SOCIO- ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS AND FISHERY ACTIVITIES OF PEOPLE

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to assess the socioeconomic characteristics and fisheries activities of people living around Useh Flood Reservoir in Egor Local Government area of Edo State A purposive and simple random sampling technique was used to sample 100 respondents for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequency. Results showed the impact of flood on the daily activities of respondent and 54% of them agreed that flood has caused damage to properties and that it has caused nonfunctioning of some facilities, has reduced businesses and led to migration of people from the community. Results also showed that 55% of respondent agreed that displacement from one’s home, loss of property, and livelihood, disruption of business and social affairs can cause continuous stress. About 78% of the respondents agreed that infrastructure like road is a major issue to the community and thereby causing stress to the people. The health implication reported by respondents were psychological stress as agreed by 67% of respondents and transmission of disease like malaria. Also, the traumatizing effect of losing of family members due to flood has a long-lasting effect on persons affected. The effect of the flood on flora and fauna negatively affected the natural and ranching habitat as agreed by 50% of respondents while bio diversity destruction was also identified by 52% of respondents and this has led to reduction in the capture of animals and also impair nutrient up take by plant. Based on the result of the study it was concluded that flooding has affected aquatic life in the community by destroying the flora and fauna of the reservoir. It was therefore, recommended that government should take into consideration the welfare of the inhabitants and reduce or eliminate cases of ill health that before the community by bringing infrastructure that can help in the community and also efficient monitoring and maintenance of all national lake and reservoirs