Gender analysis of sustainable fishing practices by fisherfolks in Lagos State, Nigeria

Fishing practices lie at the heart of the sustainable use and management of resources. The essence of this study is the analysis of the gender roles in use of sustainable fishing practices in Lagos State. A multi-stage sampling method was used in selecting zones, blocks, cells and fisherfolks. An interview guide was designed to obtain data from 215 fisherfolks and stratified into 169 male and 46 female fisherfolks. The results revealed that fifteen (15) sustainable fishing practices were identified by fisherfolks in the study area. Both male and female fisherfolks engage in fishing inputs net mending, sales establishment, fabrication and construction of traps and pots as well as slanding and warehousing facilities. The results also showed that the level of fishing tasks performed by both male and female was very high. Fisherfolks attitude towards use of sustainable fishing practices showed that the attitude scores range from 20-100. Most of the respondents fell between the ranges of 45 – 78. Majority of the male and female had favourable attitude towards use of sustainable fishing practices. In comparing male and female in terms of constraints to use of sustainable fishing practices, the difference was not as significant. Although in the case of lack of construction of simple gears women were at disadvantaged. T-test analysis indicated that male fisherfolks employed more use of sustainable fishing practices than female fisherfolks. The policy implication of this study for extension is that, there is a need to intensify extension efforts to integrate sustainable fishing practices which will enhance the reduction of constraints. Keywords: Gender analysis, fisherfolks, sustainable, Fishing practices, Lagos African Journal of Livestock Extension Vol. 4 2005: pp. 9-1