Factors affecting changing livelihood strategies of artisanal fisherfolks in inland fishing communities in Delta State

This study examined the factors affecting changing livelihood strategies of artisanal fisherfolks in inland fishing communities in Delta State, Nigeria. The sample size of 169 respondents was selected through a simple random sampling from a total of 935 fisherfolks in two selected Local Government Areas. Instrument for data collection was structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and non parametric statistic. The result showed that majority (44%) of the respondents is between the ages of 41 and 60 years. There were no significant relationships between marital status, educational level, family size, income of fisherfolks and changing livelihood strategies (r= - 0.118, P = 0.05; r = -0.102, P = 0.05; r= -0.107, p 0.05; r = -0.107, P = 0.05) respectively. Correlation co-efficient analysis revealed that there was insignificant relationship between reasons for diversification of livelihood and changing livelihood strategies of the artisanal fisherfolks (r = 0.103, P = 0.184). In conclusion, the factors affecting livelihood strategies of artisanal fisherfolks include coping with insufficiency, income, obnoxious fishing method, government policy, resource depletion through sand bank, respondents ethnicity, age and sex. It is therefore recommended that greater emphasis should be directed towards provision of credit facilities. Fishing nets should also be subsidised by the government