Abstract

In Nigeria, the fisheries sub-sector has beendominated by small-scale artisanal fishers who live incommunities that are characterized by high levels of poverty andfood insecurity aggravated by overexploitation and depletion ofthe fishery resources, and other environmental problems. KainjiLake has suffered reduced inflow levels from 393,369m/cu3 in1994 to 307,231m/cu3 in 2011. Similarly, the fish yield droppedfrom 27,501metric tons in 1994 to 3,476 metric tons in 2011,which jeopardized the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands ofstakeholders. The objective of this work was to develop anadaptive strategy model using the concept of sustainablelivelihoods approach. Data were largely obtained through a fieldsurvey (using questionnaire) in 30 fishing communities, andsupplemented by data from other authorities. The resultsshowed that a combination of four livelihood activities is theoptimum. The implications of the work are discussed.