Professor Ikenna Charles Onyema, an advocate for marine conservation, has emphasised the urgent need to address plastic pollution in the country’s waters in order not to cause fish exodus.
Onyema, who made this known during a webinar on the occasion of 2024 World Fish Migration Day organised in Lagos by the Society for Ecological Restoration, UNILAG Student Chapter, recently, highlighted the detrimental impact of plastics on fish migration and proposed solutions such as phasing out single-use plastics, organising community clean-up exercises, and implementing policies against environmentally harmful plastic materials.
The webinar was themed: “Flowing Free.” He stressed the importance of research to develop alternatives to plastic pollution in the environment, especially on the oceans.
Acknowledging Nigeria’s crisis-level plastic pollution, Professor Onyema cited examples from other countries like Japan and the UK where measures to reduce plastic usage have been successful.
He urged Nigerians to opt for reusable items and actively participate in clean-up events while advocating for policy changes.
In response, Prof Excellence Akeredolu, Coordinator of the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) UNILAG Student Chapter, highlighted the significance of the webinar in addressing the devastating impact of plas – tic pollution on fish populations in Nigeria.
He called for increased funding for research to provide alternatives to plastics and emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts to restore the ecological integrity of waterways.
The Society for Ecological Restoration, UNILAG Student Chapter, also engaged Grade 5 pupils from the University of Lagos Staff School to raise awareness about aquatic biodiversity and the threats to fish migration.
The students discussed the reasons for fish migration and the dangers posed by plastic pollution in the aquatic environment.
They encouraged the pupils to reduce plastic usage and properly dispose of plastic waste, while also promoting the reuse and recycling of plastics.
As part of the event, the pupils were provided with drawing materials to express their understanding of fish migration through art.