Sustainable Artisanal Fisheries Practices in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper attempts to examine the current trends of artisanal fisheries practices in inland waters of Nigeria. The paper discussed the potentials of inland fisheries resources, its advantages and the pressure on inland fisheries resources of Nigeria. Despites efforts by relevant agencies, bodies and institutions through regulations, control and monitoring, Unsustainable fisheries practices such as overfishing, use of destructive and damaging fishing methods as well as illegal, unregulated and unreported fisheries practices are still common practices among artisanal fishers in Nigeria. There is low adherence and compliance to fisheries regulations and sustainable fisheries practices among the artisanal fishers. These unsustainable fisheries practices are threatening the sustainability and benefits of the inland fisheries resources. The paper also highlights the current challenges facing and militating against the sustainable development of artisanal fisheries in Nigeria, fisheries sustainability objectives and ecosystem effects of fishing. There is need for swift adoption and implementation of measures that will ensure sustainable exploitation, development and management of the inland fisheries resources of Nigeria. The paper recommends the need for enlightenment campaign on sustainable fisheries practices, regular programmers of overfished and depleted water bodies and integrates artisanal fishers as key stakeholders in fisheries policy formulation, management. Diversifying or providing an alternative source of income for the artisanal fishers would reduce the pressure on the resources by engaging in non-fishing activities. The need to strictly implement the newly enacted Inland fisheries Act, 2014 cannot be overemphasized.