Cross River fishermen lament deprivation of fishing rights in Calabar waterways

Increasing numbers of fishermen from coastal communities of Cross River State are expressing anger that many of them no longer have access to local rivers where they normally eke out their living.

The fishermen lamented that they are usually blocked by armed Fulani men, including other foreigners who have allegedly bought several sections of the rivers to do large scale fishing.

One fisherman at the Nsidung beach in Calabar South LGA, Ani Eteyen, who said he has been fishing for 30 years, alleged that these foreign fishermen often reach understanding with local community leaders to cordon off certain portions of their rivers for a number of months.

“Sometimes they pay local leaders to fish for as long as three months. During this time, we the local fishermen won’t be allowed to go near such areas,” he alleged.

This development was discussed elaborately on Thursday on Calabar based private radio station, FAD FM, where phone-in callers frowned at activities of the Fulani men.

A local chief from Eniong Abatim in Odukpani LGA in Cross River State, who gave his name as Ita Cobham, explained that these foreigners would often install their fishing nets from as far as the waters at Itu bridge in Akwa Ibom State to far-flung coastal communities in Calabar, and cordon off such massive river miles for themselves without appropriate authorisation.

According to him, they sometimes forcibly fix their nets in these long stretches of water to catch sea foods, including fishes, despite cries from local authorities.

He claimed that each haul could fetch as much as N8 million.

“Additional pain is that they don’t sell these seafoods in local markets, thereby contributing to the food insecurity in the state,” Cobham said.

He appealed to the authorities to ensure that fishing in local waters follow legal processes to avert impending or potential clashes between local fishermen and illegal fishermen.

Commissioner for agriculture and irrigation system, Johnson Ebokpo Jr, expressed surprise and assured that the matter will be investigated.

“I’m aware that foreigners, including Ghanaians, do commercial fishing in the Escravos, Bonny waters in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states. But if such fishing activities extend into our local waters, we will certainly investigate,” he said.