Assessment of Mangrove Fisheries Resources and Their Utilisation in Rivers State

Mangrove ecosystems in Rivers State, South South Nigeria, serve as critical nursery habitats for commercially important fish and shellfish species, supporting artisanal fisheries that provide food and income for millions of people in the Niger Delta region. This study assesses the composition, abundance, and utilisation patterns of fish and shellfish resources in mangrove creek fisheries across five communities in Degema and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas. Catch composition data were collected through daily sampling of artisanal fishing activities at each community over four months. Structured interviews with 90 fishers documented gear types, fishing effort, target species, and perceived changes in resource abundance. A total of 33 fish species and 6 shellfish species were recorded in catches. Crab species (Callinectes amnicola and Cardisoma armatum), Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, and Ethmalosa fimbriata were the most abundant resources by weight. Fishers reported an average of 30% decline in catches over five years, attributed to mangrove deforestation, oil pollution, and increased fishing pressure. Overharvesting of juvenile crabs was observed in 67% of surveyed communities. The study documents the ecological and livelihood centrality of mangrove fisheries in Rivers State and recommends the gazettement of additional mangrove conservation areas, enforcement of minimum harvest sizes for crabs, and community-based co-management frameworks as essential strategies for sustainable mangrove fisheries governance.

Keywords: mangrove fisheries, shellfish, Niger Delta, Rivers State, co-management