Tragedy of the commons: profiling the challenges responsible for depleting Lagos Lagoon Fisheries,

Lagos Lagoon, as one of the major water bodies in Lagos State, Nigeria, supports diverse edible fish species that contribute significantly to food security, income, employment, and transportation. This study investigates the factors responsible for the declining fish stocks in the Lagoon, focusing on three purposively selected artisanal fishing communities: Makoko, Ebute-Ilaje, and Badore. Using a simplerandom sampling technique, 150 respondents (50 per community) were surveyed through questionnaires, supported with focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and direct observations. Findings revealed that the open-access nature of the Lagoon, use of small mesh nets, industrial waste, domestic sewage, plastic and solid waste, oil spills, dredging, and sand mining are key contributors to the fish stock depletion. Weak monitoring and enforcement of fisheries and environmental regulations further exacerbates the problem. The study recommends a holistic management approach involving government intervention in waste treatment, ecological monitoring, urban planning, and active community participation to restore the Lagoon’s ecological integrity and ensure sustainable fisheries.