by ‘Jola Sotubo

In a startling development, suspicion has arisen that a strange specie of fish is about to be introduced into the Nigerian market.

Nigerians consume a lot of fish and this move, if not checked, might eventually lead to unpleasant consequences.

The Federal Department of Fisheries (FDF) has decried the plan by an Asian firm to illegally introduce what it called “a strange fish specie” into the country.

Mrs Foluke Areola, a director of Fisheries at FDF, spoke in Lagos with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

She alleged that the firm had been sending e-mails to fish farmers, informing them of its plan to distribute fingerlings of a specie called “Mekong giant catfish” to Nigerian fish farmers.

“The effect of allowing this specie of unknown origin will be detrimental to the ecosystem, in terms of bio-diversity of our waters and the commercially cultured species in the country.

“Obviously, this is not being planned to go through due process under an import licence and quarantine procedure of the movement of live fish among countries,” Mrs Areola reportedly said.

She added that the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) should be put on the alert to frustrate any attempt to import live fish into the country.

Mrs Areola urged stakeholders not to buy the imported catfish and to look out for those who are trying to import the fish.

“We must all police the importation of this giant fish and report accordingly to ensure that they do not succeed.

“Farmers are also warned not to attempt to culture the catfish,” she said.