Authors : B.P. Kwaji, O.A. Sogbesan and K.J. Peter
Abstract: Artisanal fishery has been of immense importance to human existence worldwide. Fishing regulations have not been effective due to non-compliance. This is disastrous to the fisheries as it could lead to collapse and fishery closure. The study was carried out to ascertain the fisher’s compliance with fishing regulations in lakes Geriyo and Ribadu, Nigeria. Data were collected through surveys and enumerator interview from forty-two respondents; twenty-one in each lake. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test with Microsoft Excel 2007. Result shows that ban on explosives was the most complied regulation in lake Geriyo (100%) while the most violated was mesh size regulation (47%). In lake Ribadu, ban on explosives was also the most complied regulation (100%) while the least was also mesh size regulation (33.33%). The respondent’s compliance in the lakes was significant (p<0.05). Economic reason was the primary and leading motive for non-compliance with regulations in the study areas. Government should tackle fisher’s low economic status, invest in their education, enlighten them on the need for conservation, step-up regulation enforcement and integrate the fishers as key stakeholders in any fisheries management plan.
B.P. Kwaji, O.A. Sogbesan and K.J. Peter, 2019. Compliance with Fishing Regulations in Lakes Geriyo and Ribadu, North Eastern Nigeria. Journal of Fisheries International, 14: 19-22.