Survey of Fishing Gear and Status of Fishers in Igbedi Creek, Nigeria Delta, Nigeria

A survey of fishing gear in Igbedi Creek, Niger Delta Area was carried out for six months from September 2012 to February 2013 to assess the types of fishing gear mostly used by fishers in this Creek. Five communities namely: Igbedi, Agorobene, Ogobiri, Toru-Ebene and Otuan were selected for the sampling framework. A total of 200 questionnaires were given out, 40 to each community. A two stage random sampling technique was adopted in the selection of fishers. Data collected was analyzed by using simple descriptive statistics, frequency and percentages. The greatest proportion (34.00%) of the fishers interviewed were within the agile age bracket of 30-39 years while 5.50% were within the non-active age (50 and above). Female fishers accounted for 61.00% while the males were 39.00%. Majority of the fishers (57.50%) were Ijaws and married fishers recorded the highest percentage (52.50%). Three types of fishing gears, hook and line, trap and net were used by the fishers. Net had the highest percentage (46.00%) while hook and line had the lowest percentage (7.50%). Most of the fishers (56.00%) generated about N2,500 to N3,000 as daily income while 17.50% realized more than N1,500 as daily income. Challenges affecting successful fishing operations include lack of fund to purchase fishing inputs, difficulty in accessing loans amongst others and proffered solutions were provision of fishing inputs at subsidized rate, provision of loans to fishers, provision of adequate extension services and others.