Nigeria’s shrimp industry has received a significant boost as the United States intensifies its enforcement of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in shrimp fishing, a move that has sidelined non-compliant nations while opening greater opportunities for countries like Nigeria.
Industry stakeholders say the development could strengthen Nigeria’s position in the $53 billion global shrimp market, provided the country maintains strict adherence to international fishing standards.
The U.S. government, through the State Department and NOAA Fisheries, enforces Section 609 of its federal law, requiring shrimp-exporting countries to prove compliance with marine conservation regulations.
Central to this is the mandatory installation of TEDs—grid-like devices fixed into shrimp trawl nets that allow turtles and other large marine animals to escape without affecting shrimp harvests.
Failure to comply has proven costly for major players. India, one of the world’s largest shrimp exporters, lost an estimated $500 million over five years due to U.S. restrictions, according to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
Earlier this year, Peru also faced a suspension of its wild-caught shrimp exports after being flagged for gaps in sea turtle protection.
Unlike many West African nations, Nigeria has successfully met U.S. requirements in recent years. In 2024 alone, 23 Nigerian trawlers were inspected and certified as TED-compliant, placing the country ahead of regional competitors.
“Nigeria is the only West African country consistently meeting TED compliance. This has given it a unique competitive edge,” said Prof. Daniel Ama-Abasi, immediate past Director at the Institute of Oceanography, University of Calabar.
He noted that Nigeria’s shrimp exports rose sharply—from $36 million in 2022 to $53 billion by September 2024—a surge partly attributed to market opportunities created by U.S. bans on non-compliant nations.
While the export growth is promising, experts warn against the dangers of overfishing. Prof. Stephen Ncha, Aquaculture Specialist at Cross River University of Technology, explained that compliance with TEDs is not only a market requirement but also a sustainability measure.
“Alternative markets may absorb exports in the short term, but equipping trawlers with TEDs ensures long-term access to lucrative markets like the U.S.,” Ncha said.
“It’s about aligning Nigeria with global conservation standards.”
Similarly, Emeritus Prof. Martins Antekhai of Lagos State University emphasized that Nigeria’s access to the U.S. shrimp market depends entirely on TED compliance.
“Without TEDs, there is no U.S. market. Conservation and commerce must go hand in hand,” he stressed.
According to Prof. Lawrence Etim of the University of Uyo, Nigeria exported about 141 tonnes of frozen shrimp worth $3.16 million to the U.S. in 2023.
While this represents a fraction of the total $38.5 million shrimp export earnings, the U.S. market is considered highly valuable due to premium prices.
Maintaining this certification, however, comes at a cost. Retrofitting trawlers with TEDs costs between $325 and $550 if imported from the U.S., or between $75 and $100 if locally produced.
Experts argue that this cost is negligible compared to the losses exporters would face if barred from the U.S. market.
Etim called for government subsidies and public-private collaboration to support small-scale operators. “Spending a few hundred dollars per net is cheaper than losing a multi-million-dollar export market,” he said.
With U.S. authorities vowing stricter enforcement of Section 609, Nigeria must sustain its compliance efforts. This includes:
Regular trawler inspections and certification.
Training of inspectors and operators on TED installation.
Strong enforcement to prevent illegal or non-compliant fishing.
Collaboration with international conservation bodies to maintain credibility.
Analysts say Nigeria’s shrimp industry is well-positioned to thrive if it continues to prioritize sustainability alongside expansion.
With rising demand and reduced competition from banned countries, Nigeria could strengthen its share of the global shrimp trade while protecting endangered sea turtles.
As Prof. Antekhai summed it up: “Nigeria’s success shows that protecting the environment and growing the economy can go hand in hand.
Shrimp is not just an export—it’s a test case for sustainable fisheries management.”