OJO SUNDAY AKINKUNMI

Fisheries

At the Fisheries department office

Appointment on Visitation important

Topic: Strengthening Small-Scale Fisheries Governance In Nigeria Through Sustainable Management, Climate Resilience, And Improved Fisheries Data Systems

Description:

Introduction

Nigeria's small-scale fisheries play an important role in food security, generation of employment, and economic development, yet they face growing threats from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate change, habitat degradation, and poor fisheries data. These challenges weaken resource sustainability and limit effective policy implementation. My research interest aims to strengthen fisheries governance by improving data quality, assessing climate resilience, and identifying strategies for sustainable fisheries management in Nigeria.

Aims and Objectives

The study seeks to assess fisheries governance and management practices, evaluate the impacts of IUU fishing and climate change on fisheries resources and coastal livelihoods, reconstruct fisheries catch data to improve national fisheries statistics, identify institutional and policy gaps, and develop evidence based recommendations for sustainable resource management.

Methodology

A mixed methods approach will be adopted. Primary data will be collected through questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations involving fishers, fisheries managers, and other stakeholders. Secondary data will be obtained from available government reports, fisheries databases, and published literature. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data will undergo thematic analysis. Catch reconstruction techniques and spatial analysis will support data validation and trend assessment.

Expected Results

The study is expected to generate improved estimates of fisheries catches, identify governance and policy gaps, assess stakeholder perceptions, and provide practical strategies for strengthening climate resilient fisheries management. 

Contribution to Knowledge and Society

The findings will contribute to knowledge by improving understanding of the relationships among fisheries governance, climate change, and sustainable resource management. They will also support evidence based policymaking, enhance fisheries data systems, promote biodiversity conservation, strengthen food security, and improve the livelihoods of fishing communities in Nigeria.

#	Certificate	School	Year
1.	M.Sc (Fisheries)	Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos.	2026

Investigating Transshipment Occurrences in Nigerian Fisheries: Impacts, Drivers, and Strategies for Combatting IUU Fishing

Introduction

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing poses a major threat to the sustainability of Nigeria's fisheries, with transshipment serving as an important mechanism through which catches are transferred at sea and potentially concealed from regulatory oversight. This study investigated transshipment occurrences in Nigerian fisheries, with emphasis on their patterns, drivers, impacts, and strategies for combating transshipment-linked IUU fishing.

Aim/Objectives

The study aimed to investigate transshipment occurrences in Nigerian fisheries and assess their implications for IUU fishing. Specifically, it investigated transshipment patterns, vessel types and affected species; identified socio-economic and institutional drivers; assessed impacts on IUU fishing, food security, marine biodiversity and livelihoods; and proposed targeted strategies for addressing transshipment-linked IUU fishing.

Methodology

A mixed-methods approach was adopted. Data were collected through 100 semi-structured questionnaires, of which 96 were returned, and key informant interviews involving vessel captains, sailors, processors, traders, small-scale fishers, and organisational representatives. Secondary data were obtained from fisheries reports, publications and relevant databases. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, OLS regression, GIS-based hotspot mapping, thematic analysis, sentiment analysis, SWOT analysis and policy gap assessment.

Expected Result

The study found that transshipment was prevalent in Nigerian coastal waters. Croaker, shiny nose, barracuda and shrimp were among the most transshipped species. Economic incentives, weak enforcement, high demand, poverty, corruption and inadequate monitoring were identified as major drivers. The study also established relationships between transshipment-related catch and revenue losses, fishers' livelihoods and food security.

Contribution to Knowledge/Society

The study provided empirical evidence on transshipment and its economic, social and fisheries management implications in Nigeria. It identified key transshipment hotspots and policy gaps and proposed stronger enforcement, stakeholder education, vessel monitoring systems and policy harmonisation. The findings provided evidence for improving fisheries governance, protecting marine resources, supporting fishers' livelihoods and strengthening food security. The resulting manuscript is currently under peer review in the Scientific African Journal, Elsevier.

OJO AKINKUNMI is a Graduate Assistant at the Department of Fisheries

OJO has a M.Sc in Fisheries from Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos.