December 05, (THEWILL) – Following the killing of an endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin at Andoni beach in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, by a local fisherman on Monday, the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), the oldest multi-sectoral tourism trade body in Nigeria, condemned the unfortunate incident.
However, the body expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Rivers State government to conserve endangered marine species, promote sustainable blue tourism, and support coastal communities.
ATPN’s newly elected National Vice President, covering the South-South zone, Chief Anthony Tosan Prest, expressed his worries over a viral video of the killing of an endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin in Rivers State while speaking with newsmen in Benin City on Tuesday, noting that “the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) is keen on partnering with governors of the South-South region to protect the endangered marine resources, particularly the endangered species in the area.”
He emphasised that conserving these endangered marine wildlife was crucial for the sake of promoting eco-tourism in the region, reiterating that the presence of the Atlantic humpback dolphins, which are endemic to the West African coast, would attract tourists to the South-South region, supporting local businesses and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth population in coastal communities.
He noted that ATPN aims to work with the governors in the South to harness and develop blue tourism potential, which would eventually boost food security and fisheries management, which are key factors in the blue economy. He pointed out that the Atlantic humpback dolphins found on the West African coast play a vital role in maintaining healthy fish populations and supporting commercial and artisanal fisheries.
Chief Tosan Prest, a seasoned entrepreneur in tourism with expertise in blue tourism development and promotion said by collaborating with the governors of the South-South region on the development of Blue Tourism, ATPN hopes to promote sustainable tourism practices, protect marine wildlife, and support local communities in the South-South region.
“The proposed collaboration between the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) and the Rivers State Government, on conservation of marine biodiversity to develop and promote blue tourism would yield enormous benefits that would lead to the creation of new job opportunities in the tourism and conservation sectors. It will also encourage sustainable tourism practices that would generate significant revenue for coastal communities and the state government.
“Conservation of marine biodiversity would promote Blue Tourism activities, contributing to sustainable economic growth in Rivers State and the entire region. Helping to protect endangered species, such as the Atlantic humpback dolphin, would preserve marine ecosystems.
“So, collaborating with the Rivers State Government and other states in the South-South would go a long way in promoting eco-friendly tourism practices, thereby reducing the impact of tourism on the already degraded Niger Delta environment. Collaboration leads to meaningful engagement with policymakers. Professional tourism organisations like ours can help safeguard marine habitats, such as mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds, fostering community engagement and participation in marine conservation efforts.
“ATPN and the Rivers State Government can work together to preserve the cultural heritage of coastal communities, promote conservation education and create awareness about the importance of marine wildlife conservation and sustainable blue tourism practices
“This anticipated collaboration can lead to the development of tourism infrastructure, such as hotels, resorts and recreational facilities. ATPN and the Rivers State Government can work together to improve marine transportation, making it easier for tourists to access the coastal areas which would enhance conservation infrastructure, such as marine protected areas and research centres”, Chief Anthony Tosan Prest explained.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
