Seven experienced fisheries professionals from Nigeria were admitted as new members at the Mundus maris General Assembly in March this year. They have a wide range of backgrounds and live in different coastal states of the country.
Improved kiln for food drying to reduce post harvest losses and provide safe fish and other food for customers and income for processors
Their profiles range from postharvest improvements of fisheries catches and aquaculture products to management challenges in the sector’s public service and gender issues.
Organised by Prof. Stella Williams and Dr. Ayojesutomi Abiodun-Solanke an onboarding meeting ‘Meet and Greet’ was convened on 8 May 2025. All new members were welcomed and could outline again their backgrounds and expectations. It became quickly evident that the thematic and geographical mix of the group holds excellent potential to advance the objectives of Mundus maris as adapted to the Nigerian context. The group discussed in detail their different proposals for what each existing and new member could contribute with emphasis on judicious use of the complementarities of their skills and experiences.
The meeting ended with agreement on a specific work programme focused on the following objectives:
- Advocacy and support for Value-Added Fish Products in Nigerian Fisheries
- Investing in Ocean Literacy with emphasis on Capacity Building, Effective Journalism, and Advocacy with a focus on this year’s UN motto for World Ocean Day: “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us” – World Ocean Day will be celebrated in at least two places in the country
- Working with coastal communities affected by water hyacinth by providing them with valuable skills in sustainable utilization, particularly in its conversion to biofuel and crafts.
- Strengthening capacities for high quality academic work within the group.
Picture showing members and collaborators of Mundus maris in Nigeria during a workshop on using a newly introduced kiln for safe food drying. Photo courtesy Ayojesutomi Abiodun-Solanke
This augurs well for a significant up-tick of activities in Nigeria, building and expanding on the on-going regular collaboration with Fish Party and other initiatives.