Children’s Involvement in Artisanal Fishing in Selected Fishing Communities of Badagry, Lagos (South-West Nigeria)

Abstract This study investigates children’s involvement in artisanal fishing in Badagry, Nigeria. Their tasks varied by age: children aged 3-5 years bailed water, 6-8 years sorted fish, 9-11 years set fishing gear, 12-14 years paddled, and 15-17 years engaged in cast netting and hook-and-line fishing. Boys were the only participants, with peak involvement in November 2020. Seasonal trends showed reduced boats and crew between September 2020 and February 2021, coinciding with an increased reliance on child labor during peak fishing months. School attendance remained low, dropping to 13.44% in December 2020 before moderately improving in early 2021.