Lagos, Nov. 1, 2023 – The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has held a three-day training on biofouling management for coastal states in Africa.
The training was held as part of efforts to explore the newest technologies in biofouling and also in compliance with the rules of International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Speaking at the opening session on Monday, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the training would showcase the newest technologies, their application including cost-effective practices and related benefits for the environment as well as efficiency of shipping.
“The importance of protecting and conserving our seas, oceans and their inhabitants cannot be overemphasized as we are intrinsically linked to them and their wellbeing reflects our own wellbeing too.
“Shipping is at the crux of global trading and the economy with about 90 percent of world trade and commerce is facilitated through shipping.
“Studies, however, revealed that ships serve as over a time have channel for transportation of harmful non-indigenous Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS).
“These organisms attach themselves to the outer surface and niche areas of a ship, and are then translocated from one ecoregion to another.
“The process by which these organisms attach themselves to the ship and other surfaces is referred to as Biofouling.”
The NIMASA boss emphasized that shipping is a key component of the country’s import and export activities, “but it inevitably exposed the nation to threats of the IAS transfer into our territorial waters.”
Jamoh shared a quote, “a healthy ocean is a healthy future” to distill the essence of the workshop on Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (TEST).
While welcoming all participants to the workshop, he advised foreign delegates to explore and enjoy the fascinating sights of the coastal city of Lagos.
Dr. Jose Matheickal, the Director and Head of Department of Partnerships and Projects in IMO, said IMO was excited that NIMASA has taken the lead in the strategic MTCC Africa training on TEST Biofouling in Nigeria
“We have been encouraging more women to participate in the sector and we are very excited to find African Women in Maritime (WIMAFRICA) Nigeria and other women groups emerging in the maritime space,” he said. (GBN)
