CREDIBILITY OF INFORMATION SOURCES USED BY ARTISANAL FISHERS IN SELECTED COASTAL STATES OF NIGERIA

A study on credibility of information sources used by artisanal fishers in selected coastal states of Nigeria was carried out between January 2018 and December 2018. The study focused on Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, Nigeria in West Africa. Data was obtained from primary sources using questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was employed. The result indicates that majority of the artisanal fishers were male (79.90%) and 43% of the fishers falls within the age bracket of between 41 – 50 years. About 5.2% have been engaged in fishing activities for the past 15 years and above, while 88% of the artisanal fishers had one form of education or the other. Majority of artisanal fishers (55%) earn monthly income of between ₦11,000-₦50,000 ($30 – $130). The low income earned by fishers have negative effect on their livelihood. The most credible sources of information was: Fishers groups (75%), credit agencies (66.5%), output buyers (55.2%) and cell phones (50.9%). From the study, it is obvious that artisanal fishers need credible information in nearly all the coastal areas of Nigeria to improve the fishing industry which could eventually improve their livelihood.