ARTISANAL PRACTICES, PROSPECTS PERCEPTION AND CHALLENGES AMONG FISHERS IN LOWER RIVER NIGER, KOGI STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

Artisanal fishery and its potentials are threatened in Nigeria due to overexploitation of the natural stock. The study investigated artisanal practices, prospects perception and challenges among fishers in lower river Niger, Kogi State Nigeria. All the four Local Governments along lower River Niger were purposively selected and thirty percent (30%) artisanal fishers were randomly selected from each community in each of the four Local Governments to make up one hundred and ninety-four (194) respondents. Data were collected through structured questionnaire and scheduled interview administered to the artisanal fishers. Data were analyzed with descriptive analyses which include frequency, percentage and mean. The results showed that Catfish spp (43.1%) was the dominant fish species caught and , fishing is mostly done in the evening by half (54.1%) of the fishers , more than half (69.1%) of the fishers used planked canoe while only 56% used outboard engine for, only 54.1% used cast net while few (41.8%) used subsidized fishing craft. Prospect perception of artisanal fishers ranked by mean weighted score revealed that hobby = 3.91%, food security = 3.88 and income = 3.27. Lack of sufficient capital  =3.70 and decrease in catch = 3.68 were the major challenges encountered by the artisanal fishers. The study recommended that artisanal fishermen should form an association through which resources can be pulled together and made available to members in form of loan and the enforcement of fishing regulations.