PRACTICE OF SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES REGULATIONS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed practice of sustainable fisheries regulations in Niger State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 228 respondents for the study. Validated interview schedule were used to collect data and data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed that majority (51.7%) of the respondents fall within age range of 41 to 60 years. Major source of information for the respondents was fish masters (75.4%). Non use of explosives was the most widely practised sustainable fishing regulation by the respondents, while sustainable fishing regulations such as effort control (12.3%) and closed areas/closed seasons (10.5%) had low practising percentages in the area; reasons given for not practising such sustainable fishing regulations were remoteness of fishing communities and cultural believes. Finding further indicated that there were positive significant relationship between educational level (r=0.835), association membership (r=0.473), access to all weather roads (r=0.441), contact with fish master (r=0.480) and practice of sustainable fishing regulations. Therefore, it was suggested that fishermen should be trained and encouraged to adopt all the sustainable fishing practices for sustainable economic development. It was also recommended that motorable roads should be constructed in the rural fishing communities to improve fish master/extension contact and adherence to sustainable fishing regulations.