Empirical analysis of artisanal fishery practices and constraints: a synergy to poverty alleviation and sustainable fishery development in North Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Agriculture production systems are highly diversified systems in which fishery play importantand integral parts. Constraints to artisanal fishery development are not only of aquatic andtechnical in nature, but also related to fish breeding, reproduction, nutrition, health control,water quality management and technology. However, socio-economic and rural developmentfactors such as extension contacts, credit availability, labour intensity, basic infrastructurefacilities, finance and basic human needs and sanitation are also important towards artisanalfishery development. Fishery households need an in-depth scientific training and extensioneducation in combination with a critical attitude towards aspects of fishery constraints andsustainable fishery development. The analysis has been planned and organized with theseconsiderations. The study examined the constraints to artisanal fishery practices as a synergy topoverty alleviation and fishery sustainable development in Nigeria. Accessibility to credit, highcost of equipment and inadequate storage were perceived the most severe problems faced by thefishermen. Mobilization of fishermen into formal groups to have fair benefit of collectiveinvestment of group savings was recommended.