Jemimah Timothy Ekanem
AkwaIbom State University, Nigeria
Title: Perceived impact of climate change on fish production by fish farmers in AkwaIbom State, Nigeria
Biography
Biography: Jemimah Timothy Ekanem
Abstract
The study was conducted in AkwaIbom State, the South-South geopolitical region of Nigeria. It aimed at examining the sources/level of awareness, the perceived impact of climate change on fish production and possible mitigation or adaptation measures taken by Fish Farmers in the study area. 120 Fish Farmers were selected using a multistage sampling method and data were collected through semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. From the findings, it was evident that farmers have heard about climate change but had low level of knowledge of the impact of climate change on their production capacity as their main sources of information were from their fellow farmers and personal experience. High rainfall, variability in temperature, massive flood, poor harvest and food insecurity and hunger, were some of the perceived impact of climate change on fish production and measures like adjustment of stocking intervals, stocking of quick maturing/adaptive species, increased use of concrete ponds by the fish farmers in the study area. The study concluded that there was need for increased awareness and intensive education of Fish Farmers by Extension Workers through the use of individual, group and mass media contacts on the effects of climate change on fish production and perhaps, unveil some indigenous measures which could be employed in mitigating climate change effect on fish production to the Farmers.