The Akwa Ibom Government has been advised to close ranks with the fishing communities for the purpose of ensuring increased sea food production in the state. 
A lecturer in the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Dr Mfon Udoh, gave the advice in his office while commenting on the possibilities of bringing down the current high cost of fish and crayfish in the state. 
Udoh emphasized the need for the state government to procure synthetic nets, fibre boats with engines and other essential fishing inputs for onward distribution to fish farmers at subsidized prices. 
The fishing inputs, he said, should be given to the fishermen at 30 per cent cost while the state government should bear the burden of 70 per cent to serve as an encouragement for them to put in their best. 
While calling for the provision of storage facilities in the fishing communities for the preservation of fish and crayfish, Udoh stressed the need for government to establish migrant schools and provide them with teachers for education of the fishermen’s children. 
The lecturer also called for a strong policy framework by the state government to regulate the size of nets used by the fishermen in their fishing expeditions to ensure safety and regeneration of some species of fish in the high sea. 
He frowned at the application of tinny nets on fishing expedition as it could lead to massive extinction of certain species of fish in the high sea, advising that such practice should be discouraged for a better future to be guaranteed. 
Udoh also called on fish farmers in the state to constitute themselves into cooperative societies to enable them to draw down credit facilities from financial institutions for the purpose of improving on their business. 
Commenting on the operation of aquaculture in the state, Udoh specifically advised the intending operators to always request for the supply of post fingerling and as well seek for professional advice to guard against being duped by people of questionable characters. 
He recalled with regret how somebody who was interested in developing fish pond was defrauded by being supplied with 20,000 tadpoles of toads in the place of fingerlings at the cost of N30.00 each, advising those interested in setting up fish ponds to have passion in the business of aquaculture to ensure success. 
Describing aquaculture as a serious and non-contract business venture, Udoh advised those wishing to establish fish ponds to first of all embark on market survey to guard against loss in the process of supplying the products to customers. 
He called on the officials in the State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sufficiency to assist in enlightening the public in the process of establishing fish ponds in addition to sourcing for ready market as an encouragement for fish farmers to contribute to increase fish protein content in the state. 
The university lecturer declared the resolve of his professional colleagues in the university to assist the state government and interested members of Akwa Ibom public in the establishment of fish ponds that would stand the test of time in the development and growth of aquaculture in the state. 

Source: http://www.pioneernewsonline.com/news/university-don-counsels-aksg-on-fish-production

Over pampering of our business would make them ever dependent

Let the price keep rising the opportunity woild become more clear to more people to join the business

mrvitalis:
Over pampering of our business would make them ever dependent

Let the price keep rising the opportunity would become more clear to more people to join the business

I can agree with your point. The state does have a role on two fronts being infrastructure like fishing terminals and electricity, safety from sea robbers and securing our territorial waters from illegal fishers in Ocean. I don't like idea of over subsidizing their business because when you start t never stops.

The main disadvantages to these local fisher men have is they still use tiny canoes to fish. If credit was easier to get maybe they could go buy bigger vessels. I would say something between under 9 meters. It's gets a bit expensive after that. The other thing to consider is processing these fish.

A lecturer with a diffrence, my very good friend Dr. Mfon Udoh, always passionate about fish farming.
Keep the good work up

imhere:
A lecturer with a diffrence, my very good friend Dr. Mfon Udoh, always passionate about fish farming.
Keep the good work up

I've read a lot of his stuff. I will direct his suggestions to relevant politicians in state and federal government. They brag about fish production on Ibom Deep seaport website and Akwa Ibom state website but don't seem to have policy on improving it. A simple email can get these guys to work considering it's election season.