Artisanal Fisheries Tourism: Potentials and Challenges in Epe Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Artisanal fisheries constitute one of the oldest and most widespread livelihood systems in the coastal and lagoon communities of Lagos State, Nigeria, yet their potential as a foundation for niche tourism development remains largely unexamined among Nigerian scholars. This study investigates the potentials of and challenges facing artisanal fisheries tourism in Epe Local Government Area, Lagos State, drawing on a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 120 Fisherfolks and fish processors. Finding revealed that there is strong potential in the area's natural resource base, particularly the suitability of local water bodies for aqua-tourism and the diversity of fish species available, alongside marked interest in visitor activities such as seafood tasting and traditional fishing demonstrations, and broad optimism about job creation and income benefits. However, this potential was found to be constrained by gross infrastructural deficits and bureaucratic barriers to permits and licensing. The study concludes that unlocking artisanal fisheries tourism in Epe depends less on the strength of its natural endowments, which are already considerable, and more on deliberate investment in infrastructure, streamlined regulation, targeted capacity building, and environmental safeguards for Fisherfolks and fish processors. This study recommends that tourism and fisheries agencies should invest in critical infrastructure and modern equipment.