Ghana Graduates Conference

Constraints Of Indigenous Fish Farming Practices Among Artisanal Fisher Folks In Warri North Local Government Area Of Delta State, Nigeria

D.U. Okoedo-Okojie

ABSTRACT

The study assessed constraints of indigenous fish farming among artisanal fisher folks in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. An attempt have been made in this paper to examine the socio-economic characteristics of artisanal fisher folks, identify their knowledge and information sources, their perceived possible improvement strategies, and factors that constraints artisanal fishing. Data were collected from 125 respondents with the aid of structured questionnaire. Five communities were sample, independent variables such as age and length of fishing experience were measured using frequency counts and percentages while constraints to artisanal fishing was measured using mean, a 4 point rating scale. PPMC was employed for hypothesis testing, this provided insight into the socio-economic factors that have significant effect on respondents perceived constraints to artisanal fishing, the major source of fish supply in Nigeria and other West African nations including Ghana. Data analysis reveal that respondents had a mean age of 45 years, and most (50.20%) were between 41-50years old, with a mean modal fishing experience of 18 years and 16 to 20 years respectively. Majority (72.8%), (76.8%) and (75.1%) of the respondents were into full time artisanal fishing, of the respondents source knowledge/information from family members while perceive that provision of technical advices as a possible improvement strategy respectively. Major constraints limiting artisanal fishing activities include inadequate modern fishing gear (mean = 3.93), oil spillage (mean = 3.92), lack of modern processing facilities (mean = 3.88). Agricultural Development Programme should establish functional fishing terminals with adequate processing and preservation facilities

This study is useful to Ghana graduates in research as it provides frontline information and a basis for further studies. Artisanal fishing is indigenous to Africa yet there is no clear empirical evidence of the utilization of this indigenous knowledge and constraints as it affect socio-economic variable of fisher folk in Nigeria. This study is important to policy makers as it provide such information that can provoke necessary adjustment. For instance, FAO (2005) observed that in Ghana, total fish production is 393,428MT, seafood value export is $82,473,000 and GDP of 3%. This can be improved upon if findings/recommendations of this study are attributed core research values. The country of case study – Nigeria is ideal, being the most populous African country. Moreover, Nigeria, Ghana and indeed most African countries have the same economic woos, so that solutions applied in one can easily be applied to the other.

Key Words: Constraints, Artisanal and fisher folks