Aquatic Resources Quarantine

The aquatic resources arm of NAQS applies sanitary measures to prevent the entry of foreign exotic pests, pathogens and diseases of aquatic resources through international boundaries or by travelers while also preventing their dissemination across, through export trade, by adhering to international standards and protocols under WTO/OIE/SPS agreements through these functions.

• All import/export or trans-shipment of aquatic resources and their products must be declared to the NAQS at the point of entry and exit from the country.
• Regulation and control of all import and export of ornamental/live aquatic resources through licensing of importers and exporters; issuance of health certificates, processing and approving inward and outward permits of live fish and other aquatic resources.
• Verification of import and export permits for aquatic resources, products issued by the Director, Federal Department of Fisheries for the import and export of these products at entry and exit points.
• Control and prevention of illegal trading in endangered or prohibited aquatic species and products to safeguard human and aquatic resource health. All import and export of endangered species must be accompanied by permits of the convention on international trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
• Prevention of the introduction of highly invasive aquatic resources species, aquatic resources diseases/pests and diseases associated with various types of seafood-fish, bivalves. Molluscs, shellfish and crustaceans. This is to ensure the conservation of indigenous aquatic resources and protect human health.
• Ensures regular monitoring and inspection of approved premises with facilities for holding, quarantining an packaging of ornamental/live aquatic resources.
• Conducts disease and pest surveillance of all aquatic resources to detect and monitor the presence and spread of such pathogens.