Prince Emeka Ndimele
Ph.D. 2008 (Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria)
Biographical Information
I earned a B.Sc in Fisheries from Lagos State University, Nigeria in 2000. I did my M.Sc and Ph.D at University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria where I tested the efficacy of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) (a supposed noxious aquatic weed) in restoration of oil-polluted aquatic ecosystems. My research interest spans different areas of fisheries including aquatic ecology, ecotoxicology, statistical modelling, fisheries biology and ecological restoration. Over the years, I have monitored persistent environmental stressors (heavy metals, pesticides) in Lagos Inland water bodies. I have also tested the efficacy of water hyacinth as well as other aquatic macrophytes, and biostimulants (fertilizers) in restoration of oil-polluted aquatic ecosystems. In addition, I have been engaged in outreach programs advocating the integration of indigenous knowledge with conventional techniques to solve societal problems.
My future research plan would focus on the following areas: modelling the impacts of anthropogenic stressors on man and his environment; the impacts of climate change on sustainable livelihood in coastal communities; and the use of metabolites to understand the functioning and processes in aquatic ecosystems (ecometabolomics).
Presently, I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria. I have over forty five (45) publications in referred journals. In 2018, the textbook (The Political Ecology of Oil and Gas Activities in the Nigerian Aquatic Ecosystem), which I had the privilege to conceptualize and edit was published by Elsevier. I am a fellow of the Europe-Africa Marine Earth Observation Network (EAMNet). I have also won some grants including 2016 Ecologists in Africa Grant of British Ecological Society, 2017 Global Outreach Initiative of ASLO, 2019 Research Grant by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), 2019 American Geophysical Union Centennial Grant among others.
Candidate Statement
I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the development of ASLO as I have done in organisations in Nigeria. I have held some positions in academic societies especially Fisheries Society of Nigeria and these experiences would be brought to bear when I join ASLO Board. Some of these positions are: Vice President (Research and Training), Fisheries Society of Nigeria (2018 – 2020 ); Conference Editor - 33rd Annual Conference of Fisheries Society of Nigeria held in Lagos, Nigeria in 2018; Conference Editor, 28th Annual Conference of Fisheries Society of Nigeria held in Abuja, Nigeria in 2013; Co-editor, Special issue of the proceedings of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) published in Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science; Asst Editor, Fisheries Society of Nigeria (National) / Nigerian Journal of Fisheries 2009 – 2010; Secretary, Local Organising Committee of the 25th Annual Conference of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (EKO 2010); Asst Editor, Fisheries Society of Nigeria (Lagos State Chapter) (2009 – 2012).
ASLO is a focal point of convergence for aquatic scientists all over the world. However, membership of this society is skewed in favour of the West, which is not any fault of our colleagues from this part of the globe. Rather, it is lack of membership drive in Africa caused by several factors like poor remuneration of researchers, inadequate research grant opportunities, etc. These factors are also responsible for the poor participation of Africans in ASLO meetings. When I get elected into ASLO Board, I will help to drive membership from outside the United States of America and Europe especially from Africa, where aquatic ecosystems are under severe threat. I will encourage the establishment of ASLO Student Chapters in African institutions of higher learning. The opportunity to be an ASLO Board member is interesting and challenging because I would be representing an under-represented segment of the aquatic community, which probably constitute more than 25% of this group.
The rate of destruction of aquatic ecosystems is on the increase despite the enormous usefulness of these habitats to man and his environment. If continued unabated, we stand the risk of losing some of our precious natural resources. There must be concerted efforts at salvaging what is left of our depleted aquatics and ensure that they are explored sustainably. One of the ways to achieve this laudable goal is to have an unbiased umpire in policy formulation and the decision-making processes concerning aquatic ecosystems. This role can be effectively played by ASLO in particular and other sister aquatic societies in general. In a nutshell, ASLO through her members will drive discussions and policies on aquatic ecosystems all over the world. Board membership of ASLO will provide me the veritable platform to be part of the process that will articulate thoughts and ideas, which will ensure that our aquatic ecosystems are managed sustainably.