with Norway on satellite surveillance of Nigerian waters to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing within our waterways.
The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola CON, who is the leading figure representing Nigeria in the proposed partnership welcomed the Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria Mr. Svein Baera, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
In his remarks, the Minister said “the protection of our waters is an environmental responsibility and an economic imperative, and we must protect our Marine resources from exploitation by external exploiters so as to safeguard the livelihoods of our fishermen and ensure that our marine resources contribute meaningfully to National Development”.
In his speech, Mr. Baera said “the visit was to introduce the Blue Justice initiative, which provides participating countries with free satellite-based Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel-tracking data through the Blue Justice Ocean Surveillance Programme”.
He explained that “the programme would provide Nigeria with both real-time and historical vessel-tracking data, enabling relevant authorities to monitor maritime activities, investigate suspicious movements and identify patterns associated with illegal fishing”.
The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms. Michelle Hovi, the Second Secretary (Political and Project Development).
Others in attendance were; Mrs. Fatima Mahmood the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, Professor Busayo Fakinlede.
