January 17, 2008

Asian shrimp farms meet resistance in Nigeria

Asian efforts to start shrimp farms in Nigeria would ruin the environment, according to This Day online, an African newspaper.

The paper in its analysis highlighted countries where shrimp farming has resulted in massive pollution to lands surrounding mangrove swamps and cultivated lands, particularly in Asia and Latin America.

Fearing Asian shrimp businesses would export environmental pollution to the country, the paper has called for the government to discourage shrimp farming businesses in the nation.

According to the paper, Asian shrimp businesses are frantically starting shrimp farms in the south-eastern and south-western parts of Nigeria, spearheaded by Sulalanka, a Sri Lankan company.

The paper alleged that Asian shrimp farms would pollute and damage mangrove swamps and when the land is unusable, move on into new ones.

Two previous attempts by aid organisations and oil companies have failed on account of pressure from non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations in Nigeria.

The first attempt was made by the Nigerian president who ordered the ministries of Agriculture and Environment to give special encouragement to industrial shrimp farmers, especially those exporting shrimp to the US, the paper said.

After the first attempt was halted, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Shell Petroleum Development Company started another attempt to start industrial shrimp farming. They also stopped on account of pressure by non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations in Nigeria.

Having failed in the Niger Delta region the Asians now prefer the south-east and south-west Regions of Nigeria, the paper said.