Environmental degradation continues to pose a threat to the sustainability of African natural resource endowments. Increasing demand for sand for construction purposes has made sand dredging along river or sea resources a major threat to aquatic habitats and artisanal fishing. The importance of artisanal fishing as a source of protein, and means of livelihoods in Nigeria cannot be over emphasised, bearing in mind the high level of unemployment in the country. This study examined the concept of environmental efficiency and how it can be used to evaluate the performance of artisanal fishing, using high water turbidity arising from sand dredging activities as a detrimental input. It also identified the cost and returns associated with artisanal fishing in sand dredging and non-sand dredging areas in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study highlighted the need for sand dredging activities to be monitored and urged relevant authorities to consider restricting the activities of sand dredgers to non-fishing communities. It also recommended intensive family planning campaigns in fishing communities to reduce household sizes, and called for the need for fishermen to engage in fish farming to complement their income.

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