Sustainability of Artisanal Fishers Livelihoods in the Jebba Lake Basin, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined sustainability of artisanal fishers’ livelihoods in the Jebba Lake Basin, Nigeria. The objectives of the study are to; identify livelihoods activities of the respondents, examine the assets base of the respondents, carry out sustainability assessment of fishery production. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 402 respondents for the study. Semi-structured interview schedule was employed for data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (percentages, mean, and standard deviation), and inferential statistics (sustainability index and Herfindel livelihood index). Most respondents (88.6%) were engaged in non-fishing livelihood activities especially crop farming and livestock rearing. The study found that respondents’ access to fishing ground (mean=4.66, SD= 0.61)) and agricultural land (mean=3.61, SD= 0.89) was sustainable. Social assets among the respondents indicated good entry point for policy advocacy and intervention. The sustainability index (0.57) of the respondents indicated that the livelihoods of the respondents are unsustainable. The Herfindel livelihood diversification index (LDIH = 0.43) revealed a high level of diversification among the respondents. The study concludes that fisheries livelihoods in the Jebba Lake Basin are unsustainable to the fishers’ household. It is recommended that government should enhance fisheries activities by making available adequate mitigating strategies for increased and sustainable fish yield.

Keywords

• Sustainability
• non-fishing livelihood activities and livelihood assets