EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON LIVELIHOOD ACTIVITIES OF ARTISANAL FISHERFOLKS IN COASTAL AREAS OF SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

The effect of climate change on livelihood activities of artisanal fisher folks was carried out in coastal areas of Southwest Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 422 respondents. Data were obtained with the use of structured interviewed schedule and subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis at 0.05 level of significance. Results indicated that 80.8% of the fisher folks were between 31-50 years of age, 92.6% were married, 82.7% had 16 years and above fishing experience.  Also, 96.9% of fisher folks do not have access to extension services. Majority (97.2%), (85.8%) and (84.8%) experienced intensity rainfall, flooding, and ocean as effect, respectively. There were significant relationships between effect of climate change on livelihood activities of artisanal fisher folks and their age (χ² = 11.0; P = 0.001), sex (χ² = 38.5; P = 0.000), marital status (χ² = 27.9; P = 0.000), house hold size (χ² = 11.13; P = 0.011) and income (χ² = 51.94; P = 0.000). Results also showed that there is significant difference in the effect of climate change on livelihood of artisanal fisher folks (F = 13.565; P = 0.000) across the selected States in South West Nigeria. The study concludes that Lagos State fisher folks recorded the highest effect of climate change followed by Ogun State and then Ondo State. The study recommended that extension officer should create awareness on climate change and credit facilities should be accessible to fisher folks with the services of good roads, healthcare and market to facilitate their adaptation to the effect of climate variability in fishing communities across sampled States.