The contributions of fisheries to the Nation's economy are significant in terms of :
1. Employment
2. Income generation
3. Poverty alleviation
4. Foreign exchange earnings
5. Provisions of raw materials for animal feed industry, etc.
It is estimated that over 2 million Nigerians are actively engaged in primary and secondary fisheries operations such as fisher folks, fish farmers, fish processers, marketers, operators, on board industrial fishing fleet, terminal/jetties operators, industrial fishing fleet, net-makers, etc. the fisheries sub-sectors is estimated to have a value of N143.33 billion contributing 3-4 % to the GDP. Given Nigeria vast capacity for fish production, especially from aquaculture, this could be doubled in ten years to include more than a million tons of fish export.
Fisheries also occupy a significant position in the primary sector, providing direct employment for over a million people and contributing about 50% of the animal protein intake of the over 150 million population. The FAO (food & agriculture Org.) estimated that 50% of fish consumed is catfish and farm raised fish. Global capture fisheries and aquaculture production accounts for 15% of all animal protein produced and consumed globally.
Health Benefits of Fish
There are several evidences suggesting that fish can play an important role in the following areas:
1. Maternal, foetal and post-natal nutrition: An adequate amount of essential fatty acids (EFA) is important to health (i.e. reduces blood pressure, risk of coronary heart disease and possible anticancer effects). Some studies showed that fish and fish oil consumption significantly improve the outcome of pregnancy and infant development.
2. Eating of fish two or three times a week is thus encouraged as part of a healthy balanced diet both for child bearing women and the family at large.
3. Also called "brain food," fish is also rich in potassium and phosphorus required for our growing kids and the entire family.
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