NON-HYDROCARBON RESOURCES (NHR) DEPARTMENT

The NHR department has a specialized function, which is to explore and exploit non-oil marine resources in the Joint Development Zone. These marine resources can be broadly categorized into living and non-living resources.

A narrower categorization is fisheries resources, plant resources and other elements or mineral resources.

In order to fulfill its mandate the department has sub-divided been the following Units.

FISHERIES UNIT:

This Unit has a broad function but its primary function is to exploit and conserve all living resources that may be found in the JDZ with emphasis on fish. The fisheries unit thus

has the function of licensing and regulating the exploitation of fisheries and plant

resources in a sustainable manner.

The regulatory tools are:

• The Marine establishing a database of the total marine system of the JDZ as well as producing the relevant tax laws, profit sharing ratios, regulations etc. Monitor licensees through surveillance so as to ensure that they adhere to the regulations in the Zone and at the same time conducting security surveillance to safe guard against illegal trawling and piracy in the Zone.
• also while keeping a close surveillance on the JDZ to ensure that all operators are keeping to regulations and also to keep watch over the Zone to ensure that illegal trawling is kept to the barest minimum if not completely eradicated.

MINERAL RESOURCES UNIT:

The primary function of this Unit is to develop the non-oil minerals sector of the Joint Development Zone in an environmentally friendly manner and that will not hinder fisheries and oil and gas exploration activities.

VISION FOR NON-HYDROCARBON RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT IN THE JOINT DEVELOPMENT ZONE

The sustainable development of the non-hydrocarbon resources in the Joint Development Zone in line with international best practices for commercial and economic gains for the benefit of citizens of Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome & Principe in particular and Africa in general.

NON-HYDROCARBON RESOURCES POTENTIALS OF THE JDZ

• The International Commission on the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) has identified that the annual catch of Yellowfin, Skipjack and Bigeye taken off the West Coast of Africa is close to 250,000 tonnes.
• The available pelagic resources in the Gulf of Guinea to name a few are Yellowfin tuna (thunnus albacares), Skipjack Tuna (katswonus pelamis), Bigeye (thunnus obesus).
•  Over 150 fish species have been identified in the Zone.
•  The JDZ water temperature is excellent for survival of tuna larvae and the Zone is identified as an all season spawning area for Yellowfin Tuna which can be commercially exploited.

Thunnus albacares – Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus obesus – Bigeye Tuna

Thunnus – Skipjack Tuna

STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE NON-HYDROCARBON RESOURCES SECTOR

1. FISHERIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL DATA COLLECTION:

The JDA in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Government has conducted wet and dry season Marine Environmental Surveys of Bottom Benthic Fauna, selected Physical and Chemical Compounds and Fisheries Survey in The Nigeria – Sao Tome and

Principe Joint Development Zone In 2011 and 2012 respectively, however, JDA is working on make the data even more robust.

2. ISSUANCE OF JDZ FISHING LICENSE:

Since 2010, JDA had been granted approval by the Joint Ministerial Council to grant JDZ Fishing Licenses to investors. in the Joint Development Zone.

In addition to the foregoing, are the mid and long term value adding and fisheries infrastructure development opportunities also available to investors. Namely, development of canning, cold storage facilities, construction and operation of a dedicated fisheries harbor. It is envisaged that the harbor will be a hub for fisheries and fisheries related activities for the entire Gulf of Guinea Region.

The just concluded JDA Workshop on Maritime Policing, Security and Development of the Non-Hydrocarbon Resources in the JDZ held 5th -8th May, 2014 in Sao Tome drew stakeholders and participants from many diverse backgrounds and areas of endeavors. It sensitized them on the various business potentials in the Zone and highlighted the critical need for provision of adequate policing and security measures in the JDZ in order to ensure investor confidence.

MILESTONES

2009:

JMC granted JDA approval to grant JDZ Fishing Licenses

2010:

Commencement of collaboration between JDA and the Royal Norwegian Government with training of eight (8) JDA staff in Bergen, Norway.

2011:

Marine Environmental Surveys of Bottom Benthic Fauna, selected Physical and Chemical Compounds and Fisheries Survey in The Nigeria – Sao Tome and

Principe Joint Development Zone – Wet Season

2012:

• Submission of Marine Environmental Surveys of Bottom Benthic Fauna, selected Physical and Chemical Compounds and Fisheries Survey in The Nigeria – Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Zone – Wet Season Report by the Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway.
• Marine Environmental Surveys of Bottom Benthic Fauna, selected Physical and Chemical Compounds and Fisheries Survey in The Nigeria – Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Zone – Dry Season

2013:

Training of four (4) JDA staff in Fisheries Management.

2014:

• JDA conducted in collaboration with Idealmark Ventures the Workshop on Maritime Policing , Security and the Development of Non Hydrocarbon Resources in the JDZ held in Sao Tome 5 – 8 may 2014, whose theme   was: “Creating   an enabling environment for the development of resources in the  JDZ”.
• Participation of three (3) JDA staff in 2014 Norwegian Oil Spill Control Association, oil on water exercise in Bergen, Norway.