This study was aimed at determining the methods of processing and distribution employed by fish processors in Ikpoba-Okha local Government Area, Edo State.

The study was carried out with well-structured questionnaires, which were administered to fish processors and marketers. Four major processing settlements and markets in the local government area were investigated and they are; Okha market, Uteh community, Ogheghe community and Ikpoba Hill (Army barracks) and they were purposively selected. 100 smoked fish processors were interviewed during the course of the research.

The study has shown that (73.0%) of the fish processors were female, and (72.0%) of the women were mostly married in the four areas. This research has also shown that majority of the processors about (94.8%) had primary university educations. Majority (88.0%) of the fish processors belonged to family size of 4-6 people. The research also shows that most of the processors use firewood and wood shavings as their source of energy (48.9%). (62.8%) of the processors revealed that they take their smoked fish directly to markets or consumers on a daily basis, (66.7%) of the processors revealed that they can be stored for up to a day before reaching the final consumers and majority (60.2%) of the processors stored their fish by covering up in the open. Majority (37.5%) of the respondents complained of insect and breakage problems while processing their fish. The research also reveals that majority (46.2%) of the respondent’s use trays and cartons to distribute their processed fish from point of processing to where it will be consumed or marketed. While majority (66.7%) of the respondents also revealed that processed fish products can be stored for at least a day before getting to the final consumer in good condition.

The study revealed that fish processing is a profitable venture in the study area but needs economic and technological enhancement in processing, handling and storage in order to reduce postharvest losses. The study recommends that agricultural extension’s arm of state should improve the network for market price information and dissemination among all participants (fishermen, processors and traders) to improve marketing efficiency, Federal Department of Fisheries should assist in subsidizing and regulating prices of raw materials required for processing and provide adequate extension personnel to educate the processors and marketers on effective practices, the state extension arm should also educate fishermen, processors and traders or marketers with techniques and methods of reducing fish loss and post-harvest losses.