Abstract

Abeeb E. O, Akinmade Ernest, Anderson F. West and Adewale Innocent

This study was carried out to analyze the technical efficiency of artisanal fisheries in Ijebu waterside of Ogun State, Nigeria. The objective was to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of the fisherfolks; estimate the technical efficiencies of artisanal fisherfolks and determine the factors influencing the technical efficiencies of artisanal fisheries in the study area. A multistage sampling technique was used to select a total of 400 fishers from the study area. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire as interview guide, on the socio-economic characteristics, production inputs and output prices. Stochastic production frontier model was used to estimate the technical efficiencies of artisanal fishery system and the factors influencing the technical efficiencies of the fishers. The study revealed that majority of the fishers was still in their active age and fairly educated. The results of the maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters for the technical efficiency of the fisherfolks revealed that number of fishing gears, outboard engine, litres of kerosene used and quantity of bait used were found to be significant variables in the fish catch level. The inefficiency function of the sampled fisherfolks revealed that age of the fisherfolks, household size, gender and mode of operation were found to be significant factors determining the level of efficiency with a mean technical efficiency of 0.77. The study concluded that age, experience, household size, distance to the fishing ground and the mode of technology adopted were the significant variables influencing the level of technical efficiency of the fisherfolks in the study area.