The Convener of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, has urged governors of Nigeria’s littoral states to align with the African Union’s Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture (PFRS).

Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa at the weekend, Kiyaramo said strategic investment in marine and aquatic resources is crucial for sustainable development and long-term prosperity.

He said 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.

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 (CAADP) and the National Blue Economy Agenda.

He 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.

The former Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa State Government commended Governor Douye Diri for his leadership in advancing Nigeria’s blue economy.

He described Bayelsa as a pacesetter and urged other coastal governors to emulate the state’s approach.

Kiyaramo explained that the African Union adopted the PFRS in 2014 as a strategic framework for fisheries and aquaculture development across the continent.

He said the framework recognises fisheries as a major pillar of agriculture under CAADP and the Malabo Declaration.

According to him, the policy seeks to eliminate overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing through science-based management.

It also promotes fish production as a tool for ending hunger and improving nutrition across Africa.

The framework supports artisanal fishers, particularly women and youths, while encouraging intra-African fish trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Kiyaramo added that it promotes climate adaptation and environmental protection for coastal communities.

He noted that integrating fisheries into agriculture would help states achieve CAADP targets, including six percent annual agricultural GDP growth.

It would also create jobs, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen food systems.

Highlighting the South-South’s advantages, Kiyaramo said the region accounts for more than 60 percent of Nigeria’s coastline.

He said the region possesses extensive estuaries, mangroves, and inland waterways that can drive economic transformation.

He urged governors to allocate at least 10 percent of agriculture budgets to fisheries and aquaculture development.

Such investments, he said, should include aquaculture, fish processing, cold-chain infrastructure, and marine tourism.

He also advocated formalising fishing communities and tackling illegal fishing activities.

According to him, climate-resilient infrastructure, especially for women in coastal communities, should receive priority attention.

He said these measures would reduce poverty, curb rural migration, and create sustainable coastal livelihoods.

Kiyaramo stressed that the initiatives would also advance Nigeria’s National Blue Economy Roadmap and climate commitments.

Summing up his appeal, he said, “Treat the ocean like farmland. Manage it, invest in it, and protect the people who depend on it, just as the PFRS and CAADP recommend.”