The fisheries of Rivers of Nigeria’s Niger Delta: Biodiversity, Abundance, Distribution and Sustainability Issues- A Critical Review

The exploitation and conservation practices of fisheries of Niger Delta, Nigeria have great impact on the management of these resources. The Niger Delta region is predominantly coastal in nature and embedded in fresh, brackish and marine waters, these form different degrees of ecosystems. The region is predominantly located in the southern part of Nigeria, bound by the Atlantic Ocean and enveloped by the continental shelf and portion of Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It is known that the most important living aquatic resources in the world are the fishes. Other living resources are the mammals, reptiles, amphibians, plants, made-up of blue-green algae, multicellular algae. Various ways and measures, and strategies are put in place for sustainable exploitation of these resources and thereby protect and ensure preservation of these resources, are highlighted. The problems, prospects and opportunities in harnessing and managing these resources for sustainability are discussed. In general, appropriate strategies should be encouraged for responsible fishing within the zone not only for sustainable fisheries, but to avert damage to lives of local indigenous people particularly the fishermen who are always in the creaks and Delta basin in view of the fact that other heavy duty activities including excavation, dredging and oil-exploration, take place in the very deep parts of our waters. Appropriate strategies therefore, for responsible fishing within this zone in ways to avert danger to the lives of the local fisher-folk should be put in place in view of the fact that large unexploited fish stocks exist in the very deep parts of our territorial waters, contributing to a coastal nation's food security, should be fully exploited. Keywords: Occurrence, Fauna, Flora, Creeks, Delta basin.