World Aquaculture 63 OMR in collaboration with African Regional Centre for Technology (ARCT) developed the Chorkor oven, an improved fish processing technology that has assisted in the reduction of postharvest losses. However, there is a low adoption rate of improved technologies because of inappropriate extension methods or because the introduced methods have incremental cost implications that the fisherfolk cannot afford. Fisheries extension officers from NIOMR, NIFFR and Agricultural Development Authority (ADP) also address some problems of fish farmers, especially in the areas of fish pond management (Ajana 1995). This may result in increased fish production. Extension agents also help in the enforcement of fisheries laws and regulations (NSFD 1997), which could improve the productivity of the water bodies. Farmers also source their fingerlings from these institutes, including ADP. Nevertheless, fishing communities are vulnerable to changes in macro-economic policies, such as the removal of a subsidy on fishing inputs (DFIDFAO 2002). This results in higher cost of fishing inputs, potential reduction in returns and the ability to invest in improved production methods. Livelihood strategies Livelihood strategies refer to the range and combination of activities and choices that people make or undertake to achieve their livelihood goals. It is a dynamic process in which people combine various assets they can access, taking account of vulnerability context, supported or obstructed by policies, institutions and processes leading to livelihood outcomes. In fishing communities, livelihood strategies fully depend on natural resources. Fishermen are highly mobile in response to movement of the fish stock in lagoons, rivers and floodplains and are organized into co–operative societies. Different types of gear are employed by fishermen according to fishing season and whether motorized and non-motorized boats are used. For example, fish fences are constructed when floods are receding, thus preventing fish from returning to the river. The fish are then caught with other types of fishing gear such as gill nets, hooks, gura and egun traps. Cross-channel lift nets are commonly used as the flood begins to rise. They are removed during the highest water level but are operated again after the flood has fallen about halfway (Reed et al. 1967). Motorized boats are used when fishing in deeper waters and non-motorized in shallow waters. Youths in fishing communities also migrate to urban centers for employment opportunities outside fishing, leaving behind other members of the families in the villages who may engage in other non-fishing activities, such as crop farming and petty trading. Livelihood outcomes Positive livelihood outcomes can be thought of as the inverse of poverty. In spite of poor resources, livelihood outcome of fishermen is positive. The contribution of fish to total animal protein intake in the fishing communities is very high and most of the fish consumed come from capture fisheries (Gomna 2005), suggesting that fishing communities mainly depend on fish for their protein requirement and highlights the need for sustainable management of these systems. Fisheries contribute to the livelihoods of the fishermen through improved food supply, employment and income. Artisanal fisheries account for 70-90 percent of the annual income of fishing communities in Nigeria (DFID– FAO 2002). Conclusion Capture fishery is the main source of fish in the fishing communities in Nigeria, contributing 85 percent by weight to fish consumed (Gomna 2005) and highlighting the importance of this system to livelihoods of fishing communities. Priority should, therefore, be given to promoting and enhancing the availability of fish stocks in rivers and lagoons. This could be done through improvements of fisheries in publicly accessible waters. Simple adaptations in the design of irrigation systems can also enhance their suitability for fish rearing. Local management systems should be used and developed as far as possible to promote collective responsibility and equitable access and benefit. Production of low-cost fish for consumption by the poor should be encouraged. This could be done by supporting fisheries – small scale or large scale, capture or culture – whose production is likely to make a major contribution to fish supplies used by the local poor. Support could be in the form of technical assistance, infrastructure development, extension services or subsidies. Notes 1Federal College of Education, P.M.B. 39, Kontagora, Niger state, Nigeria Email : agomna@yahoo.co.uk References Ajana, A.M. 1995. A diagnostic survey of the status of aquaculture (fish farming) in Lagos state. A refills project of the National Agriculture Research Project (NARP). Lagos, Nigeria: Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research. Anetekhai, M.A. 2002. Fisheries and National empowerment. An inaugural lecture of Lagos State University. Ashley, C. and D. Carney. 1999. Sustainable livelihoods: lessons from early experience. Department for International Development (DFID). London: DFID. Carney, D. 1998. Sustainable Rural Livelihoods. What contribution can we make? Papers presented at the Department for International Development’s Natural Resources Advisers’ Conference. London: DFID. DFID-FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization- Department for International Development). 2002. Contribution of fisheries Research to the improvement of Livelihoods in West African Fisheries Communities: Case study of Nigeria. Rome: DFIDFAO. Gomna, A. 2005. The role of traditional aquaculture systems and fish in food security and livelihoods of fishing communities in two states in Nigeria. Unpublished PhD thesis. Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK. Jazairy, I; Alamgir, M and T. Panuccio. 1992. The state of world (Continued on page 68)
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