Former President, Women In Maritime Association, (WIMA) Nigeria, Mrs. Rollens Macfoy has expressed deep concerns over the collapse of trawler operations in the nation’s fishing sub sector urging the government to intervene in reviving the business for economic growth.
Macfoy, a frontline manning agent consultant and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer , Ocean Deep Services Limited further urged the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, to examine the difficult economic conditions affecting Nigeria’s fishing sub‑sector, citing the collapse of many trawler operations.
Macfoy said this in an interview with DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA, on Wednesday in Lagos, even as she described the situation facing trawler operators as alarming , pathetic and called for federal government intervention to restore the fishing industry.
She alleged that foreign trawlers are operating in Nigeria’s territorial waters and taking large catches that are depleting various fish species.
The expert reiterated that the fishing sub‑sector has the potential to boost exports and create substantial employment, and she urged the Oyetola‑led ministry to provide an enabling environment for the industry to recover.
According to her, the high cost of diesel and inconsistent government policies have continued to hinder trawler operators.
“Our fishing industry is dying. The government should review the sector urgently for revamping,” she said.
“People in the business understand the key issues. The minister should engage stakeholders in a think‑tank discussion and present their concerns to the presidency. There is nothing that cannot be solved. This industry can generate significant revenue. I would not be surprised to see vessels from other African countries fishing in our waters if this situation continues.”
On the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), Macfoy criticized current policy measures aimed at supporting indigenous shipowners and instead called for a maritime bank to offer loans at single‑digit interest rates.
She said a dedicated maritime bank would help shipowners access finance for vessel acquisition, adding that high interest rates on loans are unsustainable for operators in the shipping sub‑sector.
Recall that trawler owners recently warned that many fishing operations have collapsed because of the high cost of diesel; more than 90% of companies involved in trawler operations have reportedly shut down.
