Abstract:
This Study was conducted to assess the Economic Analyses of artisanal fisheries in
the coastal areas of Ondo State, Nigeria in order to determine the socioeconomic
characteristics of the fisher folks; assess the economic efficiency of fishing gears
used, fishing activities and common fishes caught in the study area, determine the cost
and return structure of fishing in the study area, and identify the constraints of
fisheries in the study areas. A multistage sampling technique was used in purposively
selecting five fishing communities from two Local Government Areas- Ilaje and Ese-
Odo LGAs. Questionnaires were randomly administered to 200 respondents in the
fishing communities. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive, budgetary
analysis and regression analysis. Results showed that from the demographic
characteristics of the respondents, 71% of the fisher folks were male, while 61% were
within the active age distribution of 20-40years, 58% had formal education, 69% had
11-30 years of fishing experience, 59% of the respondents were married and none of
the respondents participated in fisheries cooperative societies. A total revenue of
N1,121,640 was obtained per respondent per annum in Ilaje LGA while N 376,320
was obtained in Ese-Odo, Benefit Cost Ratio of 5.04 in Ilaje while 3.97 in Ese-Odo
and their respective Gross Margins were N1,061,040 and N 314,431.20k showed
profitability of artisanal fishing enterprise. Inadequate storage facilities, infestation of
the water bodies by water hyacinth, and high cost of inputs were the paramount
constraints facing artisanal fisheries in the study areas. Regression analysis revealed
significant relationship (p<0.05) between the socio-economic characteristics of the
fisher folks and the level of income generated in the study areas. It is thus
recommended that Fisheries extension services should be extended to the study area.
