Awareness, Training Needs and Constraints on Fishing Technologies among Small Scale Fishermen in Ondo State, Nigeria

The role of fishing technologies in achieving the National goal of food sufficiency cannot be over emphasized. Many small scale fishermen who are supposed to be the end users of various modern fishing technologies are ignorant of various technological opportunities they stand to gain in their profession. Therefore, the objective of the study was to determine the awareness, training needs and constraints on fishing technologies among small scale fishermen in Ondo State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling procedure was employed to select three local Government areas (Irele, Ilaje and Ese-odo), six fishing communities, and twelve artisanal fishermen to get a sample size of 216. Data were collected from the respondents using structured interview schedule and analyzed through the use of descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The results revealed that most of the artisanal fishermen were aware of the fishing technologies and 82.4% indicated favourable training needs towards fishing technologies. Major constraints experienced by the respondents were lack of proper net maintenance (76.9%), limited outboard engine repair workshop (73.6%) and effective fish processing, preservation techniques and equipment (70.4%). Significant relationship existed between awareness and training needs on fabrication of low cost fishing gears (X2 = 18.48; p < 0.00), smoking oven (X2 = 15.77; p < 0.00) and outboard engine repairs (X2 = 5.47; p < 0.01). Based on the findings of the study, concerted efforts should be made by all stakeholders to ensure that the required training needs of artisanal fishermen are met for the sustenance of fisheries technologies.