ASSESSMENT OF SUSTAINABLE FISHING TECHNIQUES AND CHALLENGES AMONG ARTISANAL FISHERS IN RIVER IBI, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the assessment of sustainable techniques in fishing activities and challenges among Artisanal Fishers in River Ibi, Taraba State, Nigeria. A total of 200 respondents were used as the sample size for the study through purposive and simple random sampling techniques selected in four major fishing communities (Ibi town, Sarkin kudu, Dampar, and Nwonyon) within the Local Government Area. Data obtained was subjected to descriptive (percentage and frequency) and inferential (mean). The result showed that the artisanal fishers are predominantly male (87.5%), married (70.0%); had formal education (81.9%). Ban on use of explosive ( x =3.00) and ban on use of chemicals ( x =2.98) are the major sustainable fishing techniques among artisanal fishers, Payments of fine ( x =3.00), seizure of fish caught ( x =2.89 ) are the major penalties for the contravention of sustainable fishing techniques while open access nature of the fisheries (100.0%), climate change (100.0%) and post-harvest losses (99.0%) are the major challenges among the artisanal fishers.. The study recommended that Government should enlighten fishers on the awareness on sustainable fishing techniques its implications and proper enforcement on the fishing regulation should be put in place.