Sciences de la volaille, de la pêche et de la faune
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Economic Burden of Sand Dredging on Artisanal Fishing in Lagos State, Nigeria

Sowunmi FA, Hogarh JN, Omigie CO and Idiaye CO

Increasing demand for sand for construction purposes has made river/sea sand dredging a major threat to aquatic habitat and fishing. The study compared the cost and returns of artisanal fishermen in river sand dredging and non-dredging in selected fishing communities in Lagos state. The study showed that there were no significant differences in the average ages and experience in fishing of fishermen in sand dredging and non-dredging areas. However, there were significant differences in the average turbidity of river water and quantity of fish caught per labour hour by fishermen in dredging and non-dredging areas. The low productivity in sand dredging area is attributed to the negative effect sand dredging. Fishermen in non-sand dredging areas earned higher gross profit per day. The need for government to control the activities of the sand dredgers in fishing communities is recommended for the sustainability of the environment and fishing in the study area.