Assessment of Fisheries Decline in Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, Jigawa State

The Hadejia-Nguru Wetland system in Jigawa State, North West Nigeria, is one of the most hydrologically and ecologically significant wetland complexes in sub-Saharan Africa, supporting diverse fisheries and over one million people who depend on them for food and income. This study assessed the current state of fisheries resources in the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, documenting changes in fish abundance, species composition, and catch trends attributed to hydrological alteration and overexploitation. Data were collected from four landing sites over four months through daily catch monitoring. Fish species were identified and catch per unit effort was calculated. Structured interviews with 95 fishers captured long-term perceptions of resource change. Secondary hydrological data from state water board records were analysed to document water level trends. A total of 29 fish species were recorded, markedly lower than historical species lists, suggesting significant biodiversity loss. Reduced flooding frequency and duration were strongly associated with declining catch per unit effort at all sites. The most affected species were large-bodied floodplain-dependent cichlids and mormyrids. Fishers unanimously reported declining catch volumes, with 83 percent attributing decline to reduced floodplain inundation caused by upstream dams. Women in fish processing reported declining supply and increased fish prices. The study strongly recommends environmental flow provisions in upstream dam operating rules to restore the ecological connectivity and productivity of the Hadejia-Nguru fishery system. Keywords: Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, fisheries decline, hydrological alteration, Jigawa State, floodplain fisheries.