Small-Scale Fishers in Sustainable Fisheries Management: The Bayelsa State Experience

Small-scale fishers in Bayelsa State, Nigeria play a vital role in the fisheries sub-sector, but they face numerous challenges including resource depletion, climate change, and inadequate support systems. To address these issues, the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) launched a ‘World Fisheries Day 2024’ initiative, emphasizing the importance of small-scale fishers in the sustainable fisheries management in the state. The initiative included various activities such as: advocacy and education, classroom teaching in secondary schools to raise awareness about the significance of sustainable fisheries management in food security, nutrition and economy; stakeholders’ engagement, a courtesy call to the Ministry of Blue Economy to foster collaboration and support; community outreach, and waterfront cleaning campaigns to engage local communities in sustainable fisheries practices. These efforts aimed to enhance the capacity of small-scale fishers, promote inclusive governance, and foster sustainable use of resources. By supporting small-scale fishers, the initiative seeks to contribute to the sustainability of Bayelsa State’s fisheries sub-sector.