Current Status of Aquaculture and Artisanal Fisheries in Delta State, Nigeria: A Baseline Assessment of Fish Diversity, Sustainability Challenges and Development Potential for Food Security

Abstract

Aquaculture and artisanal fisheries are central to food supply, employment and rural livelihoods in Delta State, Nigeria. This study established an integrated baseline of farm production systems, fishing livelihoods, seasonal activity, water conditions and fish diversity across Delta State. Questionnaires were administered to 57 aquaculture operators and 70 artisanal fishers from October 2022 through 2023, and in situ water-quality measurements were collected. Additional targeted field reconnaissance, fish sampling and photographic documentation were undertaken during 2024-2025. Aquaculture was predominantly intensive (81.6%) and centred on African catfishes: Clarias spp. were reported by 80.4% of farms, followed by Heteroclarias spp. (43.1%), Heterobranchus spp. (25.5%) and tilapias (21.6%). Boreholes were the principal farm-water source (63.6%), periodic water replacement was common (71.7%), and imported feeds were used by 83.3% of farmers. Artisanal fishing was predominantly full-time (82.1%), household participation was extensive (87.7%), and 69.0% of fishers had more than 25 years of experience. Women constituted 63.3% of respondents in Delta South and 94.4% in Kurutie. Water measurements showed generally acidic conditions (overall mean pH 5.70); locality mean pH ± SD ranged from 5.13 ± 1.29 at Abraka to 6.36 ± 2.81 at Asaba. The photographic inventory comprised 38 coded entries and documented a broad assemblage of mormyrids, notopterids, cichlids, catfishes, cyprinids, alestids, killifishes, hepsetids, snakeheads, bonytongues, swamp eels and three unidentified morphotypes. Strengthening seed, feed, hatchery, flood-biosecurity and water-management systems, while supporting women, youth entry and native-fish research, could expand employment and improve aquatic-food security in Delta State and Nigeria.