The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has recorded the emergence of new fish species and a notable increase in fish sizes in Bomu Creek, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, following progress in shoreline remediation and the completion of Phase One of mangrove restoration in the area.
The findings emerged from a post-restoration fish stock assessment conducted last Saturday at Bomu Creek. The exercise was led by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, and involved HYPREP shoreline and mangrove restoration personnel, academics from the University of Port Harcourt, and local fisherfolk.
According to the assessment team, the improved ecological condition of the creek has encouraged the migration and survival of diverse fish species, with a particularly significant increase in the size of the Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus). The development is seen as a positive indicator of ecosystem recovery and improved aquatic health resulting from sustained remediation efforts.
Professor Zabbey described the outcome as evidence that science-driven environmental restoration can deliver tangible benefits to impacted communities, especially those whose livelihoods depend on fishing and other aquatic resources.
Beyond the scientific exercise, the visit also provided an opportunity for cultural interaction, as HYPREP officials and community members gathered at a local creekside business, D-Kissy Bush Bar and Restaurant, popularly known as Gbaaziri. The informal interaction, marked by shared meals and the serene creek environment, highlighted the gradual return of social and cultural activities once common in the area.
Observers noted that the event symbolised more than an environmental assessment, reflecting a broader revival of community life and cultural bonds in Ogoniland. HYPREP’s ongoing interventions, stakeholders say, are not only restoring degraded ecosystems but also helping to preserve and reawaken the socio-cultural heritage of the Ogoni people.
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