Effect of Oil Spillage on Fish Farming in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Fish farming is one of the basic sources of livelihood in Niger Delta region and when compromised by environmental mishaps such as oil spillage could have a far-reaching consequence. Therefore, the study assessed the effect of oil spillage on fish farming in the study area. To achieve the main objective, the specific objectives are to describe the socio-economic characteristics of fish farmers in the study area, estimate and compare the catch of fish and the net income accruable to fish farmers in non-oil spill area and oil spill area. Identify causes and finally coping strategies employed by farmers to mitigate the effect of oil spillage on their fisheries resources.  A multi-stage sampling procedure involving both purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select 100 respondents, data were elicited from the respondents using well-structured questionnaire, data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, budgetary techniques and four point-likert scale. The results showed a mean age of 50 years and 56 years of respondents in non-oil spill and oil spill communities respectively while, 82% and 64 % of respondents in both communities were married with respondents from non-oil spill and oil spill communities having an average household size of 7 persons. Pipeline vandalism was the major causes of oil spillage with a mean of 3.96. The revenue generated from fish farming in the non-oil spill communities and oil spill communities were N 900,000 and N 322,750 respectively, the study concluded that oil spillage affected fish farming in the study area.