The market performance and determinants of net returns to artisanal fish in Ndibe Beach, Afikpo North lga, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The study was conducted in Ndibe Beach, Afikpo North LGA Ebonyi State of Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of artisanal fishermen, fish wholesalers and retailers in the study area; determine structure, conduct and performance of artisanal fish marketing in the area; determine market share, margin and efficiency of artisanal fish marketing in the study area; determine the costs and returns of artisanal fishing in the study area; determine factors influencing the amount of income generated from artisanal fishing and marketing by the fishermen, wholesalers and retailers in the study area; identify problems encountered by the fishermen and marketers in the study area. Both purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting samples. A grand sample size of 120 (fishermen= 40, wholesalers = 40, retailers = 40) was used for the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency distribution tables, means and percentages, marketing margin analysis, net return analysis and OLS multiple regression model were used to analyze collected data and draw inference. The cost and return analysis showed that artisanal fishing was a profitable business venture. The marketing price of the fishermen, wholesalers and retailers per 1kg of fish sold in a bowl in the study area were N280.50, N690.2 and N940.0 respectively, while their marketing margins were N280.50, N 409.7 and N319.8 respectively. The wholesalers marketing margin and share of the market were considered to be the highest when compared to those of the fishermen (producers) and retailers. The result of the multiple regression analysis showed that age, household size, farming experience and access to credit were significant determinants of fishermen net returns while age, educational level, price of the product (fish) and transport cost were significant determinants of the marketers'(wholesalers and retailers) income. Major problems encountered by the fishermen were inadequate storage facilities (80.0%) and unpredictable weather (70.0%) while problems encountered by the artisanal fish marketers in the study area include inadequate storage facilities (76.67%) and transportation difficulties (60.0%). The State government should provide incentives that will motivate unemployed able bodied youths to embrace the business instead of staying idle.Key words: Artisanal fishing, Market performance, Ndibe beach, fisherme