The convener of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable, Piriye Kiyaramo, has urged coastal governors to domesticate the African Union Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Mr Kiyaramo made the call while speaking with journalists in Yenagoa on Sunday.

The AU-IFRS is a continental roadmap designed to guide sustainable fisheries management and responsible aquaculture development. It aims to eliminate overfishing, combat illegal fishing, and boost the intra-African fish trade.

Mr Kiyaramo said strategic investment in marine and aquatic resources is crucial for sustainable development and long-term prosperity. He explained that effective management of fisheries and aquaculture would improve food security, create jobs, strengthen climate resilience, and secure livelihoods for present and future generations.

“The PFRS provides a clear roadmap to transform fisheries and aquaculture into engines of food security, employment, and climate resilience,” he said.

Mr Kiyaramo noted that South-South governors are uniquely positioned to harness the region’s oceans, rivers, and coastal ecosystems for economic growth.

According to him, doing so will also support Nigeria’s commitments under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme and the National Blue Economy Agenda.

Mr Kiyaramo urged state governments to prioritise support for artisanal fishers, women, and coastal communities. He also called for blue economy investments to be integrated into state development plans.

Mr Kiyaramo, a former senior special assistant to the Bayelsa government, commended Governor Douye Diri for his leadership in advancing Nigeria’s blue economy.

(NAN)