World Aquaculture Society Calls for U.S. to End Ban on Nigerian Smoked Catfish

The World Aquaculture Society has called on the United States to lift its restriction on smoked catfish exports from Nigeria.

Olarenwaju Badmus, the society’s global director and chief executive officer of Aquaglobal Inter Solutions, said the ban is affecting Nigerian fish processors, farmers and traders who depend on the export market.

Badmus made the call while presenting a paper titled *“Trade Restrictions and Livelihoods: Evaluating Economic Effects of the U.S. Ban on Nigerian Smoked Catfish Exports”* at the 156th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society in Columbus, Ohio.

He said the restriction has reduced foreign exchange earnings from aquaculture and made it harder to formalise and expand the sector.

Badmus urged U.S. regulators and trade officials to work with Nigerian authorities on compliance, standards and technical requirements needed to restore market access.

He also commended the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture for submitting the Sanitary Requirements Template to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The presentation stressed the need to improve the quality and safety of Nigerian smoked catfish to strengthen its competitiveness in international markets.