VZCZCXRO0958
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOS #0398/01 2820716
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 080716Z OCT 08
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0216
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 9866

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000398 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - HANDLE ACCORDINGLY 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/WA 
STATE FOR INR/AA 
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS 
DOC FOR 3130/USFC/OIO/ANESA/DHARRIS 
STATE PASS NSC FOR BOBBY PITTMAN 
STATE PASS USTR FOR USTR AGAMA 
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ 
STATE PASS OPIC FOR ZHAN AND MSTUCKART 
STATE PASS TDA FOR LFITT, PMARIN 
STATE PASS EXIM FOR JRICHTER 
STATE PASS OES FOR HOGAN 
STATE PASS NOAA FOR DKLEMM 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ECON NOAA EFIS SENV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA SURPRISES WITH MODEL PROGRAM FOR SEA 
TURTLE CONSERVATION 
 
1.(U) Summary: On September 25 and 26 inspectors from the 
U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, an arm of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and 
the Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science (OES) visited 
the Nigerian Department of Fisheries and the Nigerian shrimp 
fleet to evaluate compliance with U.S. regulations for Turtle 
Exclusion Devices (TEDs) on shrimp trawlers.  The U.S. team 
was impressed by the Nigerian regulations, inspectors and by 
compliance among commercial shrimpers. The program was 
praised as one of the best the U.S. inspectors had seen 
worldwide and the Nigerians were encouraged to take a 
leadership role in assisting other West African countries to 
adopt TED programs. The Nigerian TED program is an example of 
what Nigerian technocrats and industry are capable of doing, 
despite adverse conditions, if they are given clear 
incentives and effective encouragement.  Nigerian 
interlocutors noted, however, that piracy is increasing in 
territorial waters and hampering industry operations.  End 
Summary. 
 
U.S. Inspectors Rate Nigerian TED Program Highly 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶2. (U) On September 25 and 26 U.S. inspectors from OES and 
NOAA spent two days observing Nigerian inspectors at work on 
vessels from eight different shrimp trawling companies. They 
were accompanied by the Director of the Nigerian Federal 
Department of Fisheries, Sola Amire, the Assistant Director 
Evaristus Edet, the Chief Fisheries Officer, Bola Kupolati, 
and Poloff. The U.S. team was impressed by the Nigerian 
regulations, which enabled the Department of Fisheries to 
fine vessels for infractions of TED regulations without the 
violator having recourse to court action. In the Nigerian 
context, this allows rapid and effective enforcement of 
sanctions against violators and reduces the opportunities for 
corruption. Equally positive was the competence and 
confidence of the Nigerian inspectors, who performed more 
tests than mandated by the United States and clearly 
commanded the respect of the Nigerian shrimp fishers. The 
U.S. team praised the cooperative attitude of the industry 
which was receptive to suggestions. To ensure that the U.S. 
team could observe inspections on working vessels just back 
from trawling and verify that the TEDs were actually in use, 
fleet operators recalled vessels to port, interrupting their 
fishing operations. 
 
¶3. (U) At the end of the inspections, the U.S. team concluded 
that the Nigerian program was one of the best they had seen 
any where in the world. The inspection check list used, they 
said, could serve as a model for other nations. The U.S. team 
urged the Nigerians to take a leadership role in helping 
other West African nations to adopt a TED program. It was 
evident to the U.S. inspectors and Poloff that all Nigerian 
participants welcomed the United States interest in their 
work, and were gratified to receive recognition for their 
achievements. The U.S. team commented to Poloff that this 
contrasted with other countries, where the U.S. inspections 
are sometimes perceived as interference or a burden. 
 
Industry Hampered by Piracy, Poor Infrastructure 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶4. (U) The U.S. team noted that the facilities housing the 
Department of Fisheries in Lagos were the most run-down of 
any they had ever seen, comparing unfavorably with much 
poorer countries. The lack of electric power during the 
entire visit at the facilities underlined the infrastructure 
deficiencies which all industries in Nigeria face. Trawler 
operators and Nigerian Department of Fisheries officials 
stressed that piracy is increasing in Nigerian waters. More 
than 49 incidents of piracy against the shrimp fleet 
including the hijacking of vessels, the shooting of captains 
and crewmen and the pillaging of boats have occurred in the 
first nine months of this year alone. Because of the piracy 
off the Nigerian coast, Nigerian trawler owners are 
encountering increasing difficulty in recruiting and 
retaining crewmen, and cannot risk outfitting their vessels 
 
LAGOS 00000398  002 OF 002 
 
 
with expensive electronic equipment. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Comment: Despite adverse conditions, the Nigerians 
have created a model TED program.  The low-profile shrimp 
industry, lacking the glamour and profits of industrial 
sectors such as oil and natural gas or the prestige of major 
infrastructure projects appears to have avoided unwanted 
attention from the entrenched kleptocracy. In this context, 
U.S. requirements and inspections provided the incentives and 
encouragement for Nigerian technocrats and industry to 
demonstrate their capabilities.    End Comment. 
 
¶6. This cable was cleared by Abuja. 
BLAIR