Bayelsa Restarts Commercial Fish Production at Revived Aquaculture Village

Bayelsa State has commenced fish harvesting at its revived Aquaculture Village in Yenegwe, as Governor Douye Diri says the facility will support job creation, economic diversification and food security.

The governor flagged off the maiden harvest on Tuesday, explaining that the facility had remained inactive for years following a failed concession arrangement. He said his administration terminated the agreement and recovered the asset after earlier efforts, including an expenditure of about 200 million naira, failed to restore operations.

The Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Faith Zibs-Godwin, said the 831-hectare facility has an 80-tank hatchery, 40 nursery ponds, 500 grow-out ponds, a feed mill and a fish processing centre with 30 smoking kilns. She added that the hatchery had produced about 100,000 fish fry, while a 30,000-fish monosex tilapia pilot was also conducted.

Diri said the state plans to develop the fisheries value chain, including processing, transportation and marketing. He also directed the assessment and rehabilitation of access roads to the facility.

The Federal Government’s representative, Professor Busayo Fakinlede, commended the state’s efforts and called on investors to explore aquaculture and maritime opportunities in Bayelsa.

The facility is also expected to provide practical training for students and aspiring fish farmers, while supporting wider fish supply and local economic activities.