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Source of information
United Nations Geospatial Information Section http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/english/htmain.htm
Imagery for continents and oceans reproduced from GEBCO, www.gebco.net
The designations employed and the presentation of material in the map(s) are for illustration only and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.
Part I of the Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profile is compiled using the most up-to-date information available from the FAO Country briefs and Statistics programmes at the time of publication. The Country Brief and the FAO Fisheries Statistics provided in Part I may, however, have been prepared at different times, which would explain any inconsistencies.
Country briefUpdated 11-2017
With an estimated annual per caput fish consumption of 13.3 kg in 2013, fish represents an important dietary element and one of the few sources of animal protein available to many Nigerians. In 2015, the total fisheries production was estimated at 1 027 000 tonnes, to which marine catches contributed 36 percent, inland waters catches contributed 33 percent and aquaculture 31 percent. Fishery sector contributed to 0.5 percent of national GDP in 2015.
More than 80 percent of Nigeria’s total domestic production is generated by artisanal small-scale fishers from coastal, inshore, creeks of the Niger Delta, lagoons, inland rivers and lakes. The small migratory bonga (Ethmalosa fimbriata) is the principal catch. Some initial progress has been made in developing an industrial fisheries sector, but the fleet and infrastructure are ageing. The main species from marine capture fisheries are sardinella.
With total fish imports amounting to about USD 1.2 billion and exports valued at USD 284 390 million in 2013, Nigeria is a net importer of fishery products. Fishing is a major source of livelihood. In 2014, 713 036 were reported as engaged in inland fisheries with 21% of this total women. 15% of the total 764 615 people engaged in other fisheries were women in 2014.
The aquaculture sector is driven by the private sector, with feed and seed provided by private business. Owing to recent significant investments of private capital and a renewed political will to empower the private sector in the area of aquaculture development, Nigeria is the largest aquaculture producer in Sub-Saharan Africa and this importance is steadily increasing. From 21 700 tonnes in 1999, aquaculture production has grown steadily to 316 700 tonnes in 2015 according to the government report. Catfish, typically grown in ponds and tanks, is the most farmed species in Nigeria, constituting over half of the total aquaculture production by volume. In 2012, 13 627 people were reported as employed in aquaculture (2% were women).
FAO Fisheries statisticsTable 2 in this section is based on statistics prepared by the FAO Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit and disseminated in 2018. The charts are based on the same source but these are automatically updated every year with the most recent statistics.
Table 2 – Fisheries statistics – Federal Republic of Nigeria
1980
1990
2000
2010
2014
2015
2016
EMPLOYMENT (thousands)
469.07
490.00
1177.31
1519.64
1477.65
1565.36
1190.50
Aquaculture
…
…
…
0.01
…
…
…
Capture
469.07
490.00
1177.31
1519.63
1477.65
1565.36
1190.50
Inland
…
…
716.62
831.54
713.04
782.75
652.60
Marine
469.07
490.00
460.69
688.08
764.62
782.61
537.90
FLEET(thousands boats)
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Source: FAO Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics
1) Due to roundings total may not sum up
Please Note:Fishery statistical data here presented exclude the production for marine mammals, crocodiles, corals, sponges, pearls, mother-of-pearl and aquatic plants.
This country profile provides statistics and indicators produced through FAO’s Statistics programmes, supplemented with information derived from national and other sources and valid at the time of compilation.