Assessment of Fishing Pressure and Catch Trends in the Kainji Lake Fisheries, Niger State

Kainji Lake in Niger State, North Central Nigeria, is one of the largest man-made lakes in Africa and supports one of the most important inland fisheries in the country. However, increasing fishing pressure and environmental changes have raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of this fishery. This study assesses fishing effort, gear composition, and catch trends at four landing stations on Kainji Lake over a six-month period. Data were collected through daily catch monitoring, fisher surveys with 100 active fishers, and review of historical catch records from the New Bussa fisheries monitoring station. Key species monitored included Lates niloticus, Citharinus citharus, Synodontis spp., and Mormyrus spp. Catch per unit effort for Lates niloticus declined by 31% compared to records from three years prior, suggesting overfishing pressure. Gill net mesh sizes observed were predominantly below the minimum legal limit of 50 mm, indicating widespread recruitment overfishing. Total active fishing vessels had increased by 22% in the preceding five years based on registration records. Fisher interviews confirmed declining catches, with 78% of respondents reporting reduced catches compared to five years earlier. The study documents measurable indicators of fishing overexploitation in the Kainji Lake fishery and recommends the immediate enforcement of minimum mesh size regulations and the introduction of seasonal fishing closures as urgent management interventions by the relevant regulatory authority.

Keywords: fishing pressure, catch per unit effort, Kainji Lake, inland fisheries, Niger State