What Are the Prospects of Sustainable Aquaculture in the Niger Delta, Nigeria?

Globally, the wild capture fishery is declining, and aquaculture is expanding to help fill the gap, especially in Asia and developing countries. However, the sustainability of the aquaculture sector is raising questions, and answering those questions requires the adoption of new technologies and better management practices. Nowhere is this seen more clearly than in Nigeria where aquaculture generally means catfish, the most farmed species of which is clarias garipinus because it is a native species, and it plays an important role in the average Nigerian diet. However, small-scale catfish aquaculture businesses are affected by various challenges that threaten the sustainability of the sector. Prominent among these challenges are: poor management skills; lack of good quality fish seed supply; high cost of fish feed; inconsistency in government policy and limited regulations; lack of consideration about the impacts of aquaculture practice on the environment causing water pollution and environmental degradation, and insecurity of investment against natural disasters such as floods. This research investigated these challenges in eight sites in two states (Delta and Bayelsa) in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Data were gathered from a survey questionnaire, key informant interviews, personal observations, and published literature. Key findings showed that the sustainable development of the small-scale catfish farming industry in Delta and Bayelsa states is vulnerable to several threats that prevent it from fulfilling its undoubted potential to grow into a much larger sector, which could significantly reduce Nigeria’s reliance on fish imports, as well as relieve pressure on the overfished marine catch sector. Nevertheless, despite the threats, most catfish farmers are committed to their work and deserve the support of the government to enable them to succeed.