The global fisheries production data is not a true reflection of the development in some of the regions of the world. The Less Developing Countries (LDCs) have been experiencing serious decline in production in recent years. Per capita fish supply in the LDCs is still relatively low at an estimated 8.5kg in 2001 (industrialized
Adoption of Aquaculture Technology by Fish Farmers in Imo State of Nigeria Nwachukwu Ike and Onuegbu Roseline
The Journal of Technology Studies
countries = 13.2 kg) (Greenfacts, 2004). In Africa, the fish sector provides income for over 10 million people engaged in fish production, processing and trade (New Partnership for African Development, 2005). Fish has also become a leading export commodity for Africa with an annual export value of $2.7 billion (U.S.). Yet these benefits are at risk as the exploitation of natural fish stocks is reaching its limits (Mutume, 2002). Although there is a paucity of information on the status of the fisheries industry, and the role it plays, it is estimated that Africa produced 7.3 million tons in 2003, and 4.8 million tons was from marine fisheries (FAO, 2003).