Oluwasola Busuyi Ojo

Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Aquaculture, 2026, Vol. 16, No.   
Received: 01 Jan., 1970    Accepted: 01 Jan., 1970    Published: 16 Apr., 2026

The coast of Nigeria is increasingly experiencing pressure due to climate change and its impact on small-scale and artisanal fisheries. The current study analyzed the effect of changing rainfall patterns, temperature increases, and changing hydrological systems on small-scale fisheries in the Ilaje Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State, Nigeria. Randomly, four fishing villages, Ayetoro, Bijimi, Idiogba, and Asumogha, were selected to represent the fishing population. The study employed a dual approach, primary and secondary data. The primary data were 285 full responses obtained through questionnaires, while secondary data were 30 years of rainfall and temperature records collected from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), complemented with government documents, and fisheries data. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25, employing descriptive statistics, Chi-square, ANOVA, and regression, while qualitative data were analyzed to understand the different adaptation strategies employed. The results evidenced of the last 30 years. There is a measurable decrease in rainfall days (218 days in 1996 to 182 days in 2025); a range of rainfall of 1,700–2,200 mm; and for the last 30 years a steady increase in temperature, whereby the mean annual temperature increased from 27.4 to 28.5-degree Celsius. An increase in maximum temperatures from 32.6°C to 33.3°C was recorded, along with a rise in minimum temperatures from 19.6°C to 21.3°C. Critical hydrological conditions were described based on fish productivity: almost all participants (98.6%) agree that increased water levels result in greater fish catches, and 97.5% believe that decreased water levels lead to lower fish catches. The study observed that the variability of the climate in Ilaje has disrupted the fisheries and the livelihoods of the people. The study’s recommendations to improve climate-related fishing are better water management and fishing practice, shoreline protection, diversifying livelihoods, building stronger community cooperatives, and enhancing resilience to sustain Nigeria’s coastal blue economy, especially the coastal fisheries. Keywords: Rainfall variability, Temperature trends, Hydrological changes, Ilaje fishing communities, Adaptation strategies