A review of artisanal marine and brackishwater fisheries of south-eastern Nigeria

Analysis of 23 year (1969–1991) catch–effort statistics of the artisanal fisheries of south-eastern Nigeria, using both the linear and the exponential surplus production models showed that the pelagic, demersal and crayfish resources available to the artisanal fisheries have been overfished; the stocks were most seriously depleted between 1984 and 1987. There was a slight improvement between 1988 and 1991, but currently the stocks are still in a depressed state. The problems of sustainability of the artisanal fisheries resources are discussed.