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VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 (2026)
A comparative review of the historical development, current status, challenges, and strategic interventions in fisheries and aquaculture development in Sierra Leone and Nigeria
Authors
Esther Edith Kargbo, Samuel Ifeanyi Ogbuagu, Ibrahim Bah, Nworie Cynthia Chinagorom, Emmanuel Bob Samuel Simbo
Abstract
Though often overlooked, aquaculture and
fisheries play major roles in feeding populations, creating jobs, and
supporting economies across West Africa, especially within Sierra Leone and
Nigeria. This review comparatively examines the historical evolution, current
status, key challenges, and strategic interventions shaping fisheries and
aquaculture development in both countries. In Sierra Leone, one out of every
two people relying on coastal work depends on fishing activities for survival.
Fisheries contribute nearly 80% of animal protein intake and support roughly
half a million livelihoods, with artisanal fisheries leading production.
However, the sector faces persistent challenges including illegal, unreported,
and unregulated (IUU) fishing, weak governance structures, limited
infrastructure, and low aquaculture productivity notwithstanding substantial
inland water potential. In contrast, Nigeria possesses more extensive aquatic
resources and a larger, more diversified fisheries economy. Although artisanal
fishing supports much of the nation's food needs, farming aquatic species, especially
African catfish has grown fast, making Nigeria top producer in sub-Saharan
Africa. Yet even with such progress, gaps in fish availability remain large due
to high production cost, damage to natural systems, weak oversight structures,
and limits on long-term industry development. Through synthesis of experiential
studies and institutional reports, this review recognizes shared structural
challenges, including overexploitation of capture fisheries, infrastructural
gaps, limited access to finance, and governance fragmentation. Policy efforts,
shaped through national and international cooperation, pivot toward upgrading aquaculture
networks, improving skills, reshaping regulations, along with balancing
ecological limits against production goals. Though Nigeria advances faster in
cultivating aquatic species, Sierra Leone reveals hidden possibilities within
its natural and human resources. Greater coherence in authority structures,
deeper financial engagement, together with methods that do not compromise
future stocks and support sustainable food and nutrition security in both countries.
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Pages:61-66
How to cite this article:
Esther Edith Kargbo, Samuel Ifeanyi Ogbuagu, Ibrahim Bah, Nworie Cynthia Chinagorom, Emmanuel Bob Samuel Simbo "A comparative review of the historical development, current status, challenges, and strategic interventions in fisheries and aquaculture development in Sierra Leone and Nigeria". International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research, Vol 11, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 61-66
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