Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Fish Landing Trends in the Bight of Benin, Ondo and Lagos States

This study applied a spatio-temporal analysis framework to examine trends in artisanal fish landings from the Nigerian coast of the Bight of Benin, covering Ondo and Lagos states, over a ten-year period from 2014 to 2024. Declining marine fish landings have been reported across West African coastal states, yet the spatial patterning and temporal drivers of these trends along Nigeria's southwest coast remain analytically underexplored. Secondary landing data from state fisheries agencies were complemented by primary catch surveys at 12 key fish landing beaches over 18 months. Geographic Information System tools were used to map spatial distribution of landing volumes, while time series analysis was applied to detect temporal trends and seasonality. Results confirmed a statistically significant declining trend in total marine fish landings of approximately 3.8 percent per year across the study coastline. The steepest declines were observed at landing beaches nearest to urban industrial zones, where both habitat degradation and illegal fishing were most pronounced. Pelagic species including Sardinella aurita and Scomber japonicus showed the sharpest declines, while demersal landings were more stable. Seasonal analysis confirmed peak landings during the major upwelling season in June to September and a secondary peak in January to February. Spatio-temporal clustering revealed that three landing beaches accounted for 61 percent of total coastline landings. The study calls for targeted spatial management measures, including marine protected areas at productivity hotspots, and recommends the modernisation of fisheries landing data collection infrastructure for Ondo and Lagos states. Keywords: spatio-temporal analysis, fish landings, Bight of Benin, marine fisheries, declining trends