Fisheries Regulation Enforcement and Compliance Among Artisanal Fishers in Bayelsa State

This study evaluated the effectiveness of fisheries regulation enforcement and levels of compliance among artisanal fishers in Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria. Effective regulation is foundational to sustainable fisheries management, yet enforcement capacity in Nigeria's coastal states is widely recognised as inadequate. The study employed a mixed-methods approach including 100 structured interviews with artisanal fishers, key informant interviews with 12 state fisheries officers, and observational assessments of 15 fish landing sites. Compliance variables assessed included adherence to closed seasons, minimum mesh size regulations, licensing requirements, and gear type restrictions. Results showed that awareness of fisheries regulations was high at 74 percent, yet actual compliance was significantly lower, with only 29 percent of fishers consistently adhering to mesh size and closed season requirements. Enforcement capacity was severely constrained by limited patrol vessels, understaffing of fisheries officers, and inadequate operational budgets. Fisheries officers reported conducting fewer than four patrol operations per month on average, far below recommended levels for the state's extensive coastal area. Fishers in communities with active fisheries co-management committees demonstrated significantly higher compliance rates than those in unorganised communities, suggesting the value of community-based enforcement. Financial penalties for violations were regarded as insufficient deterrents by both fishers and enforcement officers. The study recommends the expansion of co-management frameworks, improved resource allocation to enforcement units, and the introduction of community-based monitoring and reporting systems to strengthen regulatory compliance in Bayelsa State artisanal fisheries. Keywords: fisheries regulation, enforcement, compliance, artisanal fisheries, Bayelsa State