A review of the marine fisheries policy and management in Nigeria

Abstract

We reviewed the marine fisheries laws as contained in the Sea Fisheries Decrees of Nigeria promulgated 
in 1971, 1972 and revised in 1992. We found out that these decrees were lacking in scientific data needed 
to effectively enforce the laws, both for industrial and artisanal fisheries. The major habitats of the 
different species, their breeding and nursery grounds; the migratory movements and seasons for different 
species; size selection of the fishing gears for different species caught simultaneously by relevant gears; 
sizes at first maturity of the different species; feeding/trophic relationships of the various species; 
maximum and optimum sustainable yields of the resource, and the corresponding effort, are some of the 
missing scientific information. This paper stresses the importance of these scientific data requirements 
for effective policy options and sustainable fisheries management.