To mark International Polychaete Day, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) conducted a benthic monitoring exercise in Bomu Creek, Gokana Local Government Area (LGA), aimed at assessing biodiversity recovery as part of its ongoing shoreline and mangrove restoration efforts.
Observed annually on 1 July, the day celebrates polychaetes—marine worms vital to marine ecosystems—and honours the late Dr. Kristian Fauchald, a renowned expert in the field.
Speaking at the event, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, emphasised the significance of polychaetes as indicator species.
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“These guys (marine worms) are permanently here. They are always very adaptive. Increase in their diversity or species richness will indicate improvement in the ecosystem we are working on,” Zabbey said. “But these marine worms form the base of food chains in the ecosystem. “
He added that the monitoring will be conducted quarterly and offers valuable research opportunities for interns. HYPREP is collaborating with academic institutions and is in talks with the University of Port Harcourt to establish a Chair in Wetland Research to support long-term ecosystem monitoring.
Also present was Prof. Scott Pegg of Indiana University, who planted a symbolic mangrove and praised HYPREP’s work in reversing oil pollution damage in Ogoniland.
This exercise comes on the heels of HYPREP’s second-phase fish stock assessment in Bomu Creek, aimed at linking fish population recovery with mangrove restoration progress.
