FORESTRY AND FISHING

Forestry and Fishing

The bulk of Nigeria’s forest production is fuelwood, consumed either as
wood or as charcoal. In 2003 fuelwood production was 60 million cubic
meters (2.1 billion cubic feet), harvested mostly near dense urban
areas. By contrast, annual lumber production—mostly hardwoods such as
mahogany, iroko, and obeche—averaged 2 million cubic meters (71 million
cubic feet), almost all from the tropical forest zone. Consequently,
Nigeria, once a significant exporter of timber, is a net importer. Ongoing,
rapid deforestation makes it unlikely the situation will improve
appreciably.

Nigeria’s 2001 fish catch was 476,500 metric tons live. Slightly less
than half the catch was from inland waters, mainly Lake Chad, the Niger
Delta, and Kainji Lake. Various species of catfishes, tilapias, and
Nile perch, among others, are harvested using small-scale and traditional
methods. Sardinellas, bonga shad, and shrimp are harvested from the
Atlantic Ocean. In 1975 the government established the Nigerian National
Fish Company to enter into joint fishing ventures with foreign
companies. Most of Nigeria’s 330 vessels larger than 100 gross registered tons
are concentrated inshore;
deep-sea fishing is still dominated by foreign boats