NIGERIA

REDUCING THE IMPACT OF TROPICAL SHRIMP TRAWLING FISHERIES ON THE LIVING MARINE RESOURCES THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES IN NIGERIA

by Mr. J.C. Ogbonna; National Coordinator (Federal Ministry of Agriculture. Water Resources and Rural Development Depart. of Fisheries; Wuse zone 1, Abuja, Nigeria)

1. INTRODUCTION

Nigeria lies between Lat. 4° 16' -13° 52 'N and Long. 2° 49' -14° 37' E and has a coastline of about 850 km which borders the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Guinea. The limits of Nigeria's territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are 12 nml and 200 nml respectively (i.e. 22 224 km and 370.40 km). The total area of the continental shelf is approximately 41 000 km² (Doy2859e, 1980) but the flats are interrupted coast-wide by unburied fossil corals at about ~40-120 m depth (Allen and Wells, 1962; Awosika, 1990); Canyons off Lagos, Mahin and Calabar also interrupt the shelf (Allen, 1964). Apart from these interruptions and some off shore oil prospecting installations, which now constitute a kind of obstacle for trawling, but sanctuaries for some finfish resources, the shelf is considerably trawlable. Table 1 below indicates the extent of the continental shelf off East of Lagos to between Kwa Iboe and Cross River (Tobor, 1995). Figures 1 and 2 show the location of estuaries and major coastal settlements and Nigerian continental shelf with depth contours.

TABLE 1: Widths of continental shelf off major river mouths and coastal areas

Source: Tobor J.G., 1995

Nigeria has a population of about 112.1, million. The domestic fish production hovers around 400 000 metric tons (MT). The fish demand figure for 1997 is 1.27 million MT (Table 2 below). There is thus a wide gap between fish demand and production. Nigeria thus spends over 200 million US$ annually on importation of frozen fish to augment the short fall. Even with such high expenditure of scarce foreign exchange on importation of fish, the gap can only be narrowed and not closed.

TABLE 2: Projected population and fish demand (1996-2008)

Figure 1. Location of estuaries and major coastal settlements with good fishing prospects

Figure 2. The Nigerian Continental Shelf, with depth contours in fathoms, and unburied coral banks
(based on sheet D200/375/7-74 by Federal Surveys Nigeria 1974)

Some of the other coastal characteristics which are of importance to the Nigerian inshore demersal fisheries are the presence of thirty-six estuaries (Amadi, 1990) and the prominent Niger delta, which provides suitable habitat for the penaeid shrimps, finfish and other living marine resources. Hydrographically, the temperatures are generally above 25°C down to 50-m depth and there exists a permanent thermocline, which acts as a natural barrier to the vertical distribution of fish down to 30-40 m with a lower limit of 50-60 m. Salinities range in the area off Lagos from 34‰ from the surface to 50 m depth to about 30‰ off the S. Eastern coast extended down to 30 m where freshwater run off influence the shelf water. The oxygen content is rich steadily decreasing with depth down to 400 m (Amadi, 1982).

2. THE INSHORE MARINE FISHERIES

2.1 Resources: Exploratory resource surveys/potential yields

Various efforts have been made in the past four decades by the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) and others to survey the marine resources and estimate the potential yields for the inshore marine fish and shrimp resources. The exploratory Guinea Trawling survey conducted during 1963 and 1964 between 15-50 m depth evaluated the biomass of the central portion of the Nigerian continental shelf and the entire shelf area as 21 100 MT and 351 000 MT respectively (Williams, 19968). Based on experimental trawls during the 1962-1963 inshore resource survey, Longhurst (1969) predicted that the potential yield of sciaenid community was 11 000 MT, which could increase to 141 500 MT when the sub-thermocline sparid community was included. Longhurst (1969) reported that: Penaeus notialis (duorarum) and Parapenaeopsis atlantica occur abundantly off the Niger delta between 27-45 m and 9-27 m depths respectively.

Raitt and Niven (1965 - 1969) confirmed the potential and identified four areas of exceptionally high catch rates with off-peak catch rates of 24-51 kg/hr head-on which were higher than the break- even value of 19 kg/hr head-on recorded by Bayagbona et al, in 1971. Even though shrimping could be undertaken all year round, June and December featured the highest catch rates. FAO (1969) carried out surveys in the Western and Mid-Western regions, which concentrated on Penaeus notialis and estimated potential yield of 2 500 MT. Some attention was paid to the clupeids too. Bayagbona (1979) analysed 1971-1978 catch and effort data and estimated the MSY of P. notialis and Parapenaeopsis atlantica as 245 MT and 904 MT respectively. By 1973, the annual potential of penaeid shrimps was estimated to be between 3 500 and 4 000 tonnes (Ajayi, 1991).

With the acquisition of more vessels of higher research capacities for marine fish resources survey, NIOMR was able to intensify the implementation of the fisheries resources programme and consequently Tobor (1991) reported the estimated yield potentials of inshore waters 0-50 m. Offshore demersal and pelagic resources are reported to be 16 620 MT, 6 730 MT and 9 460 MT respectively. Deeper water surveys have also indicated some fisheries resources, which have economic potentials. These include: Tunas, whose potential yield was estimated in 1982 and 1983 at about 10 000 per annum and driftfishes, Arioma bondi, A melanum with catch rates of 63-160 kg/hr between 140-250 m depth off the mouths of Benin, Escravos, Forcados and Sambreiro Rivers, deeper water shrimps - Plesipenaeus edwardsianus and lobsters - Neobarriotta pinnata (40 m - 600 m depth). A major obstacle to the tuna exploitation was the lack of tuna baitfish. NIOMR has carried out a survey in which anchovy was found but commercial investment in the fishery is yet to commence. R/V DR. Fridtjof Nansen trawling survey of 1981 confirmed the occurrence of sparids between 50 m - 200-m depth. The catch rates in kg/hr of the important species in the surveyed area included:

2.2 General description of the fisheries

The industrial inshore fisheries sub-sector. The Nigerian industrial inshore fishing activities consist of trawling for demersal finfish and shellfish, principally penaeid shrimps. The finfish species are heterogeneous and occur down to 50-m depth. They belong to supra-thermocline and sub-thermocline communities. Tobor (1965-1968) recorded 71 families comprising 157 species most of which are small in size. But the major target families/species of the supra-thermocline community (i.e. sciaenids) include:

- Sciaenidae, (croakers), Pseudotolithus typus, P. senegensis, P. elongatus and P. brachynathus (4 species).
- Cynoglossidae (Tongue Sole), Cynoglossus senegalensis, C. Canariensis, C. mondi and C. browni.
- Ariidae (Catfish), Arius heudeloti, A. gigas, A.Latiscutatus, A. parki.
- Polynemidae (Shrinynose or Threadfins), Polydactylus quadrifilis, Galeoides decadactylus.
- Haemulidae (Grunters); Pomadasys jubelini, P. suillus; P. incisus, P. peroteti.
- Sphyraenidae (barracudas), Sphyraena barracuda, S. afra, S. guachancho.
- Carangidae (Jack fish), Caranx hippos, C. crysos, C. latus, C. lugubris.

Other sciaenids, which occur in Nigeria waters, include the bigeye grunt (Brachydeuterus auritus) and moonfish, (Vomer setapinnis). Some of these fish species are also genetically undersized including the members of the prominent pelagic family Clupeidae such as Sardinella spp. which are fished intensively by the artisanal sector. The sparid community comprises y2859ely the following major families/species: - Lutjanidae (Red snappers) - Lutjanus goreensis L. fulgens, L. agennes and L. dentatus, and serranidae (Groupers), Epinephelus aeneus. Other sparid family/species found in Nigerian waters are the Sparidae, Dentex canariaensis, D. angolensis, D. congoensis (down to 50 m depth and below), and the breams e.g. Pagrus Sp. Pagellus coupei and Pagus sp. down to 170-m depth and below. The commercial penaeid shrimps being exploited in the Nigerian coastal waters predominantly inhabit the soft mud substrate of the Niger Delta and eastwards to Cross River. They occur too in Lagos West Grounds. Their order of importance in the inshore shrimp fishery of Nigeria is:

- Panaeus notialis (White prawn) down 27 m to 45 m)
- Parapenaeopsis atlantica (Brown (or Guinea) shrimp) down 9 m - 27 m)
- Parapenaus longirostris (Rose or Red deep water shrimp) down 150 m - 200 m)
- Penaeus krathurus (Striped or tiger shrimp).
- Palaemonidae, Nematopalaemon hastatus (Estuarine prawn) also occur in the Nigeria waters but are mostly exploited by the small-scale fishermen.

The artisanal coastal fisheries. The artisanal marine fisheries can be categorised into:

- Brackish water or estuarine canoe fishery operating in lagoons, creeks and estuarines.
- The coastal canoe fishery operates usually within the 5 nm non-trawling zone but due to motorization and targeted stocks some of the operators may venture farther into the sea. They lose a lot of fishing days to inclement weather and scarcity of production inputs etc.
- The artisanal group which y2859ely targets sharks and operates deep into the sea, deploying drift nets for sharks, sail fishes and saw fishes.

The small-scale fishermen operate dug-out or improved canoes and they are 2 to 10 men on board according to the type of fishery engaged in. Most fish caught belongs to the sciaenid community including croakers and bonga, shad, catfish, sardines, soles, shinynose, etc. Polydaclylus spp. (Polynemidae) as well as members of the Sphraenidae, Lutjanidae, Elopidae, Serranidae, and Carangidae families. The small-scale fishermen also catch sharks, sail/saw fishes as well as penaeid, palaemonid, and carid shrimps. They exploit mostly the same with motorized fishing vessels known locally as "Motor Fishing Vessels" which are licensed to trawl for fish.

FAO (1969) conducted a comprehensive survey of the coastal and estuarine fisheries of Western Nigeria fisheries covering about 6 400 km. Of the 91 203 fishermen estimated, 54.32% were full time. Sentongo, et al., (1983) put the coastal fishermen population at about 149 000. Between 1990 and 1997 the coastal artisanal fisheries structure and production were (Table 3 below):

TABLE 3: Coastal artisanal fisheries structure and production between 1990 and 1997

Source: FD Fisheries

The Table above makes the catch per fisherman amounting between 1990 - 1997 to 0.378 MT, 0.367 MT, 0.40 MT, 0.23 MT, 0.27 MT, 0.349 MT, 0.303 MT and 0.383 MT respectively. Scott (1966) showed an average catch per fisherman in the coastal and brackish waters of the Niger delta to be 0.60 MT per annum. A baseline survey conducted under the IFAD project in 1992-1993 showed a mean landing of 25.92 MT year for a gauge fishing unit (GFU) in the South-eastern states of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River (Moses, 1994). The fish production levels attained between 1976 and 1984 are attributable to the fisheries policy of Government in that period which featured assistance to artisanal fishermen under packaged programmes.

Socio-Economic status of artisanal sector. The artisanal fishermen live in temporary or permanent fishing settlements along the creeks, lagoons and beaches throughout the coastline of the country. Majority of settlements is relatively little known but some seem comparatively prosperous in certain very productive areas of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. The population of the settlements could range from as low as 50 to areas as high as 10 000. The result of a comprehensive study carried out in 1982 showed that over 50% of the population in the coastal states are within 20-40 years age bracket. The general features of most of these rural fishing settlements are difficulty of access, lack of or inadequate functional social infrastructure such as landing jetties, cold storage facilities, schools, medical or health facilities, water and electricity supplies, etc. Majority of the household members engage in fishing while others are traders, students, artisans, public service or private employees. Some of the household members are unemployed. The standard of living is generally low relative to the other non-fishing communities and reflect an abject poverty not befitting a virile population that produced about 32.5%, 39.4%, 46 %, 50.3%, 40.7% and 40.5% of Nigerian fish supply by all sectors (including fish importation) from 1992 to 1997 (source: Fed. Dept. of Fisheries). The capital formation shows stock components valued at between N 62 000.00 and N 310 000 per GFU (Moses, 1994). These include boats, outboard engine and fishing gear in very active fishing areas. These fishing inputs are either modern in terms of fibre-glass boats of 6-18 m LOA, outboard motors (8HP-40HP) and synthetic nets or could be obsolete non-motorised dug-out canoes with paddles, hooks and lines, etc. In the coastal areas, fishing activities take place on daily basis but are strongly subjected to the vagaries of the weather and season. Productivity relates to the intensity of fishing activities, proximity of fishing grounds and ready availability of suitable fishing, inputs. The significant decline in fishing production by the artisanal sector (coastal and brackish water) from 246 784 in 1984 to 138 274 in 1996 and 1997 was attributed largely to inhibitive cost of fishing inputs, and scarcity as well as sharp upward adjustment of prices of petroleum products, etc. in the Post-SAP era. There has been Government intervention in the area of poverty alleviation and through the implementation of local and internationally supported artisanal fisheries development programmes. Efforts have been made to disburse loans to small-scale fishermen for a procurement of fishing input under the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) assistance programme. However, both assistance schemes cover only a negligible proportion of the artisanal fishermen in four coastal and seven inland states to the tune of N 40.5 millions and N 13 millions respectively (Source: C.B.N. Report, 1994. Actual exchange rate: US$1 = ~90 N). The future prospects for artisanal marine fisheries development are bright because of the priority attention being accorded to Agriculture, including the fisheries sector under the present civilian Administration.

Fisheries share in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The aggregate output of the Nigerian economy measured by the GDP at 1984 factor cost grew by 2.4% compared with the increase of 3.2% and 3.4%. In 1996 and 1997, the slight growth in aggregate output is attributed to the resilience of the agricultural sector, among other factors, and the lower growth in production compared with 1996 and 1997 is attributed to high costs of production inputs, persistent shortages of fuel, etc. The share of agricultural production comprising Crops, Livestock, Forestry and Fishing amounted to N 45.61 billion or 40.4% of GDP compared with the respective ratio of 39.4% and 39.0% in 1996 and 1997. At 105.7 (1984 = 100), the index of fish production rose by 6.2% compared with 11.3% in 1997. Fishing contributed N 1.2b, N 1.23b, N 1.48b, N 1.65b, and N 1.88b respectively to the GDP in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, placing it third among the four sub-sectors of Agriculture since 1996 ahead of Forestry. Many inhibiting factors contributed to the reduction in the rate of growth of fish production. These include the acute shortage and escalation in the costs of vital fish production inputs such as diesel oil (AGO) which hindered shrimp and fish exploitation efforts. In addition, the communal clashes in the Niger delta and the high incidence of sea piracy compounded the problem of the sub-sector by reducing access to fishing grounds. Table 4 below shows the share of the Agricultural sector in the GDP for 1998:

TABLE 4: The share of the agricultural sector in the gross domestic product at 1984

Source: Central Bank of Nigeria Annual Report (1998)

2.3 Vessel characteristics, gear and accessories; fishing methods and practices; fishing effort

Vessel, gear and accessories characteristics

The Sea Fisheries (Licensing) Regulations of 1992 provide that a Shrimping vessel shall not exceed 23.2 m LOA and 130 GRT, while a Fishing vessel shall not exceed 25.3 m LOA and 150 GRT.

The typical specifications of a shrimp trawler are:

The figure 3 is a technical sketches of a shrimp trawler with outriggers showing the general arrangement of the vessel, the two shrimp trawls and a try net. It is worth mentioning that the motorized vessels operating in coastal areas locally known as "Motor Fishing Vessels" have been arranged and equiped to meet the international standard of shrimp production and processing facilities.

As far as the shrimp trawl are concerned, the netting material is either polythylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) and meshsize in all trawl sections, apart in the codends, is between 51 mm and 55 mm. The twine diameter is around 1.4 - 1.6 mm in all sections except coden with 1.9 mm and more, of diamond mesh type. The legal codend meshsizes for the fish trawl net and shrimp trawl net are 76 mm and 44 mm stretched respectively. The technical sketche of a typical shrimp trawl net is given in figure 4.

The otter boards are not uniform in weight and dimension. Dimensions are: 2.00 - 4.00 m in length and 1.00 - 2.00 m in hight; the weight is 200 kg - 270 kg; the backstrops are about 4.5 m long made of steel wire ropes of 14 - 16 mm diameter with G-hooks; the pennants are usually 7.00 m long wire rope steel of 14 mm in diameter with G-hooks and recessed links. Shackles 21 - 22 mm are used.

Fishing Efforts/Practices/Crewing

According to the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) sources, about 36 fishing companies presently own 271 Nigerian flag-registered vessels, some of them having been built in USA and Poland. However, not all vessels are operational. Their ownership is either fully Nigerian or joint-ventureship between Nigerians and Foreigners. Government policy currently permits 100% foreign ownership.

The double-rigged/outrigger refrigerated vessels operate day and night using their booms to pull either two or four otter shrimp trawl nets with tickler chains. Turtle Excluder Device (TED) regulation came into force in 1996 to protect the sea turtles. The towing speed is between 2.5-3.0 knots and trawling time is about 3 hours.

The vessels are crewed with about 3 000 foreign and Nigerian crew the later being mostly home - trained Mate certificate holders and 2nd class Engineers. The skippers and chief engineers are mostly Asian and Ghanaian nationals.

In 1999, 31 vessels were licensed to trawl for fish and 187 for shrimps, a considerable drop from the total of 306 vessels licensed in 1997 (266 of which were to trawl for shrimps). This drop is attributable to ageing, non-operational vessels, the withdrawal of most of the 13 m LOA medium-sized vessels from operation and the 1999 licence fee of N 120 000/year for each shrimp trawler above 20 GRT. The Licensing pattern showed a significant shift from fishing to shrimping in the post-SAP (Structural Adjustment Programme) era of 1986 when inshore shrimping vessels rose in number from 54 to 132 in 1988. The change was induced by the desire of investors to earn highly value foreign exchange through shrimp exportation; but this puts the shrimp resources under more severe pressure.

2.4 Shrimp catches, catch per unit effort (CPUE) and marketing

Early attempts at fishing in the inshore waters of Nigeria commenced in the mid 1950's. There had had at that time only some preliminary resources exploratory surveys and inadequate stock assessment studies which could have ensured the sustainability of the trawl fisheries. The knowledge of fishing ground, appropriate craft and gear was also scanty. By 1960, there was some improvement and first intensive fishing commenced on the Lagos West grounds (i.e. Coition - Elk) with the use of bottom trawls with 40 mm meshsize in the codend (Longhurst;1961). However, by 1964 there were indications of over fishing. Bayagbona (1965) analysed 1959-1963 catches of the Lagos based fleet and estimated the maximum sustainable yield of 1 036 MT on estimated annual effort of 90 x 10 horsepower hours. But Longhurst (1964) recorded the actual annual landing of the fleet to be 3,500 MT. The eventual collapse of the fisheries of the area led to decide the closure of the fishing grounds (Sea Fisheries Decree No 30 of 1971). It is pertinent to note that after over two decades of non-trawling on these grounds, the national research institution, NIOMR, pointed out the recovery of the marine fisheries resources in the area. The Sea Fisheries Decree No 71 of 1992 now permits fishing under licence in the Lagos West grounds.

Figure 3. Shrimp trawñer with outriggers

Figure 4. Nigerian shrimp trawl net

Trawling for shrimps assumed greater importance in the immediate post-SAP era of the mid 1980's. The most prominent penaeid shrimp target was Penaeus notialis commonly referred to as white prawn in Nigeria. Other peaneid targets are Parapenaeosis atlantica (brown shrimp); Parapenaeus longirostris (Deeper water Rose or Red shrimp); Penaeus kerathurus (striped or tiger shrimp).

Tables 5 and 6 show the catch statistics for shrimps and fish between 1985 and 1997 (source: FDF). Initially, the quality of landed shrimps in terms of size used to be very high. The white prawns used to be graded 0-8 with zero being the jumbo size and most expensive while 8 size was the least in value. Grades 5-7 constitute the bulk of the white prawn catch presently. The brown shrimp is assuming greater proportion of landings particularly in the dry season, while the other penaeid shrimps are being intensively exploited, the deeper water shrimps, P. longirostris are yet to be commercially exploited. Sequel to the shift from trawling for fish to trawling for shrimps from 1986 onwards, the pressure on the penaeid shrimp fishery intensified. Thus, the annual catch of the shrimps was, between 1992 and 1997 more than 9,000 (up to more than 12,000 MT) despite the MSY estimated to be between 3 500 MT and 4 000 MT. The total shrimp export to Europe in 1998 was 8 300 MT. This calls for the continuous assessment of the yield potential of panaeid shrimp stocks using more accurate catch and effort data, more so, when the indications are that the Nigerian trawl shrimp industrialists still appear to be favourably disposed to further investment in the shrimp trawling business.

TABLE 5. Shrimp production - from 1985 to 1997

TABLE 6. Catch from Inshore fishing and shrimping - from 1985 to 1997

The present data shows that the annual shrimp catch per vessel has not been stable and that between mid-1980's and 1990 there was a sharp drop in the catch per unit effort - See table 7. However there has been an observed increase from 1991 which appears to be levelling out.

TABLE 7. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) of licenced shrimpers between 1985 and 1997

The deduction from this CPUE must be taken cautiously because of the level of reliability of the data bases, the unknown actual number of actively shrimping vessels and tile fact that even though some vessels were licensed to trawl for shrimps in the period under focus, their usage of trawl nets with under 44 mm stretched cod-ends would imply that they were engaged in trawling for shrimp not fish. Therefore, there should be no hasty conclusion about the situation of the Nigeria's inshore shrimp fishery. Quite recently but between December and March some surveys were undertaken at some popular fishing grounds at 0-50 m. Data gathered during the research exercise (sometimes at depths above the regulated 18-m depth) using a commercial vessel was analysed and catch in Kilogramme per hour of trawling (kg/hr) used in calculating the catch per unit effort (CPUE). It varies from one fishing ground to the other depending on the season, during movement of the target species, nature of the bottom sediment, abundance resources and other environmental factors. The CPUE calculated at various depths for some popular fishing grounds along the entire continental shelf between 16-22 m depth is shown in table 8 and 9.

TABLE 8. Catch per unit effort at 10-14 metres depth on various fishing grounds

TABLE 9. Catch per unit effort at 16-20 metres depth on various fishing grounds

It is observable that grades 0-4 of white prawns, Penaeus notialis that fetch higher prices in the export market have become scarce in shrimp landings. A factor, which perhaps dictates the target of the domestics trawl shrimp fishery, is the current demand of the foreign market and the location of the domestic producer's buyer. A decade back when American and Japanese markets were more patronised, the targets were y2859ely P. notialis which were then semi-processed. Presently, products are mostly exported freshly deep-frozen, head-on, whole or headless, peeled-undeveined (PUD) and decapitated. The y2859e focus is presently on brown shrimps caught in shallower waters with the implication of greater encounter of shrimp trawlers on grounds where small-sized fish species are more abundant. Hence, as a whole, the impact of shrimp trawling fisheries on juvenile fish and other benthic communities is now greater.

2.5 By-catch and discards/utilisation

Past and present studies confirm the importance of fish bycatches, their species/size composition, discards and mode of utilisation of the bycatch which kept on board when trawling for penaid shrimps in the Nigerian waters which have a multi-species fisheries regime. The occurrence of small but mature fish species in the penaid trawling grounds makes a selection within the fishing gear rather difficult. Even though, trawling for shrimps within the first five nautical miles of the Nigerian continental shelf and in waters shallower than 18 m are prohibited and the codend of a shrimp trawl should have more than 44 mm meshsize, yet observations of fish landings and activities at sea suggest that these statutory provisions of the fishing regulations are not being strictly complied with.

On board vessels, after the trawl net is hauled, its codend is opened and washing/sorting/grading of products into various categories are quickly undertaken. The sorted fish are sealed in 20-kg bags and placed in the refrigerated fish hold at about - 25°C. Similarly the shrimps are packaged in 2.2 kg packets and quickly frozen in batches in the plate freezers on the deck at - 30°C within 4 hours before being stowed in the fish hold in master cartons. Those earmarked for peeling are bagged. The fish by-catch of target species and incidental catches of non-target species is found to be of considerable quantity: 60 to 90 kg per day were reported. The by-catch problem has been immensely compounded by the concentration of the shrimp trawl industry presently on brown shrimps (Caricari) at grounds, which would appear to be the nursery ground of young and juvenile fish. It is common to see several canoes going after fishing trawlers for the sake of discards.

Ajayi and Adetayo (1982) carried out several exploratory trawl hauls between November 1980 and March 1981 working alongside commercial boats in the Niger delta area. They analysed the species composition of the catch and other data, contrasted these with the catch and effort data gathered by FDF since 1970 from the industrial fishing fleet and determined the species composition of the fish discarded as indicated in Table 11.

Visits to coastal fishing villages and general interaction with small-scale fishermen confirm that fishing inputs are very expensive and beyond the revenues of fishermen. Otobotokere (1999) recently reported evidence of sale of discards estimated at about 3 MT daily. The species and size ranges of sampled fish by-catch sold into riverine local markets are shown in Table 11. The average adult length and size at maturity of these fishes indicate that a fairly large quantity of them are removed before reaching maturity and this is bound to have adverse consequences on recruitment. Also there are indications from the Gulf of Guinea Large Marine Ecosystem survey carried out between February and March (1999) of a severe impact of shrimp trawling fisheries on the juvenile of commercial finfish resources. About 90% of the fish by-catch were said to be juvenile and small sized fish. The results of a recent study of the fish by-catch problem at various depths of some popular fishing grounds in Nigeria confirm again that there are high percentages of by-catches accompanying penaeid shrimping in Nigeria. The catch composition varies from one fishing ground to another depending on the targeted species. See Tables 12 and 13, which indicate species and percentage composition on various fishing grounds. Akande (1997) also reported the ratio of shrimp to by-catch based on the catch data of commercial vessels between 1992 and 1997. See Tables 14 and 15. Some naturally small sized fish species were observed to constitute more than 70% of catch at some grounds. Furthermore, an attempt has been made to quantify the juvenile or slow growing fish by-catch through interviews held with some crew members: 10-15 bags of 6 kg juvenile fish are said to be caught daily when targeting brown shrimps and 5-7 bags of 6 kg when targeting white prawns. The commercial value of this trash fish is not high but it contributes to the domestic fish market as food fish and raw materials for the fast food industry. Notwithstanding the lower commercial value of non-target small sized fish species, the large quantity of juvenile of commercial species is a serious concern for biological diversity and sustainability of the shrimp trawling fisheries. The estimate based on the assumption of three and four trips per annum for white prawns and brown shrimps respectively is that about 3 000 MT/year of trash, juvenile and non-commercial fish species may be caught annually by 200 actively operating vessels (Olaniyi, 1999).

Apart from finfish, non-fish species are also caught as by-catch: crabs - Portunus validus (Smooth swim crab. at around 30 m depth) and lobsters - Panulirus regius (5 - 40 m depth);brown Cuttle fish - Sepia officianalis (down to 200 m) and octopus; turtle - Eretmochelys imbricate (Hawksbill), Lepidochelys olivacea (Olive-ridley); molluscs e.g. snails and bivalves;

TABLE 10. The major groups and component species of incidental fish catch, 1970-1980

TABLE 11. Size ranges of fish sampled from discards sold at sea by shrimp trawlers in Niger delta waters

TABLE 12. Percentage composition of shrimping operation at 10-14 metres depth on various fishing grounds

TABLE 13. Percentage composition of shrimping operation at 16-20 metres depth on various fishing grounds

TABLE 14. Catch analysis of a shrimper (kg), between 1992 and 1994

TABLE 15. Catch data (kg) from shrimp trawlers (an average on six units) between January and December 1997

2.6 Marketing of Shrimps

The major markets for the Nigerian shrimp in Europe are Belgium, Portugal, Spain, France and the USA. The semi-processed white Prawns attract higher price (ranging according to sizes 1-7 from US$ 3 - US$ 18/kg) than the peeled, deveined and decapitated brown shrimps sold between US$ 2 and US$ 3. All are usually packaged in 2.2-kg packets into master cartons. The shrimp catches are ususally fairly clean, though they may contain a little bit of debris and mud/sand, which are easily washed on-board the vessel. Out of the 36 operational and active shrimping companies, 14 exported shrimps to Europe in 1998. The total export was 8 028.157 MT valued at 25 865 786.43 US$. Only one company exported processed shrimps, while the others sold them unprocessed. It is worthy to note that fishery products like cuttle fish and crab legs are gradually coming into the export trade though at a marginal level. Fish fillets especially soles (cynoglossidae) were also exported in 1998. Nigeria met the European Union quality standards and is therefore authorized to export shrimps to Europe. Since then, shrimp export has become better organised and it is safe to say that no product from Nigeria has been rejected in the international market as before the introduction of international standards. The Federal Department of Fisheries as the "Competent Authority" to certify shrimps for export has worked hard to ensure that shrimp and other fishery products meet the above mentioned standards.

3. REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES

Nigeria's efforts to ensure responsible inshore fishing practices and proper management of the living marine fish and shell fish resources date back to 1971 when the first comprehensive marine fisheries legislation came into force under the Sea Fisheries Decree No 30 of 1971. In order to further promote the sustainability of the inshore fisheries and the fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria, the old decree was repealed in 1992 and replaced by the Sea Fisheries Decree No 71 of 1992. The y2859e Decree contains the general provisions for the conditions for issue of "Motor Fishing Vessel Licences", duties and powers of Authorised Persons and penalties for offences committed under it. The supplements of the Decree namely "The Sea Fisheries (Fishing) Regulations" and the "Sea Fisheries (Licensing) Regulations" contain specific provisions which guide and control investment in industrial marine fishing business and mode of operating such a venture in Nigeria. The current sea fisheries licensing and fishing regulations which impact on shrimp trawling, its by-catch and discard are:

1. Obligatory pre-purchase assurance in writing by the licensing authority that any procured vessel entering into Nigerian shrimping business would be licensed after due process. This is a measure to control, before investment, fishing effort and for preventing over-capitalisation.
2. Vessel survey and tonnage measurement in Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Transport's Government Inspector of Shipping (GIS) to ensure that only suitable and permissible vessels enter into the Nigerian shrimping or fishing fleet.
3. Restriction of size of a shrimp trawler to 23.2-m LOA and 130 GT to prevent over-sized vessels from entering into the trawl shrimp fishery.
4. Delimitation of a 5 nm non-trawling zone which places restrictions on trawling in a sea water area covering about 7 898.78 km² of the Nigerian continental shelf essentially to protect the nursery ground from indiscriminate fishing. It is also to protect the artisanal fishermen who operate within the zone, as well as to reduce conflict between them and trawler operators.
5. Codend mesh size specification, 44 mm (1¾") stretched, for any shrimp trawl net to promote sustainability of inshore trawl fisheries through rational exploitation.
6. Prohibition of the use of the same vessel licensed to trawl for fish from trawling for shrimps in order to limit the efforts to trawl for shrimps.
7. Prohibition of dumping (i.e. discard) of edible and marketable sea products and transhipment at sea of by-catch. The immediate purpose is to encourage vessels, by bringing all catches back to the home port, to increase supply of fish to the domestic market; indirectly this should also discourage non-compliance with mesh size regulation which lead to catching small-sized or juvenile fish. By the side, when this provision is complied with by the industry, it will allow for easier study of the by-catch problem.
8. Regulation concerning a minimum size of fish for sale to discourage the catching of under-sized fish and ensure the use of legal meshsize in the codend.
9. Prohibition of single and pair trawling by motorized vessels less than 20 GT and in waters shallower than 18 m to protect the juvenile fish and biodiversity in fishing grounds which also happen to be the nursery grounds in some areas.
10. The installation of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) on shrimp trawl nets is a requirement from 19 September 1996.

The issue of closed areas and/or season is major concernfor the stakeholders in the Nigerian Shrimp trawling industry and the fisheries authority. Researches are being intensified in order that concrete decisions are based on scientific knowledges and evidence. There are periodic meetings among the members of Nigerian Trawler Owners Association, the Federal Deptment of Fisheries, the Nigeria Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) and all other fisheries law enforcement agents i.e. the Nigerian Navy, The Marine Dept. of Nigeria Police, Nigerian Customs Service, surveyors or examiners appointed under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act. At these consultative fora, matters relating to legislation or any issue of interest to the inshore fishing industry, such as the management of the finite marine fisheries resources are exhaustively deliberated upon.

Constraints to better participation of stakeholders in the management of resources y2859ely relate to the fear of profit loss through perceived reduction in catches when gears with better selectivity are used. The lack of basic, essential, infrastructures on landing places or harbour to fulfil the needs of fishing operators and the generally not too conducive atmosphere may also constitute hindrances to a more co-operative attitude of the industry to the compliance with fishery management measures.

4. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES (PAST AND PRESENT)

1. The Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) undertook a lot of surveys in the past under the Marine Fisheries Resources programme. The research results provided the scientific basis for the promulgation of the repealed Sea Fisheries Decree No. 30 of 1971 under which for example fishing in the Lagos West grounds (i.e. The area of the continental shelf adjacent to the Lagos and the then Western States) was prohibited. Licensing as well as mesh size regulations were also introduced. The shrimp resource surveys and stock assessment led to the identification of the commercial potential of the penaeid shrimp resources particularly of the Niger Delta. As already mentioned, the annual potential of the shrimp resources was, in 1973, estimated to be between 3 500 MT and 4 000 MT. The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) was 2 008.02 MT in 1981. The annual catch rates and maximum yields of the penaeid shrimps - P. notialis, Parapenaeopsis atlantica and Parapenaeus longirostris were estimated byBayagbona (1979). Amadi (1982), Ajayi and Adetayo (1982) continued to investigate shrimp species abundance, distribution and catch rates. Scott (1996) highlighted the effect of shrimping on fish yield. Detailed research was conducted by Ajayi and Adetayo (1982) into the effect of shrimping trawling on biodiversity and first reported on the level of fish by-catch and discard of fishery. The overall conclusion was that the fish discard (measuring 18 cm or less) amounted to around 44% of the total catch prominently comprising Brachydeuterus aurituslisha africana and Vomer setapinnis. At the beginning of 1999, a short day survey was conducted in areas of Nigeria's coastal waters under the Gulf of Guinea Large Marine Ecosystem survey; preliminary results indicate a high proportion of under-sized fish species or juvenile to the tune of 70-90% in each haul, less than 15 cm in size.
2. Another survey was carried out between December 1998 and March 1999 using a commercial shrimping vessel during the brown shrimp season. The by-catch was confirmed to comprise juvenile of commercially important species and other species whose maximum length at infinity does not exceed 35 cm; this group constituted more than 70% of the by-catch at some shrimping grounds (Isebor, 1999).
3. It is obvious from the present situation that continuous monitoring of the fish and non-fish by-catch is very desirable. More research is required and funds for monitoring, control and surveillance projects aiming to more strict enforcement of the regulation should be looked for. more strictly.

Full knowledge of the behaviour of shrimp in the trawl nets is vital for their successful retention in the codends as shrimps have a tendency to be located near the bottom of the net as the water flow carries them to the codend (Mitchel et al, 1995). Some non-rigid devices such as shrimp/fish separator trawls, use of square meshes in place of diamond-shaped ones at the codends could be further researched. The effectiveness of diamond-shaped 44 mm meshsize now in use for shrimp should be assessed and the consequences of an increase of this meshsize as mandatory should be documented.

5. IMPACT ON RESOURCES

5.1 Impact of present exploitation pattern on the shrimp resources

The present shrimp exploitation features the concentration of operations of about 200 vessels from Long 5° 00 'E to 8° 30 'E extending down to 80 m isobath at a distance of 7-26 nml from the coast. The most abundant species P. notialis is found between 10-50 m (Dublin-Green and Tobor, 1992). Shrimping voyages take 25-45 days. The intensity of shrimping, as earlier observed, have significantly increased in the past twelve years. Ajayi and Talabi (1984), stated that, based on a sustainable yield of 3500- 4000 MT of shrimp, the fishery in Nigeria cannot absorb more than 50-60 shrimp trawlers. However, since 1992, over 8 000 are reportedly landed every year. Certainly, the viability and profitability of the commercial shrimping venture particularly in the Niger Delta area and eastwards to Calabar river mouth and particularly the considerable foreign exchange earning capacity of shrimp products at export tend to make the investors thinking that the fishery can absorb more vessels. Caution must be taken, however, to avoid over-capitalisation and possible collapse of the shrimp fishery. Granted the level of reliability of available and published catch and effort statistics, the catches are now increasing but not steadily with the CPUE range of 31.71 MT, 46.1 MT, 40.16 MT and 34.27 MT between 1991 and 1994. In reality, with the use of codends with small meshes, the CPUE range would be 20.88 MT, 33.72 MT, 29.27 MT, 25.93 MT for the same period (Olaniyi, Otobotekere, 1999). With many trawlers scrambling in the same area, in coastal waters, to catch as much as they can, both growth and recruitment over fishing can occur (Pauly, 1980).

5.2. The impact of the present exploitation pattern on the fish resources

Vessels licensed to trawl for shrimps increased from 40 in 1985 to 230 in 1994 with corresponding increase in shrimp catch from 2 376 MT to 7 884 MT. A significant drop in the number of Motor Fishing Vessels licensed to trawl for fish occurred between 1988 and 1994 when 161 and 74 were permitted to fish respectively and, as a result, there was a drop in fish landings from this source. Species landed by shrimping vessels are similar to the landings of fish fishing vessels. The concern is in the sizes of the various fish species landed and the high percentage of the juvenile. The higher proportion of smaller-sized catch is due to the use in the codend of meshes less thanthe authorised 44-mm.

In addition, it is worth mentioning that, among the sciaenidae of tropical West Africa, those from the Niger-delta were found being smaller-sized than elsewhere (Longhurst (1964). This further explains the large quantity of small fish in the landings of shrimping vessels. The overall critical impact of the present exploitation results from the fact that the target penaeid shrimps are found in relatively shallow depths where vessels catch increased quantity of juvenile and genetically undersized fish. This impact could be minimised by:

(a) The strict enforcement of the codend mesh size of 44 mm;
(b) 5 nml non-trawling zone regulations to protect the vulnerable nursery grounds and small-sized fish species;
(c) The introduction of devices which allow easy escapement of juvenile or undersized fish.

5.3 The impact of the present shrimping practices on non-fish by-catch and on the bottom habitat

Non-fish by-catches occasionally occur in the landings of shrimp trawlers.. The concerned species are normally non-targetted and include sea snails, crabs, squids, annelids such as polychaetes and oligochaetes, bivalves, gastropods and cephalopods, e.g. octopus, squids and very scarcely lobsters. Presently most of these products are not of significant economic importance and are mostly discarded except on special request for domestic consumption and when, occasionally, some companies is trying to find export markets, for instance for cephalopods and crab legs. Trawler operators indicate the seasonal occurrence of the molluscs and crabs: Crabs are common between May and October and about 1-1½ MT may be caught on a trip. Molluscs are caught between November and April with 2-3 MT per fishing trip. The impact of shrimp trawling fisheries on these invertebrates is not well documented and full scientific investigation into species composition, quantities, implications for biodiversity and potential value would be necessary.

Outrigger vessels using two or four trawl nets are bound to continuously sweep over the bottom of the sea-bed with the tickler chains stirring up the bottom thus destabilising both the infauna that live buried in the sand or mud and the epifauna which inhabit the surface of the bottom. The constant trawling activities in the shrimping grounds disturb the eggs and larvae growth and population development. Their destruction or destabilisation could have adverse effect on the ecosystem and thereby trigger migration to relatively sheltered or protected areas. The areas in-between underwater oil installations have become comparatively rich fishing/trawling grounds for experienced captains.

It is worth noting that greater impact on living marine resources and the habitat probably result more from oil prospecting and other human activities such as uncontrolled urban and industrial development accompanied by untreated solid waste disposal, filling and dredging activities, pollution, oil-well blow outs, etc. Notwithstanding, more specific research should be carried out on the real impact of trawling for shrimps on bottom habitat and benthic communities.

6. PERCEPTION

6.1 Perception of the present shrimp exploitation situation including the environmental impacts

Perceptions differ among individuals, groups and actual operators in the shrimp trawling industry. Fisheries scientists and development officers perceive imminent dangers to the sustainability of inshore trawling fisheries because of the decline in the average size of the commercial fish which are landed and the increasing quantity of small-sized or juvenile fish in fish by-catches. The gradual replacement of catch of good quality and value fish as in the past by less valued miscellaneous fish (locally referred to as MIX) is a typical, serious, sign of over fishing. However, it appears that as long as investors continue to get handsome returns on their capital investments they believe that all is still well. The obvious shift from fishing to shrimping in the late 1980's by the investors coupled with their current favourable disposition to increasing fishing efforts confirm such position and interest in earning highly valued foreign exchange. Notwithstanding, all parties favour an early introduction of closed areas based on incontrovertible scientific basis to select the area to be closed and duration of closure.

6.2 Other fishermen

Despite the prohibition of trawling by shrimpers in the 5nml of the territorial waters down to 18 m depth, conflicts are still rampant between industrial and artisanal inshore fishing operators. Thus, the canoe fishermen complain vocally against destruction and towing away of nets, ramming of canoes and threats to their very existence by commercial operators. They perceive shrimp trawling operators as not paying any attention and being, even, harmful to the resources and affecting their fishing rights. Nevertheless, booming fish by-catch marketing transactions, mostly comprising juveniles of commercial species and naturally small-sized adults of various fish species have developed among the coast between canoe and trawler operators. Fish merchants are obviously deeply involved in this business and, according to artisanal fishermen, there would be some smuggling.

6.3. Environmental Organisation/Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs)

The newly created Federal Ministry of Environment (formerly the Federal Environmental Protection Agency-FEPA) associates the problem of impact of shrimp traling fisheries to the compliance with the Code of conduct for responsible fisheries and sustainable practices. Some NGOs exist and show interest in the conservation of National resources, but concentrate more on oil pollution, and other habitat alteration and degradation. In Bayelsa and Delta States, the Niger Delta Wet Land Centre had shown concern over trawlers menace, capture of juvenile fish and dumping of discards at sea. The Friends of the Environment (FOTE) and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) perceive fishing as one of the human activities disturbing the ocean ecosystem and reducing biodiversity.

6.4 The authority

The Government agencies on Fisheries (Research and Development) and Environment have consistently shown concern about the effects of shrimp trawling fisheries on the marine ecosystem and biodiversity. It is perceived that effective regulatory and management measures must be put in place to reduce juvenile by-catches in fishing operations or prevent catching of juveniles altogether and protect nursery grounds, among other things. The prevention of excessive fishing/shrimping in the inshore waters can be achieved by the re-deployment of the Nigerian Industrial fleet to exploit the offshore pelagic and deeper water resources or operate under licence on other rich fishing grounds in the sub-region. These are perceived as possible viable options.

6.5 Knowledge about new environmentally friendly techniques and practices by the shrimping industry

The practical knowledge of By-catch Reduction Device (BRDS) of soft/rigid type is scanty but theoretical knowledge from literature is fair. There is no opposition as such to the use of friendly technologies and devices if loss of valuable shrimp products does not accompany the adoption of such techniques. However, one or two operators are quite open to innovations in gear design and construction with a view to allowing better gear selectivity and escapement of small-sized fish species. Modified nets having 60-70 mm meshsize in the codends were testedfor shrimping trawls and the interviewed skippers using these modified nets confirmed that there is no significant drop in shrimp landings but there is a reduction in juvenile by-catch. It was also observed was some saving in fuel consumption. With the success of this private initiative a multiplier effect within the industry can be expected since other fishermen are usually keen to follow successful experiment.

7. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF ADJUSTING SHRIMP FISHING TO MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRACTICES

The effects of introducing more environmentally friendly devices into the shrimp trawling fishery will bear on the gains or losses experienced by various concerned groups or individuals. The possible adjustments include the introduction of bigger codend mesh sizes for fishing nets, installation of By-catch Reduction devices (BRDs) and the enforcement of laws preventing the sale and purchase of certain prohibited sizes of fish and other products. The anticipated consequences/results of such adjustments include a reduction in the landing of juvenile fish and small-sized fish species (which are either sold into coastal rural markets or discarded) and, on medium term, the liquidation of such markets. The immediate reactions of the beneficiaries of such lucrative fish by-catch trade will definitely be negative to any such adjustment. As such, there may be a passive and indirect resistance to change.

Another implication is the possible revenue loss to fishing companies due to an overall reduction in catches and this implies that more fishing efforts will be required to capture economic quantity of shrimps. A successful adjustment to more environmentally friendly practices is bound to protect juveniles of various fish species and the sensitive nursery grounds. Thus, more fish will grow to adult sizes before capture and this will, on medium term, lead to increase of the fish landings, in terms of quantity and value and means of livelihood of the local fishermen and their dependants.

8. NATIONAL PRIORITY ISSUES REQUIRING ACTIONS TO MEET ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SHRIMP EXPLOITATION

Quite a number of national priority issues require attention in introducing more friendly innovative and adaptable shrimp trawling techniques and practices in Nigeria. Intervention in environmental and socio-economic matters requires scientific and detailed understanding of all pertinent issues to enable the development of strategic options. Such issues cover social, financial, research and development, infrastructure, and cost/benefit analysis, among others. Therefore, some of the priority issues listed below need to be addressed:

• Acquisition of appropriate and modern vessels as well as necessary equipment to strengthen research capabilities for the implementation of fisheries resources programme, gear modification and design, etc. as well as the strengthening of the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance capabilities to effectively supervise the shrimp trawling industry.
• The Present Sea Fisheries Decree No 71 of 1992 should be reviewed based on scientific information regarding the status of fish and shrimp stocks. With regard to fisheries management measures, stricter enforcement of pertinent fishing regulations, introduction of closed seasons/closed areas, accurate catch and effortdata to be provided by operators to the Federal Department of Fisheries must be accorded top priority.
• Basic, essential, infrastructure needs (access to victualling, supply of all production inputs and monitoring services, etc.)and conducive environment for the inshore trawling industry should be provided at a centralised operational harbour in Lagos where over 80% active operators are based.
• Campaign to promote responsible practices for inshore fisheries and the need for adoption of more friendly shrimping techniques/practices.

9. A PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES FOR SHRIMP EXPLOITATION

More detailed research into the inshore fisheries resources focusing on life history, reproductive cycles, migration pattern, behaviour and the environmental aspect is most desirable before the introduction of any By-catch Reduction Devices or Closed Area. The acceptance of any BRD or closed areas/season in Nigeria would therefore require an action plan featuring the following components:

• Specific research projects activities on the present exploitation patterns, behaviour of shrimps in more friendly shrimp trawl gears, volume and utilisation of by-catches and the effect of shrimp trawling practices on sea bottom and benthic creatures, etc. should be intensified as well as improvement of catch and effort statistical data collection and compilation.
  
• Local design and testing of models/full sizes soft or hard BRDs under laboratory and field conditions.
  
• Study of possible and equitable incentives for the introduction of BRDs in particular when the introduction of such devices lead to immediate losses of catch and revenue.
  
• Study of the socio-economic consequences of the implications of the elimination of existing fish by-catch trade.
  
• Campaign to dissuade the acceptance of juvenile or under-sized fish by the consumers.
  
• To put in place most cost/effective National, Regional and Global Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Systems, with air surveillance, that will allow for early detection and apprehension of erring vessels and their crew.
  
• Strategically located surveillance centres equipped with appropriate modern information/Communication technology should be established at National, and Regional levels where Environmental and by-catch problems are most severe.

10. CONCLUSION

In order to introduce effective and acceptable techniques and practices to shrimp trawling industry that would reduce fish by-catch and loss of biodiversity, it is necessary to implement a programme of action which should include the under-listed projects:

1. Underwater survey (including photography, where possible) and further study of the shrimping ground, ecosystem and ocean floor with a view to ascertaining the degree of disruption and biodiversity loss consequent upon the current and improved shrimping methods and practices.
2. Resource surveys of the Nigerian shrimp fishery to assess the current sustainable yield for fish and shrimps; size distribution; species composition, age and more detailed size composition of all by-catches. The surveys will also include an analysis of the detailed composition of non-fish by-catch and their economic importance.
3. Exploratory fishing of identified but unexploited tuna and other fisheries resources. Further studies should also be conducted into the tuna fish bait problem and other identified deeper water fish resources to determine economic viability of the exploitation of such resources.
4. A comprehensive socio-economic survey of the current status of coastal artisanal fishermen and the possible impact of by-catch trade-reduction amongst the various beneficiaries of the by-catch (investors, crew, fishing communities and buyers of the by-catches). This is with a view to recommend appropriate action that will not be socio-economically counterproductive.
5. Designing, fabricating and testing of various By-catch Reduction Devices (BRDs) with a view to adopting workable options that can be introduced for more environmentally friendly shrimp trawling practices.
6. Proper training and exposure of adequate number of personnel in Monitoring, Control and Surveillance of the marine resources so as to enforce and monitor whatever management measures now inforced or to be introduced.
7. Proper marking of non-fishing and prohibited fishing areas at different times as recommended in the Fisheries laws and management regulations and full information of the concerned fishery operators.
8. Review of Government incentive for the marine fisheries sectors (import tax reduction, credit policies, provision of vital basic infrastructure, etc.) after comprehensive studies on the economics of industrial marine fishing business. The ultimate goal is to broaden the Nigerian fish supply base through the exploitation of t, una, other pelagic and meso-pelagic resources available within the Nigerian EEZ and to promote genuine Nigerian investment in long distance fishing on rich fishing grounds where fishing rights agreements are being negotiated with some other African countries.

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