Training of manpower in the marine fishing industry of Nigeria

Although specialised agencies of ‘\u27the United Nations Organisation have assisted in the development of the Nigerian fishing industry, this assistance has been directed mainly to the organisation and management of traditional fishermen of the riverine villages whilst the less labour intensive and more productive industrial fishing at sea has been left to the exploitation of foreigners. More than 160 trawlers, some being more than 3,500 CRT, currently operate under licence in the exclusive economic zone of Nigeria and not one of them is manned entirely by Nigerians. The subject of manpower development in the sea-fishing industry of Nigeria is therefore one that is in need of urgent attention and so the purposes of this project are to direct attention to it, to the main problems associated with it and to offer some constructive suggestions concerning it. In the achievement of these ends, the author examines the international provisions for training, the relevant laws and regulations of Nigeria, the School of Fisheries already established in Nigeria and the general maritime training in the country. Using his experience of the training systems of some other countries, he then highlights the lessons to be learned and proposes possible solutions to the main problems identified