Current assessment and classification of fishing gears and crafts deployed by fisherfolks in Oguta Lake, Imo State Nigeria

The study was carried out to examine the fishing gears and crafts used in Oguta Lake, Imo state, Nigeria. The study was conducted within the period of three (3) months (Oct 2023 – Dec 2023) to identify the major fishing gear and crafts used in Oguta Lake, to determine the socio-economic characteristics of the fisher folks, and to identify problems associated with the gear and crafts used. One of the significant problems in Oguta Lake is the widespread use of inappropriate fishing gear by local fishermen. Many fishermen continue to employ non-selective and destructive gears, such as fine mesh nets and poison substances due to the cost and expensiveness of appropriate fishing gears and crafts. The frame and catch assessment survey method was used for the study. Analytical tools used include descriptive statistics and the Likert scale. Results obtained from the study showed that gillnet was the major fishing gear used in Oguta Lake while one-man dugout canoe was the major fishing craft used. The study also showed that the majority of the fisherfolks are male (99.9%). The mean age of the fisher folks was 35 with a mean family size of 7. The majority of the fishers are not full-time fishers. The estimated income generated by the majority of the fisherfolks is N30,000 -N40,000 per month. However, overfishing, habitat destruction, regulatory challenges, pollution, unsustainable practices, socio-economic impact and bycatch were major challenges associated with the gears, while lack of suitability and stability, limited space and weight capacity are problems present with the gear. Therefore, it is recommended that the provision of loans and fishing gear to the fishers will increase productivity which will in turn increase catch. Also, the construction of a robust and stabilised planked canoe to compensate for the shortage of large dugout canoes and the unavailability of timbers is recommended.