Residents' Perception of Aquaculture Development: The Case of Buguma Fish Farm in Rivers State, Nigeria

Residents' perception has been investigated towards the establishment of the Buguma fish farm as an intervention project to the loss of livelihood in Buguma community because of pipeline vandalism triggered pollution, rape of women fisher folks and criminal activities such as piracy, kidnapping, theft, etc. in the creeks. Specific objectives of ascertaining the residents’ perceptions of the aquaculture farm project and its activities in terms of positive and negative impacts and identification of the benefits enjoyed from the Buguma fish farm by the residents have also been assessed. The study was explorative with pragmatic philosophical worldview belonging to the class described as ‘Triangulation Mixed-Method Design (Cresswell and Tashakkori, 2007), where qualitative and quantitative data are collected at the same time, and emphasis is placed on both qualitative and quantitative data in establishing result and making recommendation (Cresswell, 2002). The study adopted both random and convenience sampling techniques which are frequently used in mixed-method studies (Cresswell, 2002 and Nueman, 2003). The number of questionnaires administered to residents’ households was 384, while the number returned was 376. The number and quality of questionnaires collected allowed a qualitative and quantitative examination of the residents’ perception of the Buguma fish farm. In general, the result of the research work affirms that there was livelihood loss due to oil pollution from pipeline vandalism; and high level of criminal activities such as kidnapping and robbery but that the Buguma fish farm as an intervention project reinvigorated the livelihood base and improved the living standard of Buguma residents as it opened window of investment opportunities, serve as a tourism destination and provides jobs/ employment for Buguma residents.