Climate Catastrophe: Nigerian Fishermen Face Ruin as Fish Flee Warming Waters

In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, the Atlantic coastline communities, particularly Ikot Inua Eyet in Akwa Ibom State, are grappling with the severe consequences of climate change, which has profoundly altered the traditional livelihoods of fishermen. Christian Inyang, a 52-year-old fisherman, reflects the despair of many as he observes the once-bountiful river, now yielding significantly less. What used to be a reliable source of croaker, catfish, and bonga in shallow creeks has become increasingly empty, forcing fish farther offshore into deeper waters, inaccessible to those without large boats and powerful engines.

For decades, fishing has been the lifeblood of coastal communities across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, and Cross River states, with children inheriting the trade from their parents. This sector is crucial for Nigeria, providing much of the protein for its over 200 million people. However, it is now under immense pressure, with climate change being a primary driver.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global marine ecosystems are being reshaped by rising ocean temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise. Fish species, seeking cooler temperatures, are migrating to deeper or more distant waters, making them harder for small-scale artisanal fishers to catch. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) corroborates this, highlighting climate change’s impact on fish distribution, breeding, and the overall productivity of coastal fisheries, especially in developing nations heavily reliant on traditional fishing methods.

Nigeria is particularly vulnerable to climate change, experiencing escalating temperatures, erratic rainfall, coastal erosion, and widespread flooding. These phenomena threaten livelihoods nationwide, from the diminishing fish stocks in the Niger Delta to advancing desertification in the Sahel, pushing millions in farming and fishing communities toward greater food insecurity.

The economic toll on fishermen like Mr. Inyang is stark. What once brought in N700,000 to N800,000 from a week-long fishing trip now yields N150,000 or less. After deducting fuel costs, worker wages, and crew sustenance, very little remains. This financial strain is exacerbated by the need for expensive, high-horsepower engines to reach distant fishing grounds, a luxury many small-scale fishers cannot afford.

Nigeria's fish production, which stood at approximately 1.2 million metric tonnes annually and reached 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2025, falls significantly short of the estimated annual consumption of 3.6 million metric tonnes. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, highlighted post-harvest losses of up to 30 percent, further undermining supply and affordability. This crisis is compounded by decades of inadequate government investment, leaving small-scale fishers with outdated equipment, poor storage facilities, and limited access to credit or training in sustainable practices. Professor Eyo Ambrose of the University of Uyo notes that while local fishermen struggle to access deep-sea resources, foreign vessels with large trawlers exploit Nigeria's fish stocks with minimal monitoring.

Facing these challenges, many fishermen are forced to seek alternative livelihoods. In Okorotip, Aniedi Uwem has switched to crab harvesting, as the fish he once caught in shallow waters are gone. Aniefiok Edet, another fisherman, observes the scarcity, attributing it to a spiritual will, yet acknowledging the undeniable shift of fish to deeper waters. These shifts have led to a dramatic increase in market prices for fish; a quantity that once sold for N10,000 now goes for N22,000, and a stick of small tilapia has more than doubled from N3,000 to N7,000.

Beyond the dwindling fish, the sea itself is encroaching. Residents of Oborotip, like Affiong Benjamin, point to homes damaged and fishing equipment carried away by advancing floodwaters. Families resort to piling sand around their homes in desperate attempts to hold back the rising tide. Community leader Effiong Akpan warns that parts of the settlement risk disappearing entirely, highlighting that fishing is their sole livelihood since land for farming has been lost to water.

On paper, Nigeria has taken steps to address climate change, submitting its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) and pledging a 32 percent emission reduction by 2035, aiming for net-zero by 2060. However, implementation remains a major hurdle. The estimated $337 billion needed between 2026 and 2035 to achieve NDC 3.0 far exceeds current commitments, creating a significant gap between policy ambition and tangible action. Consequently, coastal communities are largely left to adapt on their own, often without support, despite some government provision of basic infrastructure like roads and electricity.

Christian Inyang believes a practical solution for his community lies in dredging the nearby river, which has become too shallow since operations ceased around 2018 or 2019. He hopes deepening the water would encourage fish to return closer to shore. Brave Imiete, a marine policy analyst, underscores the need for sustainable adaptation measures and increased investment in advanced marine research to understand and support Nigeria’s marine ecosystem. He advocates for collaborative efforts, informed decision-making, and adaptive management to secure fish stocks and protect the livelihoods of coastal communities.