CHAPTER ONE

1.0 NTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Fish production is very important not only as a source of animal protein to ensure food security

but also to improve employment and income towards the elimination of poverty in developing

countries. ( Okezie et al, 2008). Fish is the cheapest source of animal protein and represents a

significant proportion of animal protein in the diet of most developing countries, including

Nigeria (Iruo, et al, 2017).

In Nigeria, the use of craft for fishing purpose is guided by the Inland Fisheries Act Of 1992 with

provisions in sections 1, 2 and 4 as published. Nigeria is blessed with 8, 600 kilometres of

inland waterways and an extensive coastland of about 852 kilometres (Obed, 2013). As such

most Communities along the coast has fishing as their vocation. These fishing activities are

usually in small-scale and are utilised for subsistence or commercial purposes. The exploration

of aquatic resources in coastal communities is majorly artisanal fishing, using motorized craft

and dug-out wooden canoe (Sikoki, 2013, Emmanuel, 2010, Solarin, 1998).

Globally, fish accounts for about 17 percent of animal protein intake and 6.7 percent of all

protein consumed by humans (FAO, 2016). Fish is deliberated as the most significant food items

from the very beginning of human civilization and one of the major suppliers of important

elements needed by man in the aquatic environment and play a major role in economy of many

nations as they have been a stable item in the diet of many and as animal proteins consumed by

one billion people worldwide (Ali et al, 2015).

Artisanal fishery covers the operations of small scale canoes. The term “artisanal” is often used

interchangeably with small scale” fishery. .Artisanal fisheries are small-scale fisheries for

subsistence or local, small markets, generally using traditional fishing techniques and small

1
boats. Productivity and income are generally low and infrastructural backing and credit are

lacking. They occur around the world (particularly in developing nations) and are vital to

livelihoods and food security (Daniel and Monsi, 2019). Artisanal fisheries rely mainly on

“human effort” especially in the areas of setting out, landing, discharging catches, locating fish,

etc., the entire activities associated with it become rudimentary making it cumbersome and

energy consuming for the operators. Over several decades, Nigeria’s artisanal fisheries have

witnessed very little or no development (Abohweyere et al, 2011).

Fishers operating in the coastal areas, creeks, lagoons, rivers, streams, lakes, inshore water and

inland rivers use both traditional and modern fishing gears (Roland, et al, 2019).

Generally gears are those equipments that are used to catch the fishes. For fishing, different

kinds of crafts, gears and traps are used. Different types of fishing method used from primitive

times and now fishing methods had been modified. The fishermen selected their fishing gears

depending on types of water body, different operation area, depth of water and availability of

target species to be caught. Efficient and effective use of any gear on a water body with success,

the fisher needs a kind of mobility to enable him/her reach both near and distant fishing grounds

or markets. This necessitates the acquisition of a craft. Diversity in fish species habit and habitats

has led to the use of different fishing equipment peculiar to water bodies. Seasonal variations in

species composition and abundance also necessitate the use of specific fishing gear and craft at a

particular fishing site within a particular period of time. Hence, fishers employ various fishing

methods, depending on the season and period of operation (NIFFR, 2002).

1.2 Statement of Problem

Inland fisheries have suffered the vagaries of poor policy, poor management, depletion of

resources, poor economic and market infrastructure, which contribute a serious impediment to

development of the sector, making it less productive (Tafida, et al., 2009)

2
1.3 Justification of the study
In Nigeria, public policies are brilliantly formulated but their implementation turn out to be

ineffective, thereby leading to the failure of such public policies to achieve their aims and

objectives for which they were designed, Obodoechi (2009). Ozor (2004) on his part, assert that

the ineffective implementation of public policies in Nigeria has continued to create a large gap

between formulated public policy goals and the achievement of those goals. Basically, there is

usually wide gaps between formulated policy goals and the achievement of those goals as a

result of ineffective implementation in almost all facets of public administration in Nigeria as

noted by (Ozor, 2004; Mankinde, 2005).

The study is therefore set to know the level of awareness of the Inland Fisheries Act of 1992 and

the compliance of fishing craft users to this Act in the selected areas.

1.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1.4.1 Aim
The aim of the study is to investigate the various crafts that is operated on the two fishing sites.

1.4.2 Objectives of the study are to;

• examine if the fishers are aware of the Inland Fisheries Act of 1992.

• investigate the compliance of the fishers in these two fishing sites to the Act.

3
 CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITEATURE REVIEW
2.1 Artisanal fisheries in Nigeria
Many artisanal fisheries along shoreline areas in most places in the world are of the “S” type:

Small-scale, Spatial-structured and catching Sedentary stocks (Orensanz et al., 2005). It may be

a native fisheries for sustenance or commercial fishing using indigenous or small scale fishing

gear like nets, traps and also using motorized or non-motorized fishing boat during fishing

activities (Mustapha, 2013). Artisanal fisheries use proportionally little amount of monetary

capital for fishing activities by covering short distances close to the coastal shore of the water.

The harvested fish are sold in their locality and consumed by fisher‟s families (Mustapha, 2013).

Like in many other places, artisanal fisheries in Nigeria are characterized by low scientific

knowledge, deficiency of modern equipment and modest investment. These usually result into

intensivity of labour utilization, and little or no prospect of expansion (Ibrahim et al., 2009).

Statistics has shown that fish demand exceeds supply (Ibrahim et al., (2009). Tsadu et al., (2006)

and Ibrahim et al., (2009) estimated fish demand in Nigeria to be about 1.3 million metric tons,

but the annual fish consumption was estimated to be 2.6 million metric tons (Clement, 2013;

Oyakhilomen and Zibah, 2013). The inadequate in fish supply may have transformed to high

price of fish (Ita, 1993). Local production of fish is dominated by artisanal fisheries, accounting

for almost 85% of total fish productions (Mustapha 2013). In spite of this small scale operation,

artisanal fisheries contribute significantly to sustainable livelihoods of people in several ways.

2.1.1. Fish Diversity in Inland Water of Nigeria

Nigeria has large natural aquatic ecosystem that provide spawning and feeding habitats for a

large number of freshwater and brackish water fish species (Meye and Ikomi, 2008; Emmanuel,

2009). These aquatic ecosystems with more than 270 fish species varieties are outstanding in

4
terms of richness in West Africa (Meye and Ikomi, 2008). The diversity and conservation of fish

in inland water has attracted the attention of many researchers over the years. Teugels and

Powell, (2023) reported about 243 species and 36 families mainly freshwater, in Niger basin, a

region of high abundance in Nigeria. Ita, (2013) revealed 268 diverse fish species in 34 well

recognized Nigeria freshwater Lakes, rivers and reservoirs, with a surface of about 98,185,

kilometer square are equivalent to 12% of the Nigeria entire area. In Kainji Lake alone, about 30

fish families have been described and these includes Centropomidae, Citharinidae, Cichlidae

and Characidae family (du Feu, 2023) Food accessibility, rate of breeding, spawning grounds,

availability of water current, vegetation, water depth, migration of the fish as well as low

predation have been previously suggested as major factors responsible for the distribution of fish

families in the lake (Akintunde, 2016). However, Lawson (2010) pointed out that external

drivers like habitat degradation could affect biomass of inland species. The human impacts,

resulting from extraction of water for irrigation and industrialization could also cause burden of

inorganic and organic pollutants in water (Lawson, 2010).

2.1.2 Classification of craft and gear in inland water of Nigeria

Fishermen who are involved in artisanal fisheries in Nigeria make use of boats and gears made

up of both natural and synthetic materials. Fishers use planked canoe, dugout canoe and half

dugout canoe for fishing and each of them has different constructional characteristics (Ambrose

et al., 2021; NIFFR, 2022). The planked canoes are made up of timbers, usually with flat bottom

(Solarin, 2018). They are fully constructed with planks joined together with frames, U-shaped

metal closures and nailing strip of galvanized iron aluminum pluck caulking over the plank joints

(Solarin, 2018).

The dugout canoe which is propelled with paddle, mostly provides minute space to contain

fishers, gear and harvested fish during fishing operation. The dugout canoe has quite small free

5
board and thus, shows low reserved buoyancy and less stability in comparison to any other kinds

of canoe (Solarin 2018). However, Emmanuel (2020) reviewed that half dugout canoe combines

characteristics of planked canoe and dugout canoe. The round bottom body shape of the dugout

craft is built up with planks on each side to increase the size or cubic quantity of the canoe. With

regard to propulsion, craft can be operated by paddle or controlled with outboard engine. The

attachment of outboard engine to craft in Nigeria has been reported by Udolisa et al., (2014).

NIFFR (2022) reported that majority of the craft used in inland water of Nigeria are generally

non-motorized, due to high cost of outboard engine. Nigerian fishermen use about twenty seven

(27) different types of fishing gear (Udolisa et al., 2014). NIFFR, (2022) revealed the gear

commonly employed by the fishers in Nigeria: these include gill nets, lift nets, cast nets, beach

seine nets, long lines and traps (Malian or gura traps, bamboo traps, cane, wire or barrier traps).

Considerable literature reviewed gill nets as the most important gear used by indigenous fishers

followed by long lines and cast nets (Emmanuel, 2020). According to Abdul (2015), the various

type of fishing gear and the way they are used on Nigerian water depend on fisher‟s financial

status, water depth, shoreline patterns, targeted fish species and seasons of the year.

2.1.3 Livelihood strategies of fishermen in Kainji Lake

Nigerian fishing communities are far from developed, and many fishermen are poor and can only

afford the most basic needs (Araoye, 2012; Williams, 2017). The World Bank, (2016) reported

that, the occurrence of poverty is extremely noticeable in Nigeria, particularly in the rural

environs where greater number of people live on income from agricultural activities that are

insufficient to support them. Majority of the fishing communities are remote and members of the

community rely mostly on natural resources for their survival and well-being.

Notable academic papers already agreed with the deteriorating change of the fish stock over the

years (Abiodun and Niworu, 2014; Ovie and Raji, 2016). This has affected numerous fishers
6
livelihood in Kainji Lake and the whole of Nigeria. According to Abiodun, (2013) fishermen in

Kainji Lake face the challenges of decline fish species and, ultimately, in the fisher‟s income

(Tafida et al., 2011). The majority of the fishers in Kainji lake communities are part-time

actively involved in fishing, crop production, livestock production and other economic activities

(Tafida et al., 2011). In their study, Tafida et al., (2011), revealed that 98.8% of the communities

in Kainji Lake are involved in fishing, 86.7% in Livestock production, 86.3% in crop production,

while 53.3% and 13.3% are involved in fish processing and trading respectively.

2.2 INLAND FISHERIES ACT 1992

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTION
1. Licensing of fishing craft.
2. Application for a licence.
3. Insurance and validity of licence.
4. Identification mark on fishing craft.
5. Restriction on use of fishing gear, etc.
6. Prohibition of unorthodox fishing methods.
7. Declaration of catch, etc.
8. Prohibition of export or import of live fish, etc.
9. Closed areas and seasons.
10. Construction of dams, weirs, barriers, etc.
11. Protection of fish or fish products against contamination and infection.
12. Offences by bodies corporate, etc.
13. Enforcement.
14. Return of craft, apparatus, etc., to lawful owner.
15. Regulations.
16. Interpretation.
17. Short title.
7
INLAND FISHERIES ACT

An Act to provide for the licensing of fishing craft and the regulation of fishing on

the inland waters of Nigeria and for matters connected therewith. [1992 No. 108.] [28th

December, 1992] [Commencement.]

1. Licensing of fishing craft

(1) As from the commencement of this Act no person shall operate a motor fishing craft (in this

Act referred to as a "craft") within the inland waters of Nigeria unless a licence in respect of that

craft has been issued to the owner or operator of the craft under this Act.

(2) A person who operates or causes to be operated a craft in contravention of subsection (1) of

this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N500 or

imprisonment for a term of six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

2. Application for a licence

(1) An application for a licence under this Act shall be made in a writing to the Commissioner in

such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Commissioner and shall-

(a) contain the particulars and description of the craft in respect of which the application is made;

(b) state in sufficient details-

(i) the method to be employed in fishing; and

(ii) the area within which it is proposed that the craft is to be operated;

(c) be accompanied by such fee as the Commissioner may prescribe.

(2) The Commissioner may, before considering an application require the applicant-

(a) to satisfy him-

8
(i) that the craft is properly constructed and equipped; and

(ii) that the form and construction of the fishing nets, fishing gear and other equipment intended

for use in fishing are adequate for the purpose of the fishing operation;

(b) to supply such other information as he may require to enable him to reach a decision on the

application.

3. Issuance and validity of licence

(1) The Commissioner shall issue to a successful applicant a licence for the craft subject to such

conditions as he may deem necessary.

(2) A licence issued under this Act shall be valid for one year and expire on 31 December every

year.

(3) Where the craft is to be operated in a body of water shared by two or more States, the owner

or operator of the craft shall not be required to obtain more than one licence in a particular year.

(4)The holder of a licence under this Act shall, not later than one month before its expiration,

apply to the Commissioner for a licence to take effect from the expiry of the current licence.

4. Identification mark on fishing craft

(1) The owner or operator of a craft shall exhibit the registration number of the craft on both

sides of the craft in bold letters with a prefix reflecting the State of registration.

(2) A person who fails to exhibit a registration number on his craft as required under subsection

(1) of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N250 or

imprisonment for a term of three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

9
5. Restriction on use of fishing gear, etc.
(1) No person shall fish with a gear constructed with net webbing of less than 76 millimetres

except where the gear consists of-

(a) pelagic trawl nets used for freshwater sardines, that is, clupeids, which are used with outboard

engines of not more than 25 horsepower capable of operating trawl net with three millimetres

codend; or

(b) lift nets used for freshwater sardines constructed with three to five millimetres stretched mesh

webbing.

(2) No single fishing unit shall operate with a single net or a combination of nets exceeding 500

metres of three millimetres mesh size and above.

(3) A person who contravenes a provision of subsection (1) or (2) of this section commits an

offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500 or imprisonment for a term of six months or

to both such fine and imprisonment and, in addition, the net and catch shall be forfeited to the

government of the State in which the offence was committed.

6. Prohibition of unorthodox fishing methods

(1) Except for electro-fishing and the use of chemicals for the purpose of research, no person

shall take or destroy or attempt to take or destroy any fish within the inland waters of Nigeria by

any of the following methods, that is-

(a) the use of explosive substances;

(b) the use of noxious or poisonous matter; or

(c) the use of electricity.

10
(2) A person who contravenes a provision of subsection (1) of this section commits an offence

and is liable on conviction to a fine of N3,000 or imprisonment for a term of two years or to both

such fine and imprisonment.

7. Declaration of catch, etc.

(1) The operator of a craft in respect of which a licence has been issued under this Act shall-

(a) declare his catch to a nominated government agent when required to do so by the government

agent;

(b) permit a Commissioner or a person authorised by him or a government agent to inspect the

catch either before or after it has been landed; and

(c) give the Commissioner, person or government agent, as the case may be, all reasonable

facilities in respect of the inspection of the catch.

(2) A person who contravenes a provision of subsection (1) of this section is guilty of an offence

and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500 or imprisonment for a term of three months or both

such fine and imprisonment.

8. Prohibition of export or import of live fish, etc.

(1) No person shall export or import a live fish or any other aquatic animal without the

permission of the Minister.

(2) A person who contravenes a provision of subsection (1) of this section commits an offence

and is liable on conviction to a fine of N25,000 or imprisonment for a term of five years or to

both such fine and imprisonment and, in addition, the fish or aquatic ani- mal shall be forfeited to

the Federal Government.

11
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the Minister may, from time

to time, export or import a specialised specie of fish or other aquatic animal for the purpose of

exchange of fishery information or for research.

9. Closed areas and seasons

(1) A Commissioner may at his discretion declare as closed, for the purpose of fishing within the

jurisdiction of a State, such area or season as he may deem fit and the Minister may at his

discretion declare as closed, for the same purpose, a body of water shared by two or more States.

(2) A person who fishes in a closed area or during a closed season in contravention of subsection

(1) of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N3,000 or

imprisonment for a term of two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

10. Construction of dams, weirs, barriers, etc.

(1) The appropriate authority shall regulate and control the building of dams, weirs or other fixed

barriers or obstructions to ensure a free movement of fish, and where permission is granted to a

person to build a dam, weir or other fixed barrier or obstruction, fish ladders shall be built to

ensure free movement of fish.

(2) A person who contravenes a provision of subsection (1) of this section commits an offence

and is liable on conviction to a fine of N50,000 or imprisonment for a term of ten years or to

both such fine and imprisonment and, in addition, the dam, weir or other fixed barrier or

obstruction, if any, shall be destroyed.

(3) In this section, "appropriate authority" means the body charged with the responsibility for

matters relating to the construction of dams and other fixed barriers.

12
11. Protection of fish or fish products against contamination and infection
(1) No person shall spray noxious chemicals on fish or fish products and no contaminated,

infected or spoiled fish shall be sold or offered for sale.

(2) A person who contravenes a provision of subsection (1) of this section commits an offence

and is liable on conviction to a fine of N200 or imprisonment for a term of two months or to both

such fine and imprisonment and, in addition, the contaminated, infected or spoiled fish or fish

product shall be destroyed.

12. Offences by bodies corporate, etc.

Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body corporate or firm or other association of

individuals-

(a) every director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate; or

(b) every partner or officer of the firm; or

(c) every trustee of the body concerned; or

(d) every person concerned in the management of the affairs of the association; or

(e) every person who was purporting to act in a capacity referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d) of

this section, is severally guilty of that offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished

for that offence in the same manner as if he had himself committed the offence unless he proves

that the act or omission constituting the offence took place without his knowledge, consent or

connivance.

13. Enforcement
(1) The provisions of this Act shall be enforced by such officers as may be authorised by the

Minister or Commissioner, as the case may be.

13
(2) An authorised officer may within the inland waters of Nigeria for the purposes of enforcing a

provision of this Act-

(a) require the owner or operator of a craft in respect of which a licence has been issued to

exhibit his licence, fishing apparatus and catch;

(b) go on board a craft to search and examine the craft and any fishing apparatus that may be

there and collect statistical information; and

(c) where there is reason to suspect that an offence under this Act has been committed, take the

alleged offender and the craft, fishing apparatus and catch to the most convenient post or police

station.

(3) The power vested in an authorised officer under subsection (2) of this section may be

exercised by him without warrant, summons or other legal process.

(4) A craft or fishing apparatus taken from an alleged offender under paragraph (c) of subsection

(2) of this section may be detained pending the sale of the catch, and the proceeds of the sale

shall be retained pending the trial.

14. Return of craft, apparatus, etc., to lawful owner

Any craft, fishing apparatus or money detained or retained under subsection (4) of section 13 of

this Act shall, unless forfeited under the provisions of this Act, be returned to the person from

whom it was taken or to its lawful owner.

15. Regulations
Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Minister may make regulations- (a) to provide

guidelines aimed at encouraging persons engaged in the fishing industry to make voluntary

arrangements on a comparative or other basis for the selling of fish or the buying of equipment,

14
supplies and other requisites for the fishing industry and to provide for financial or other

assistance for bringing the arrangement into operation;

(b) to regulate the handling, processing and storage of fish or fish products on craft or on-shore

and the times and places at and in which the landing of fish may be effected;

(c) for the registration of distributors and retailers of fish or fish products and of any premises

used for the distribution or retailing and for the accounting and the records to be kept and the

information to be furnished by them in relation to their business;

(d) for the maintenance of good order among the persons engaged in fishing and in the fishing

industry and the regulation of any other matter or thing relating to the protection of fish and the

administration of the fishing industry;

(e) generally for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.

(2) The Minister or Commissioner, as the case may be, shall determine whether enclosures,

including pens and cages used for fish, shall attract a licence fee or not.

15
 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 METHODLOGY

3.1 Study Area

The study was carried out in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State; The Borgu Local

Government Area is an administrative region in Niger State Nigeria. One of 25 Local

Government Area (LGAS) in that state with the Headquarters in the town of New Bussa. The

postal code is 913, The Borgu LGA was formerly part of Kwara State, but on 27 August 1991 it

was transferred to Niger State. New Bussa site at 9 0 53N 9.8880N and 4031E, 40.5170E (NIPOST

Archive, 2009).

This project was carried out in New Bussa two fishing communities namely; Yuna and Fakun

Fish Landing sites

3.2 Sampling Procedure

The population of the study area comprises of fishermen . Eighty (80) structured questionnaires

were designed where 40 each was administered to respondents, Fakun and Yuna fishng villages).

Responses were obtained with the aid of interview guide. Forty (40) questionnaires each were

administered. Seventy Nine Questionnaire was retrieved.

3.3 Method of Data Collection

Primary data and secondary was used for this Study. The data were collected using

questionnaire.

16
3.4 Method of Data Analysis

The data collected were analysed using descriptive and influencial statistics. Frequency

distribution and percentages were used to categorize respondents based on socio economic

characteristics, types of craft used, level of awareness act and level of compliance

17
 CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 RESULTS
Table 1: Socio Economic Distributions of the Respondents

Variable Frequency Percentage

Gender
Male 77 97.5
Female 2 2.5
Total 79 100

Age (in years)

20-30 9 11.4
31-41 10 12.7
42-52 12 15.2
53-63 24 30.2
64 and above 24 30.2
Total 79 100
Marital status
Single 2 2.5
Married 77 97.5
Total 79 100

Religion
Islam 79 100
Total 100 100
Education
No formal 77 97.5
Secondary 2 2.5
Total 79 100

Household size (in numbers)

1-3 6 7.6
4-6 7 8.9
7-9 12 15.2
Above 10 54 68.4
Total 79 100
Fishing experience
1-3 1 1.3
7-9 6 7.6
10 and above 72 91.1
Total 79 100
Field survey, 2024

18
Data on the socio economic characteristics of the respondents are shown on Table .1. majority

(30%) of the respondents were within age bracket of 53-63years. 77% of the respondents are

married, while only 2% of them were single. The study showed that (77%) of the respondents

had no formal education while only 2% had secondary education. Also, 68.4% of the

respondents had above 10 household members while 15.2% of them had 5 household members

and below. Only 17% of them had 11-15 household members. 91.1% of the respondents had

more than 10years of experience in fishing. While 7.6% of them had 7-9years of experience in

fishing. The results showed that the respondents are already experts in fish with different types

of craft.

19
Table 4.2: Types of Craft Usage

Craft Frequency Percentage

Non Motorised 58 72.5

Motorised 22 27.5

Field survey, 2024

Table 2 shows the type of craft used by the respondents. (72.5%) of the respondents used non

motorized crafts while 27.5% of the respondents use non motorised.

Table 4.3: Awareness of the provision of Act

20
Provision of Act concerning craft usage FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
Possession of licence
Not Aware 27 34.2
Aware 52 65.8
TOTAL 79 100
Application of license
Not Aware 27 34
Aware 52 65.8
TOTAL 79 100
Issuance of license
Not Aware 27 34.2
Aware 52 65.8
TOTAL 79 100
Identification mark on craft
Not Aware 27 34.2
Aware 65.8 65.8
TOTAL 79 100
Field survey, 2024

Table 3 above shows the level of awareness of the respondents on the provisional act of fishing.

65.8% of the farmers are aware of the possession of license, application of license, issuance of

license and identification mark on craft respectively, while 34.2% are not aware..

TABLE 4: LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE OF THE FISHERS IN THE FISHING LANDING

SITES
21
PROVISION OF ACT CONCERNING CRAFT USAGE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
Possession of license
NON- COMPLIANCE 29 36.7
COMPLIANCE 50 63.3
TOTAL 79 100
Application of license
NON- COMPLIANCE 29 36.7
COMPLIANCE 50 63.3
79 100
TOTAL
Issuance of license
NON- COMPLIANCE 29 36.7
COMPLIANCE 50 63.3
TOTAL 79 100
Identification mark on craft
NON- COMPLIANCE 29 36.7
COMPLIANCE 50 63.3
79 100
TOTAL
Field survey, 2024

Table 4 above shows the level of compliance of the respondents on the provision of act

concerning craft usage. 63.3% of the farmers complied on possession of license, application of

license, issuance of license and identification mark on craft respectively, while 36.7% do not

comply.. Almost 91.1% of the respondents comply to the restriction on the use of fishing gear

while 8.9% do not comply. Majority 51.9% of the respondents comply to the prohibition of

export or import of live fish while 48.1% do not comply. On closed area and seasons, all 100%

of the respondents comply to the act. 77%, and 50.6%, of the respondents, do not comply to the

Construction of dams, weirs, barriers, etc. and Offences by bodies corporate, etc. Majority of the

respondents 100% comply to Enforcement, and Return of craft, apparatus, etc., to lawful owner

respectively.

4.2 DISCUSSION

22
The result of the present study showed that males were much more than the females in the

landing sites. This is in agreement with the study of (Kwen et al., 2013). Who recorded higher

number of males in Survey of fishing gear in Igbedi creek, Niger Delta. Age is very important

factor that affects overall stamina and level of productivity. The age range of the respondents

falls between the active age of Nigeria’s economic work force of 15-64years (NBS, 2016).

Majority of the respondents are married in the landing site which is in line with the findings of

Ekong, 2023). The level of education in the study area shows that majority of the fishers have no

formal education, this is in line with the report of Nwabeze and Eric, 2013. The present study

reveal the year of fishing experience, majority of the fishers had 10 and above years experience

at the landing site. This is in agreement with (Enaikele and Olutayo, 2010).

The fishers with motorized craft are very few compared to non motorized craft users. This is the

same with the work of Holzlohner and Nwosu, 2014.

Awareness of the provisions of the act concerning Craft Usage.

The results showed that most of the fishers are aware of the Act on possession of license,

application of license, issuance of license and identification mark on craft. This result is contrary

to Binaebi et al., 2019 with 0% awareness who worked on Craft Usage and Policy Compliance in

Two Fish Landing Sites Along Bonny River in Rivers State.

Compliance to the provision of the act

The result showed the compliance of the fishers to the provision of the act. There was high

compliance to the provisions of act of possession of license, application of license, issuance of

license and identification mark on craft by fishers on the fish landing sites. This result is contrary

to Binaebi et al 2019 with 0% compliance who worked on Craft Usage and Policy Compliance in

Two Fish Landing Sites Along Bonny River in Rivers State.

23
 CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 CONCLUSION

The survey of the craft usage and policy compliance at Yuna and Fakun call for urgent need for

policy review and implementation. Although majority of the fishers had none motorised craft,

they cannot be prosecuted as the law made provision for only motorised craft to be licensed.

5.2 RECOMMENDATION

• The study therefore recommends that there is need for awareness programme through the

ministry of Agriculture to educate the fishers review the Inland fisheries Act of 1992 on

craft usage by including licensing of non-motorised crafts and ensure enforcements.

24
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