Nigeria's fishing industry is facing a deepening crisis as more than 80% of fishing vessels have been forced out of operation due to soaring diesel prices, leading to a sharp decline in fish supply and rising market prices.

Industry stakeholders, including members of the Nigerian Trawlers Owners Association (NITOA) , say the surge in fuel costs has made fishing operations unsustainable, pushing companies to halt activities and dock their vessels.

At the Ijora Fish Market in Lagos , traders reported a significant drop in fish supplied by local trawlers, worsening scarcity and driving up prices across markets nationwide.

According to Retired Navy Captain Oladele Robinson , National Executive Secretary of the Fisheries Cooperatives Federation of Nigeria , both industrial and artisanal fishing sectors are being severely impacted.

He explained that artisanal fishers depend on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) , while industrial trawlers run entirely on diesel, also known as Automated Gas Oil (AGO) .

"At times, operators go to sea but are unable to secure enough catch to justify the cost of fuel, a situation that has driven up the prices of fish and other seafood."

Sources within NITOA revealed that diesel prices have surged by over 100% , rising from about ₦900 per litre (≈ $0.60) to between ₦1,800 and ₦2,000 per litre (≈ $1.20–$1.33) .

"The problem is AGO, which is diesel. The vessels run 100 per cent on AGO. Right now, the prices are so high that you can't even think of fuelling a vessel for a 50-day trip . The vessel will come back at a very big loss."

Operators say the spike in fuel costs has pushed operational expenses far beyond sustainable levels.

"What has happened is that operational costs have gone far beyond what companies can handle. That's why operators have brought their trawlers back to the jetty rather than remain at sea and continue recording losses."

The crisis has placed the industry in what stakeholders describe as a “critical situation,” with companies struggling to stay afloat.

“The implication is that trawlers cannot operate under these conditions. The industry is in a critical situation. Companies are going aground.”

Beyond business losses, the situation poses serious risks to national food security. Fish remains one of the most affordable protein sources for millions of Nigerians.

"If vessels do not go to sea, there will be a shortage of fish. If vessels are not running, where do the seafarers go? These vessels are meant to be at sea, not tied up at the harbor."

Experts warn that nearly 10,000 jobs across the fishing value chain could be at risk if urgent intervention is not implemented.

Part of the diesel price surge has been linked to global market disruptions, including geopolitical tensions involving Iran , which continue to affect fuel supply and pricing.

With no immediate alternative fuel options available, stakeholders are calling for swift government action to stabilize prices and prevent a total collapse of the sector.

The fuel crisis caused the sinking of the fishing industry, the increase in employment, and the crisis of food supply.

The impact of the discontinuation of more than 80% of the cargo ships and lack of fish in the high-rise buildings of the Dockyard has affected the employment of about 10,000 people.

ナイジェリアのfishery industry is facing a profound crisis and is facing the crisis directly, and the ディーゼル価格の久动により is 80% or more The operation of fishing boats has stopped, the supply of fish has been greatly reduced, and the market price has increased.

**Navigation Ship Owners Association (NITOA) **Nano Aircraft Industry Related Personnel, Fuel Tanker It is impossible to maintain business operations urgently, and business activities are stopped, and ships are moored.

There has been a significant decrease in the supply of fish at the Largo Fish Market and the Jigen Fishing Boat Shipしていると report されており, the country's な deficiencies と価格高丁き出こしている.

Retired Navy Captain Arukari・ロ, Chief of Staff of the Nairobi Fisheries Cooperative Allianceビンソンによると, industrial および zero fine fishery の両方が has been deeply influenced by けている.

He, the small fisherman's company, the one that relies on the company , and the one-party industrial companyロール Ship は completely にディーゼル, すなわちAutomatic vehicle oil (AGO) **で佳烍していると Descriptionした.

"Tokyo, the operator, the sea, the fuel, the fuel, the regularization, the catch, the guarantee "

NITOA related people, によると, ディーゼル価格は100% or more increaseし, about **₦900/リットル (about $0. 60)から₦1,800～₦2,000／リットル (approximately $1.20～$1.33) **にまで高腾している.

"The problem is AGO, and the ship is 100% AGO. It is very high now. 50 days of sailing and fuel replenishmentせん.

The operator's fuel cost is high and the fuel cost is high. The operator's performance is high and the level is high.

「何が起きたかというと、云営コストが公司が対応I love you so much .

Those involved in the crisis and the industry are in danger of being warned of "serious situations".

"The situation of the business is the business of the ship. The crisis of the industry is the crisis. The business is the business."

The company's losses and the state's food safety guarantees are profound.鱼は多くのナイジェリア人にとってmostも手企なタンパク元の一つである.

"The ship is out of the sea, and the fish is out of stock. The ship is moving, and the crew is moving."のでしょうか．

専门家は, hayūな対応がtakeられなければ, fishery no.のバリューチェーンall About 10,000のhiringがriskにさらされるpossibilityがあるとWARNINGしている.

ディーゼル価格の成の一causeは、イランを patrolるThe tension of geopolitics をContains the world’s な market and chaos にあるとされている.

The selection of alternative fuels, the stabilization of the stakeholders, the rapid intervention of the government, and the avoidance of the collapse of the industry.

🇨🇳Simplified Chinese Translation

The fuel crisis has devastated Nigeria's fishing industry, doubling costs and threatening jobs and food supplies.

Soaring diesel prices have forced more than 80% of trawlers to cease operations, triggering a fish shortage and threatening approximately 10,000 jobs.

Nigeria's fishing industry is facing an escalating crisis as soaring diesel prices have forced more than 80% of fishing vessels to cease operations, leading to a sharp decline in fish supplies and driving up market prices.

Industry figures, including members of the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA), say that soaring fuel costs have made fishing operations unsustainable, forcing companies to cease operations and dock their vessels in port.

At the Ijora fish market in Lagos , vendors reported a significant decrease in the supply of fish from local trawlers, leading to nationwide shortages and price increases.

Oladele Robinson , national executive secretary of the Nigerian Fisheries Cooperative Federation and a retired naval captain , said that both industrial and small-scale fisheries have been severely affected.

He explained that small-scale fishermen rely on premium gasoline (PMS) , while industrial trawlers rely entirely on diesel, or **automatic gas-fuel (AGO)**, to operate.

"Sometimes, operators go out to sea but fail to catch enough fish to justify the fuel costs, which has driven up the prices of fish and other seafood."

According to sources within NITOA , diesel prices have risen by more than 100% , from approximately ₦900 per liter (about $0.60) to ₦1,800 to ₦2,000 per liter (about $1.20–$1.33).

"The problem is AGO, which is diesel fuel. Ships are completely dependent on AGO to operate. With prices so high now, you can't even consider refueling for a 50-day voyage . The ships will suffer huge losses when they return."

Operators say soaring fuel prices have pushed operating costs far beyond what they can afford.

"What's happening is that operating costs have far exceeded what businesses can afford. That's why operators are keeping their trawlers docked at the pier instead of continuing to incur losses at sea."

Industry insiders warn that the crisis has pushed the industry into a "critical state."

“Under these circumstances, trawlers cannot operate. The industry is in crisis. Businesses are in trouble.”

In addition to business losses, this situation also poses a serious threat to national food security. Fish remains one of the most affordable sources of protein for millions of Nigerians.

“If ships don’t go to sea, there will be a shortage of fish. If ships don’t operate, where will the seafarers go? These ships should be sailing at sea, not docked in port.”

Experts warn that without immediate intervention, approximately 10,000 jobs across the fisheries value chain could be at risk.

The surge in diesel prices is partly due to global market turmoil, including geopolitical tensions involving Iran .

In the absence of alternative fuels, industry stakeholders are calling on the government to take swift action to stabilize prices and prevent a complete collapse of the industry.