Seaweed invasion: Lagos boat operators, fishermen, lament losses

Boat operators and fishermen in the Ijede area of Ikorodu and Tarzan in Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State have lamented the losses they are incurring as a result of the invasion of the water by seaweed or hyacinth.

According to them, the seaweed has taken over the lagoon, adding that the greatest threat posed by the seaweed had been the damage to the propellers, impellers and gearboxes of their boats.

Apart from the threat to the engines, the fishermen say whenever the seaweed takes over the lagoon, they are unable to go out fishing for fear of losing their nets to the plants.

An outboard engineer and boat operator, Mr Rasheed Fashina, said the seaweed had caused many of the outboard engines to get damaged, noting that when the engines get entangled with the plants, they stop pumping water.

The PUNCH, December 21, 2018

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