Nigerian Fisheries sector in the last half a decade with emphasis on production, species, challenges, and efforts at diversification
This review evaluates the Nigerian fisheries sector from 2019 to 2023, highlighting persistent challenges such as overfishing, climate change, and infrastructure deficits that have impacted production and species diversity, while assessing the mixed results of government initiatives like the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in driving diversification and sustainable development.
Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This is an AI-generated explanation of the paper below. It is not written or endorsed by the authors. For technical accuracy, refer to the original paper. Read full disclaimer
Fish are more than just a meal; for millions of people in Nigeria, they are a lifeline. The country's waters, stretching from the vast Niger River to the Atlantic coast, provide the primary source of animal protein for a population that numbers in the hundreds of millions. This sector is a massive engine for the economy, employing over ten million people directly and indirectly, and contributing significantly to the nation's wealth. However, this vital resource faces a perfect storm of pressures. The fish are not just being caught; they are being caught faster than they can reproduce, their habitats are being poisoned by agricultural runoff and oil spills, and the water itself is changing due to a warming climate. When the water gets too hot or too salty, fish struggle to survive, and when the rivers are clogged with pollution, the food chain collapses. The result is a growing gap between the amount of fish Nigerians need to eat and the amount the country can actually produce, forcing the nation to spend billions of dollars importing frozen fish from abroad.
A recent review by Ezekiel Doyin Adewoye of Obafemi Awolowo University takes a close look at how Nigeria's fisheries have fared over the last five years, from 2019 to 2023. The researcher did not go out to catch fish personally; instead, they gathered and analyzed a vast collection of existing data from government reports, international organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization, and scientific studies. By piecing together these fragmented records, the review paints a clear picture of a sector in transition, struggling to balance the urgent need for food with the urgent need to protect the environment. The findings reveal a story of two different worlds: the wild fish being pulled from rivers and oceans, which are becoming scarcer and smaller, and the fish being raised in farms, which are growing rapidly but still cannot fully meet the nation's hunger.
The most striking trend in the wild is a steady decline. For decades, artisanal fishers—those using small boats and simple nets—have dominated the catch. But in recent years, their haul has dropped significantly. In the 1990s, these fishers brought in about 450,000 metric tons of fish annually. By the 2020s, that number had fallen to roughly 290,000 metric tons. This drop is not just a matter of bad luck; it is the result of overfishing, where fish are caught faster than they can grow back, and the use of destructive methods. Some fishers use nets with holes so small they catch baby fish before they can ever reproduce, while others use explosives or toxic plant extracts that kill everything in the water, leaving the ecosystem barren. The review highlights that in major fishing zones like the Niger Delta and Lake Chad, fish stocks are depleted, and the average size of the fish being caught is shrinking. Species that were once common, such as certain types of catfish and the Nile perch, are now rare or have disappeared entirely from some areas.
While the wild catch is shrinking, the farm-raised catch is rising, offering a glimmer of hope. The review shows that aquaculture, or fish farming, is becoming the backbone of Nigeria's fish supply. The star of this show is the African catfish, a hardy and fast-growing species that thrives in tanks and ponds. Catfish now make up about 60% of all fish farmed in the country, followed by tilapia. This shift is driven by necessity; with wild fish becoming harder to find, farmers have turned to raising their own. The government has tried to support this transition through various programs, such as the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, which aimed to install fish cages in strategic locations and build dedicated markets. These efforts have helped increase production, with catfish farming alone reaching over 275,000 metric tons in recent years. However, even with this growth, the country still faces a massive shortfall. Nigeria needs about 2.66 million metric tons of fish each year to feed its people, but domestic production, including both wild catch and farming, only provides about 780,000 metric tons. This leaves a gap of nearly two million metric tons that must be filled by imports, costing the nation over a billion dollars annually.
The challenges facing the sector go far beyond just catching or farming fish. The environment itself is under attack. The review details how agricultural runoff, carrying fertilizers and pesticides, flows into rivers and lakes, causing algae blooms that suck the oxygen out of the water and suffocate fish. In some coastal areas, rising sea levels are pushing saltwater into freshwater systems, killing off species that cannot tolerate the change. Climate change is making these problems worse, with water temperatures rising faster than the global average, pushing fish beyond their limits. Additionally, illegal fishing by foreign vessels, which often use advanced gear to scoop up vast amounts of fish, continues to drain Nigeria's resources. The country lacks the patrol boats and surveillance technology needed to stop these intruders, leaving its waters vulnerable.
Despite these daunting obstacles, the review suggests that the path forward is clear, though difficult. The solution lies in a combination of better science, stricter laws, and smarter farming. The research institutions in Nigeria, such as the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, are working on better breeding techniques and more sustainable farming methods. The government needs to enforce existing laws against illegal fishing and pollution more strictly, ensuring that fish can grow to maturity before being caught. There is also a need to invest in infrastructure, such as cold storage facilities and better roads, to reduce the massive amount of fish that spoils before it reaches the market. Currently, more than 30% of the catch is lost to spoilage, a waste that could be prevented with modern equipment.
The review concludes that while Nigeria has made progress in shifting toward fish farming, the transition is incomplete. The sector is caught between the declining productivity of wild fisheries and the growing but still insufficient output of aquaculture. To secure the future of the industry, the country must treat its water not just as a resource to be harvested, but as a fragile ecosystem that needs protection. By combining the hard work of local fish farmers with stronger government policies and international cooperation, Nigeria has the potential to close the gap between supply and demand. The goal is not just to feed the population today, but to ensure that the rivers and lakes remain healthy enough to provide food for generations to come. The path is steep, and the challenges are real, but the blueprint for a sustainable future is already within reach.
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