Local Perceptions of Dolphins in Eastern Nigerian Inshore Atlantic: Effort for Community-Based Conservation Strategy

The study assessed perception of bonga purse seine fishermen on dolphin with the view to raising awareness on the need for conservation of dolphin in tropical marine water. The study was conducted at Ibaga fishing community... [ view full abstract ]

The study assessed perception of bonga purse seine fishermen on dolphin with the view to raising awareness on the need for conservation of dolphin in tropical marine water. The study was conducted at Ibaga fishing community located in Akwa Ibom State, southern Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was adopted for selection of the fishermen. Structure questionnaire and focus group discussion were used for data collection. The fishermen were sampled at the shore after they have returned from the fishing trips, especially when they were carrying out repair of their nets. The fishermen carry out fishing activities at onshore, nearshore and offshore depending on the season of the year. Dolphin is eaten by some people, and at the same time dislike but some people. Among the negative perceptions and believe of the fishermen on dolphin is that it is a spiritual (and sometimes evil possessed) aquatic animal, and that it brings bad luck to fishermen. Dolphin is believed to have some human resembled features such as blood, blood vein and internal organs. Also, dolphin is believed to be an emotional animal and shed tears (cry) like human. The fishermen did not deliberately catch dolphin unless it finds its way into the net during the process of hauling. All the sampled fishermen have killed dolphins in the previous years. Dolphin was tagged “bad luck” to fishermen because when it accidentally enters a net meant to catch bonga fish, it normally damage and destroy the net causing other fish already caught to escape. There is urgent need for formulation of conservation law and imposition of restriction against killing of dolphins and other threaten aquatic animals in the study area. 

Above all, there is need for wide conservation education targeted at dolphins as well as awareness and sensitization on the true nature of dolphins to correct the wrong perceptions of the fishermen. Since dolphins cause damages to nets during incidental catch, there should be an incentive for the fishermen to facilitate repair of such nets. Also, fishermen should be instructed to return any dolphin that are accidentally caught in their nets rather than killing.