Journal of Agricultural Science; Vol. 8, No. 6; 2016 ISSN 1916-9752 E-ISSN 1916-9760 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education 169 Awareness, Training Needs and Constraints on Fishing Technologies among Small Scale Fishermen in Ondo State, Nigeria Joshua Babatunde Ogunremi 1 1 Department of Biological Sciences, Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria Correspondence: Joshua Babatunde Ogunremi, Department of Biological Sciences, Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria. Tel: 234-810-265-0455. E-mail: jogunremi@gmail.com Received: February 25, 2016 Accepted: April 15, 2016 Online Published: May 15, 2016 doi:10.5539/jas.v8n6p169 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jas.v8n6p169 Abstract The role of fishing technologies in achieving the National goal of food sufficiency cannot be over emphasized. Many small scale fishermen who are supposed to be the end users of various modern fishing technologies are ignorant of various technological opportunities they stand to gain in their profession. Therefore, the objective of the study was to determine the awareness, training needs and constraints on fishing technologies among small scale fishermen in Ondo State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling procedure was employed to select three local Government areas (Irele, Ilaje and Ese-odo), six fishing communities, and twelve artisanal fishermen to get a sample size of 216. Data were collected from the respondents using structured interview schedule and analyzed through the use of descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The results revealed that most of the artisanal fishermen were aware of the fishing technologies and 82.4% indicated favourable training needs towards fishing technologies. Major constraints experienced by the respondents were lack of proper net maintenance (76.9%), limited outboard engine repair workshop (73.6%) and effective fish processing, preservation techniques and equipment (70.4%). Significant relationship existed between awareness and training needs on fabrication of low cost fishing gears (χ 2 = 18.48; p < 0.00), smoking oven (χ 2 = 15.77; p < 0.00) and outboard engine repairs (χ 2 = 5.47; p < 0.01). Based on the findings of the study, concerted efforts should be made by all stakeholders to ensure that the required training needs of artisanal fishermen are met for the sustenance of fisheries technologies. Keywords: artisanal fishermen, fishing technologies, training needs 1. Introduction Nigeria like any other developing countries is in dare need to meet up fast with the rest of developed world in fish production hence, on recognition of the great potentials of small scale fishing in Nigeria, government is making all necessary efforts to ensure that appropriate technologies are made available to fishermen through adequate training which will reduce fish spoilage, increase catches and on the long run improve the livelihood of the fishermen. Any attempt at defining distinctive characteristics for subsistence, artisanal and traditional small scale fishers is inevitably faced with the overlapping and shifting nature of these fisheries and this makes any one definition difficult (Sunde & Pedersen, 2007). Definitions and terminologies differ, are often ambiguous, and are also not used consistently (FAO, 2005; O’Riordan, 2005; Branch, 2005; Hauck, 2000). The use of the term ‘small-scale fishers’ as defined is a more developmental approach to management, as it will allow for growth and entrepreneurship within the sector, enabling fishers to increase their capacity to engage with the market and move into more lucrative ventures. Fishers will not be ‘locked’ into a definition that precludes them from adding value to the resources that they rely on for livelihood purposes, irrespective of whether these resources are perceived as high or low value resources (Sunde & Pedersen, 2007). The 'cut off' criterion for small-scale or traditional and industrial varies according to national characteristics of the fisheries. In some cases, size of boat or engine power defines the cut off, and in other cases the zone prioritized and set aside for the artisanal/small-scale is the determining criterion, e.g. in Guinea Bissau where the first 6 nautical mile zone is exclusively for small-scale fishing (O’Riordan, 2005). The variance in scale incorporated in definitions used in the African context is confirmed by Sowman (Sowman, 2004). Whether previously regarded as ‘subsistence’, ‘artisanal’ or ‘limited commercial’, all small-scale fishers require a similar ‘enabling policy’ and management approach. This enabling policy will provide the mechanisms to ensure that the