Delving into the Major Occupation of the Ijaw Man — A Case Study of Fishing in Gbaramatu, Delta State.

Delving into the Major Occupation of the Ijaw Man — A Case Study of Fishing in Gbaramatu, Delta State

By NigerDelta Voice Reporters, Warri South-West  Correspondent, November 6, 2025

Fishing remains the major occupation and lifeline of the Ijaw people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, providing both food and income for thousands of families across the creeks and riverine communities.

From Oporoza to Okerenkoko and Benikrukru, men, women, and youths depend largely on the waters for survival, engaging in daily fishing activities with canoes, nets, and traps. The trade sustains the local economy, as fish and seafood from Gbaramatu supply markets across Warri and neighboring towns.

However, the once-thriving occupation faces growing challenges. Frequent oil spills, water pollution, and restricted access to fishing zones have greatly reduced catches, leaving many fishermen frustrated and impoverished. Community leaders lament that the environmental degradation caused by oil exploration has crippled their means of livelihood.

Mrs. Ebierin Pere, a fish trader in Oporoza, described fishing as “the heartbeat of the Ijaw man,” adding that “without clean water, we have no life.”

Local activists and traditional rulers are urging government agencies and oil companies to intensify cleanup efforts and support alternative livelihood schemes to revive the region’s fishing heritage.

For the Ijaw people of Gbaramatu, fishing is not just an occupation — it is culture, identity, and survival.

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