Using Fishers Knowledge in Community Based Fisheries Management in the River Nun Estuary, Niger Delta

Abstract

A study of fishers' knowledge in community based fisheries management practices in the Nun River estuary were conducted to assess the contribution of fishers' knowledge to fisheries resources conservation. The total number of fishers that operated in the area were 390, and 221 fishers were interviewed based on a minimum of 10 years fishing experience using the socio-ecological approach. The laws introduced are banned on the use of mesh size less than five cm and banned on chemical fishing. Fishers caught using chemicals to fish were arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution. The management method has enhanced conservation of fisheries' resources, which is a major source of livelihood for the people. It is therefore pertinent to introduce community based laws to check over exploitation of fisheries' resources in fishing communities in the Niger Delta. RÉSUMÉN:Utiliser le savoir des pêcheurs dans la gestion communautaire des pêcheries de l'estuaire de la rivière Nun, Delta du Niger.Une étude des savoirs des pêcheurs sur les pratiques communautaires de gestion piscicole dans l'estuaire de la rivière Nun a été effectuée afin d'évaluer la contribution des connaissances des pêcheurs à la conservation des ressources halieutiques. Le nombre total des pêcheurs opérant dans la zone est de 390, parmi-eux 221 ont été interviewés sur la base dʼune expérience de pêche minimale de 10 ans, en utilisant lʼapproche socio-écologique. Les lois interdisent l'utilisation des maillages de moins de cinq cm et la pêche chimique. Les pêcheurs surpris en train de pêcher en utilisant des substances chimiques ont été arrêtés par la police et soumis à des poursuite judiciaires. La méthode de gestion a amélioré la conservation des ressources halieutiques, qui est une ressource majeure pour la subsistance des population. Il est donc pertinent dʼintroduire des lois communautaires pour veiller à la bonne exploitation des ressources halieutiques dans les communautés de pêcheurs du Delta du Niger.REZUMAT: Utilizarea cunoștințelor pescarilor în managementul comunitar al pescăriilor din estuarul râului Nun, Delta Nigerului.Pentru a determina contribuția cunoașterii pescarilor la conservarea resurselor piscicole a fost realizat un studiu al cunoștințelor pescarilor în practicile de gestiune comunitară a pescăriilor din estuarul râului Nun. Numărul total de pescari care operau în zonă a fost de 390 dintre care (pe baza criteriului de experiență minimă de 10 ani) au fost intervievați 221, utilizând o abordare socio-ecologică. Noua legislație interzice utilizarea de plase cu ochiuri sub cinci cm precum și pescuitul cu substanțe chimice. Pescarii prinși utilizând substanțe chimice pentru pescuit au fost arestați și trimiși în judecată. Metoda de management a îmbunătățit conservarea resurselor piscicole, una dintre principalele surse de trai pentru populație. Din acest motiv este pertinentă introducerea de acte comunitare de reglementare pentru a controla supraexploatarea resurselor piscicole în comunitățile de pescari din Delta Niger...

Artisanal Fishers Knowledge of Covid-19 and the Impact of Lock Down on Fishing in Igbomotoru Bayelsa State, Niger Delta

“…Inhabitants of Igbomotoru irrespective of age and sex fish during the wet and dry seasons as fishing is based on fishing calendar that has been used for years. This finding agrees with Ngodigha et al (2018a) in their study of using Fisher's knowledge in community based Fisheries management in River Nun Estuary, Niger Delta. Most fishing activities were done during the raining Season, as it is believed to be the period of abundant catch (Ngodigha and Gbarabe 2015;.…”

“…This finding agrees with Ngodigha et al (2018a) in their study of using Fisher's knowledge in community based Fisheries management in River Nun Estuary, Niger Delta. Most fishing activities were done during the raining Season, as it is believed to be the period of abundant catch (Ngodigha and Gbarabe 2015;. Fishers' knowledge of fishing is directly related to fishing success, so it is very important to them .…”

“…On a brighter note, the aquatic ecosystems had an intangible respite from overfishing pressures due to the laws on restrictions. This assertion agrees with the findings of Ngodigha et al (2018a) that a Fishery could recover if there are laws limiting fishing activities on the fish stock. Fishers complained of very poor landing before the COVID-19 as this could be due to the crude oil pollution in the area (Arugu and Eseduwo 2014) as well as indiscriminate fishing activities (Ngodigha et al 2018b).…”

Analysis of Worth Assessment of Information Sources and Some Socio-Economic Characteristics of Artisanal Fishers in Niger Delta

“…This could be due to the fact that fishers operate nuclear families [7] with majority (205) having 3 -4 children (46.40%), and 1-2 wives (95.70%). The larger the family size, the higher the quantity of fish caught [17], which when sold will meet their financial needs [18].…”

“…A total of 243 (55%) of artisanal fishers earn monthly income of between ₦11,000 -₦ 50,000 while 22.40% earn between ₦1 -₦10,000, 16% earn from ₦51,000 to ₦100,000 and 6.60% earn ₦101,000 and above with a mean of 2.07. This could be due to the fact that most inhabitants of the fishing communities have left the fishing industry for other occupation due to the dwindling fisheries resources [19] [18].…”