STRATEGIES FOR MEETING THE FISHING INPUT REQUIREMENTS OF ARTISANAL FISHERIES IN COASTAL AREAS OF ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The strategies for meeting the fishing input requirements of artisanal fisheries were studied in coastal areas of Ondo State. Data were obtained from two hundred and sixteen artisans using simple random sampling technique. Structured interview scheduled was used to obtain information from the respondents. Data were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistic such as frequency counts and percentage. Chi-square was used to test relationships between the variables. The results showed that 62.0% were male artisans compared to 38.0% female. Also, 74.1% were married, 34.3% had secondary education and 73.6% had fifteen years and above fishing experience. Loan was highly rated as the strategy for meeting the fishing input requirements by artisans while fund was the major problem. The chi-square analysis showed that strategies for meeting the fishing input requirement of artisans indicated significant association with Age (χ² = 0.01, p < 0.05) and education (χ² = 0.01, p < 0.05) while gender had no significant relationship (χ² = 0.06, p > 0.05). Based on the study, it was recommended that artisans should be enlightened on the advantage of forming and joining fishermen association as a group through which their request on fishing input requirements to government and Non-governmental organizations can be met and the easiest means of sourcing for fund within their locality.