Study of Current Vessel Registration Compliance Among Small-Scale Fishermen in Bauchi State Dams

Vessel registration is a foundational element of maritime safety governance, enabling accountability, emergency response, and regulatory oversight of commercial and artisanal water transport. This study examines the level of vessel registration compliance among small-scale fishermen operating canoes and motorised wooden boats on reservoirs and dams in Bauchi State, North East Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, with structured questionnaires administered to one hundred and twenty fishermen at six dam sites including Gubi Dam, Jama'are River reservoirs, and Lame-Burra Game Reserve water bodies. Interviews were also conducted with ten local government waterway officers. Findings indicate that fewer than fifteen percent of sampled fishing vessels are registered with any relevant authority, with the majority of fishermen unaware of registration requirements or perceiving no practical benefit from compliance. Enforcement presence is minimal, with waterway officers lacking motorised patrol capability. The study identifies a correlation between non-registration and poor safety equipment carriage, suggesting that registration enforcement could serve as a gateway for broader safety improvement. Economic hardship and the informal nature of artisanal fishing operations are identified as primary barriers to voluntary compliance. Recommendations include introduction of a simplified low-cost registration process for artisanal fishing vessels, community engagement through fishing cooperative leaders, and integration of registration drives with annual fisheries extension programmes by the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme. Keywords: vessel registration, artisanal fishing, Bauchi State, inland waterways, regulatory compliance