Rising diesel costs cripple fishing as 80 percent of vessels stop work
Rising diesel prices have crippled Nigeria’s fishing industry, leaving more than 80 percent of trawler vessels grounded. A visit to the Ijora Fish Market in Lagos showed a sharp drop in fish supplied by Nigerian trawlers, leading to scarcity and higher prices for consumers. Retired Navy Captain Oladele Robinson, National Executive Secretary of the Fisheries Cooperatives Federation of Nigeria, said both artisanal and industrial operators are badly hit by the soaring cost of fuel. He explained that small scale fishers rely on petrol PMS to power their boats, while industrial trawlers depend entirely on diesel AGO. Many now go to sea and return without enough catch to cover fuel costs, making trips unsustainable. Robinson said this situation is driving up the prices of fish and other seafood across markets. Sources close to the Nigerian Trawlers Owners Association NITOA said diesel […]
