Varsity Don Canvases Inclusion of Aquaculture in School Curriculum

A Professor of Aquaculture and Fish Nutrition, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Science, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Morenike Adewolu has called on the government to ensure that that Aquaculture is included in the primary and secondary schools curriculum saying the move, aside just educating the children, will also have a positive effect on the parents, illiterates and community at large.

Adewolu who made this call, recently, at the 62nd inaugural lecture series of the institution, titled, ‘Feed the Fish: Feed the Nation’, also stressed the need for government to support research in production of fish feeds from locally available feed ingredients to replace expensive imported fish meal and fish oil.

She expressed concern that the country, like many other developing countries, is faced with the problem of under-feeding which becomes intense; and malnutrition, as the cost of living increases.

To end this problem, the don said Aquaculture has a role to play by providing fish which are usually rich n protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and mineral to people.

According to her, “there is need for ore realistic and rigorous approach to the growth of Aquaculture in the country. This can only be achieved by paying attention to fish-feed industry in Nigeria which currently is in infancy. Its growth will give rise to the development of aquaculture.”

Adewolu listed some limitations to aquaculture to include environmental degradation, reduced water quality, diseases, increase in fish feed price due to high price of fish meal and lack of governance and regulation in fish production, lack of access to financial and social assistance, noting that if these are not addressed it will hinder its successful expansion.