This article is designed to enable understanding of the concept of fisheries development. Fisheries development aims at achieving the full potential of the sector through growth and improvement. It involves the expansion of fishing effort, improvement in post-harvest technology, marketing and transportation of fishery products, and the provision of infrastructure and other related facilities.
Definition of Fisheries Development
Fishery development is a process towards achieving the full potential of the sector through growth and improvement. It includes the expansion of fishing effort, improvement in post-harvest technology, marketing and transportation of fishery products, as well as the provision of infrastructure and other related facilities.
In fisheries, development may also be defined as a process of change through which sustainable and equitable improvements are made to the quality of life for most or all members of society (Bailey and Jentoft, 1990).
A fishery is being developed if:
i. The biomass is being reduced by fishing, rebuilt after depletion, or enhanced to increase its productivity.
ii. The quality of the catch or its value improves, not necessarily increasing the harvest.
iii. Under an ecosystem approach to fisheries, development may be achieved through the reduction of the negative environmental impact and/or increasing resilience of the system to unexpected changes, meeting broader societal objectives.
Examples of fisheries development interventions include fish subsidy, fuel subsidy, motorisation, credit, marketing infrastructure, improved post-harvest technology, and promotion of cooperatives.
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Goals of Sustainable Fisheries Development
The need for sustainability implies that improvements should be achieved without risk to the long-term stability of the ecosystem. The World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainable development is also defined as the management and conservation of the natural resource base and the orientation of technological and institutional change in a way and manner to ensure the attainment and continued satisfaction of human needs for present and future generations.
Such development conserves land, water, plant and genetic resources, is environmentally non-degrading, technologically appropriate, economically viable, and socially acceptable (FAO Committee on Fisheries, 1991).
The goals of sustainable fisheries development are:
- To improve the welfare of stakeholders directly or indirectly in the fisheries sector as well as the national productive system.
- To establish a more sustainable and optimal use of the available fisheries resources (FAO, 2013).
Issues in Fisheries Development in Nigeria
Neiland et al. (2002) identified four key issues in the management and sustainability of fisheries in Nigeria’s inland waters:
- Environmental change.
- Exogenous factors.
- Fisheries management.
- Fisheries policy and implementation.
Environmental Changes and Exogenous Factors that Affect Water and Fisheries Development in Nigeria
The environmental changes that have been found to affect both water and fisheries development in Nigeria over the years include:
- Droughts, such as in Lake Chad (1972/1974, early 80s).
- Changes in water quality due to pollution from oil exploration, exploitation and transporting activities, mineral extraction, agricultural and deforestation activities, and changing urban and rural land uses.
- Dam construction across rivers, such as Kainji, Shiroro, and Tiga. The construction of dams has many controversial issues surrounding them, such as flooding in some areas of a water body and drought or less water supply in others.
- Withdrawal of water for irrigation. Several irrigation projects in Nigeria have direct and indirect effects on ground and surface waters.
The exogenous factors that affect fisheries include:
- Human population pressure.
- Deforestation.
- Poverty.
- Demand for food.
Constraints to Sustainable Fisheries Development in Nigeria
The challenges to sustainable fisheries development in Nigeria include:
- Inadequate knowledge of the fisheries resources and ecosystem based on low and weak scientific data to update laws, other relevant information, and policies.
- Little or no interaction between the government and stakeholders, leading to low stakeholder input in policy-making, and a top-bottom approach is often used.
- Low financial capability to meet specific needs, with minimal resources invested in both fisheries management and development activities.
- Low capacity to police coastal zones to enforce existing laws, with a lack of strong political will to do so.
- Many agricultural policies are not specific and may not include programmes or projects for accomplishing set goals.
- Inconsistencies in the policies and programmes of governments.
- Inadequate technical and extension services.
- Lack of monitoring and evaluation of programmes or projects.
- Inadequate supply of inputs to artisanal fishermen.
- Changing nature of seasonal streams, rivers, and pools, and poor management of water bodies, leading to low productivity.
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Methods of Achieving Sustainable Fisheries Development
Sustainable fisheries development can be achieved through responsible fishing. This involves rational fisheries management objectives that address issues like the status of the resource, the health of the environment, post-harvest technology, trade and other economic concerns, social benefits, and legal and administrative support. Caddy and Griffiths (1995) proposed the following methods to achieve responsible fisheries:
- Regulation of fishing efforts by avoiding financial incentives that contribute to excess fishing capacity.
- Establishment of a code of conduct for responsible fishing to guide management plans.
- Establishment and support of regional/international fishery commissions and organisations to manage shared resources.
- Regular consultation among harvesting countries.
- Setting agreed management objectives and related reference points, incorporating a precautionary approach.
- Developing contingency plans.
- Developing mechanisms for resolving user conflicts.
- Protecting biodiversity and the environment.
- Promoting research.
- Optimising social and economic stability.
Fisheries development is necessary, but resources have to be used sustainably and responsibly. Rational fisheries management objectives should address issues like the status of the resource, the health of the environment, post-harvest technology, trade and economic concerns, social benefits, and legal and administrative support.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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