Explorative analysis of the effect of inland fisheries decree on sustainable exploitation of inland fisheries in Lagos state, Nigeria

Abstract

The drive to achieve sustainable and socially beneficial exploitation of the fishery resources led to the promulgation of the Inland Fisheries Decree 108 of 1992. The objective of this study was focused on whether the inland fisheries decree has significantly curbed the various threats to inland fishery stocks and the development of artisanal fishery Four communities (Ibeshe, Iyagbe, Agbowa-Ikosi and Ebute-Afuye) in Lagos State were purposively selected. With the aid of simple random sampling, 309 fisher folks were interviewed. Thirty (30) fisher folks were arranged for FGDs in each of the communities and group discussants were stratified into adult men, women and youths. The key informants interviewed were traditional rulers and the head of fisher folks. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Chi-square. With 0.05 level of significant, the null hypothesis was rejected. The study concludes that the fisher folks’ perception of the fisheries decree is significantly related to conformity with the decree. The provisions of the decree did not exhaust the register of threats to artisanal fishery. The decree did not address the problem of pollution and open access regime in artisanal fishery. The decree is grossly violated by the artisanal fisher folks. They use small mesh nets and unorthodox (plant derived poison) fishing methods. The reasons for the violation of the decree were: penalties for violation are too cheap to have any impact; and poor monitoring and enforcement of the decree. The study recommends that government should invest the authority to manage and control the exploitation of fishery resources on the artisanal fisher folks..The decree should be reviewed and be well enforced. Such a review should accommodate wider consultation of fishery experts, as well as participatory in-puts, mobilization and sensitization of artisanal fisher folks