Where there is water, there is life. Beneath the tranquil surfaces of rivers, lagoons, creeks, and coastal waters exists an intricate ecosystem that nourishes communities, sustains livelihoods, preserves biodiversity, and quietly supports human existence. Yet, these invaluable aquatic resources are increasingly threatened by pollution, habitat degradation, overexploitation, climate change, and unsustainable fishing practices, placing both nature and humanity at risk.
It was this silent crisis that formed the focus of an illuminating Inaugural Lecture titled “Rescue the Perishing: The Role of Fish Conservation, Fishing Gears and Crafts Technology Expert,” delivered by Professor Babatunde Eniola Emmanuel, Professor of Fisheries at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Through his lecture, held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Professor Emmanuel illuminated the indispensable role of fisheries science in advancing food security, environmental sustainability, and human well-being, demonstrating that fish are far more than a source of nourishment. They are integral components of healthy aquatic ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity, maintaining ecological balance and water quality, supporting environmental monitoring, providing medicinal applications, and sustaining the livelihoods of millions of people. In essence, he reminded his audience that the survival of humanity is inextricably linked to the health and sustainability of our aquatic resources.
A major highlight of the lecture was Professor Emmanuel’s compelling call for the rescue of fish populations from the growing threats posed by habitat degradation, pollution, overexploitation, climate change, and unsustainable fishing practices. Drawing from scientific evidence and practical field experience, he argued that conserving freshwater and marine ecosystems is no longer simply an environmental responsibility but an indispensable strategy for protecting biodiversity, strengthening food security, and securing the future of generations to come.
Particularly remarkable was the practical relevance of his research to artisanal fisheries across Nigeria. Through extensive studies on fishing gears, crafts technology, and fish conservation, Professor Emmanuel demonstrated how innovations in gear selectivity and efficiency can increase fish production while reducing environmental degradation. His research has generated practical solutions to challenges confronting fishing communities, including reducing fishing hazards, preventing unnecessary destruction of fishing nets, minimising losses associated with night fishing, and promoting affordable technologies that encourage the sustainable utilisation of aquatic resources.
Equally significant were his contributions to understanding the complex relationship between fish and the environments they inhabit. His investigations into fish distribution, habitat dynamics, and saline water intrusion revealed the indispensable ecological roles of creeks and natural ponds as breeding grounds, nursery habitats, and safe refuges for diverse aquatic species. These findings continue to provide valuable scientific insights for the conservation and sustainable management of Nigeria’s lagoon ecosystems.
The lecture also underscored the immense nutritional and public health value of fish. Professor Emmanuel identified species rich in high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that contribute significantly to healthy living. At the same time, he drew attention to the health risks associated with heavy metal contamination, microbial pollution, and parasitic infestations in aquatic environments, reinforcing the need for responsible environmental stewardship and improved food safety practices.
Yet, Professor Emmanuel’s research extends beyond fisheries conservation. Through studies on aquatic pollution, the bioaccumulation of heavy metals, fish diseases, and the ecological impacts of industrial activities, he demonstrated how fisheries science has become an indispensable instrument for environmental monitoring, pollution control, and evidence-based public policy, further strengthening its relevance to sustainable national development.
Ultimately, Professor Emmanuel’s message reaches far beyond the boundaries of fisheries science. It is a reminder that the health of our waters determines the health of our people. Protecting aquatic ecosystems, therefore, is not merely an environmental obligation but a shared responsibility that underpins food security, public health, economic resilience, and sustainable development.
With his illuminating insights, Professor Emmanuel has challenged us to rescue the perishing by safeguarding our fish populations and aquatic ecosystems. More importantly, he has deepened our appreciation of fish as invaluable natural resources, demonstrating that responsible fisheries management and aquatic conservation are indispensable to ecological balance, food security, improved public health, economic prosperity, and a more sustainable future for humanity.
The Inaugural Lecture, which was the four hundred and sixty-third (463rd) Inaugural Lecture of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and the seventeenth (17th) in the 2025/2026 Academic Session, was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS.
About Professor Babatunde Eniola Emmanuel
Born on Thursday, May 6, 1976, Professor Babatunde Eniola Emmanuel obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Fisheries from the University of Lagos in 2000. He subsequently earned a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Fisheries in 2004 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Fisheries in 2009 from the same institution.
He began his academic career at the University of Lagos as an Assistant Lecturer in September 2005 and steadily rose through the ranks to become Lecturer II (2009), Lecturer I (2012), Senior Lecturer (2015), Associate Professor (2020), and Professor in October 2023.
A foremost authority in fish conservation, fishing gears, and crafts technology, Professor Emmanuel’s research has significantly advanced knowledge in fisheries management, aquatic ecology, fish biology, environmental monitoring, food safety, and the sustainable utilisation of aquatic resources. His pioneering work has produced practical innovations for artisanal fisheries, earned him a patent for a Unique Improved Selective Fishing Trap in 2019, and won the Best Science Award at the University of Lagos Annual Research Fair in 2009.
An accomplished researcher and mentor, he has supervised 125 undergraduate research projects, 12 Master’s dissertations, and six doctoral candidates, three of whom have successfully completed their Ph.D. programmes.
Beyond academia, Professor Emmanuel is a certified environmental consultant with over two decades of professional experience in hydrobiology, fisheries, and environmental impact assessment for major national development projects in the oil and gas sector. He is a member of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria, the World Goby Society, the Association of Nigerian Fisheries Scientists, and the Tropical Biology Association.
Professor Babatunde Eniola Emmanuel is happily married to Mrs. Ayoleyi Olayinka Emmanuel, and together they are blessed with children.
Author: Nike Ogunshakin
Photographer:L Joshua Michael
