The study evaluated the ECOWAS fund accelerated artisanal fish production project (EFAAFPP) in
Delta State. Primary data for the study were obtained through the use of interview schedule from 120
respondents of artisanal fisher folks (AFFs) while secondary data were obtained from the NACRDB
office. Percentage, mean, t-test, chi-square statistics and factor analysis were used in analyzing data.
Majority (65.8%) of the respondents were males and married (68.1%). Their mean age was 45.7
years.The study further revealed that fibre glass canoes; canoes, outboard engines, synthetic fishing
nets, ice boxes, smoking kilns, floaters, sinkers, anchors, and fishing accessories like knives,
lanterns, and hooks were distributed at a total value of N 97,635,200 to AFFs in Delta State by the
NACRDB. Results of the findings showed that the respondents have adopted the following
technologies disseminated by extension agents: synthetic fishing nets, smoking kilns, post harvest
processing technique, and mending synthetic nets.The identified coping mechanisms used by AFFs
during poor harvest and off-season included small scale artisanal fishing ( X = 2.34); farming ( X =
2.26), harvesting of crustaceans ( X = 2.00) and harvesting of bivalves ( X = 2.00). The programme
had contributed to the standard of living of AFFs in terms of an increase in their income, household
materials possessed, and ease of accessibility to modern fishing inputs. The study further revealed
that there was a significant association (?² = 68.5; P = 0.05) between the different household
materials possessed by AFFs and their participation in the EFAAFPP. A similar significant
association (?² = 142.8; P = 0.05) was observed between the level of artisanal fishing skills acquired
by AFFs and their participation in the intervention. Also there was a significant association (?² =
123.4; P = 0.05) between the ease in accessibility to modern fishing inputs by the AFFs and their
participation in the programme. Finally a significant association (?² = 116.6; P = 0.05) was observed
between the participation of AFFs and their knowledge of searching for additional artisanal fishing
technologies. The identified major constraints to the effective performance of the EFAAFPP were
family problems, environmental problems and extraneous problems. It was recommended that a
community based management approach involving all key stakeholders should be introduced in
artisanal fishing communities in Delta State to regulate the exploitation of fisheries resources for
continued sustainability of all participants who fish within these open waters.