Assessment of Fishing Gears, Crafts and Operational Challenges Among Artisanal Fishers in The Lower River Niger at Itobe, Kogi State, Central Nigeria

This study assessed the fishing gears, crafts and operational challenges of artisanal fishermen operating in the lower River Niger at Itobe, Kogi State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews from 160 randomly selected fishermen across three communities (Kabawa, Lebrafu, and Genumazu) between June and August 2024. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that artisanal fishing in the area is predominantly male-dominated (82.5%) and youth-driven, with most respondents aged between 18 and 30 years. Cast nets (68.8%) and gill nets (56.3%) were the most commonly used gears while planked canoes propelled by paddles were the dominant craft type (75.6%). The study identified critical challenges including theft, low quality, cost and limited access to fishing gears and crafts thereby making the fishermen to operate at a subsistence level. Schemes to ensure access to durable and quality gears and motorized crafts through subsidies, credit schemes, or cooperative societies should be facilitated by the government and non-governmental organizations. They should enhance security, provide support to the farmers through extension services especially on new technology in fishing gears and crafts and their operations.