MANAGING MARINE RESOURCES FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examines the essence of managing marine resources for economic growth and environmental sustainability in Nigeria. The objectives were to evaluate the economic impact of marine resource management in Nigeria; analyze the effects of marine resource depletion on ecosystems in Nigeria; and identify integrated management strategies for marine resources in Nigeria. The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine the invited sample size of 297 out of a population of 840 and the accepting sample was 289, giving a response rate of 97.31%. The study used survey design which involved questionnaire and structured interview for the collection of primary data. Responses from 4-point Likert Scale questionnaire administered were analyzed using descriptive statistics.  The study finds, amongst others, that proper management of marine resources enhances tourism opportunities, thereby resulting in increased revenue for coastal communities in Nigeria; depletion of marine resources significantly disrupts the balance of marine ecosystems in Nigeria; effective marine resource management leads to a sustainable fishery industry that positively impacts local economies in Nigeria and that marine resource management supports the growth of small businesses that are reliant on marine resources, which contribute to overall economic development in Nigeria. The study recommends that stakeholder engagement should be encouraged towards policy analysis and the identification of best practices for balancing marine resource use with ecological integrity.

Keywords: marine resource management, biodiversity, environmental sustainability, economic growth, and overexploitation