Ruwan Kanya reservoir in Kano State as a model small scale sport fishing ground

The paper examined the Ruwan Kanya Reservoir in Kano State. It gave a background information on the fisheries of the lake. Also discussed is tilapia transplantation from Jakara to Ruwan Kanya reservoir. The transplantation revealed a tremendous improvement on the Lake fisheries species now recorded include Lates niloticus, Tilapia, Hydrocynus, Gnathonemus, Mormyrops mabpterurus and others. The proximity of the Ruwan Kanya Reservoir to Tiga Lake and the tourism resort near it, affords the place a good opportunity to serve as a good sport fishing ground. Procedures for transforming the reservoir to sport fishing ground have been advanced

The reproduction of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) in Opa reservoir, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Oreochromis niloticus is one of the commercial fish species in Opa reservoir. It bred throughout the period of study in the reservoir. The fish species is a maternal mouth brooder with the female specimens carrying eggs and alevins in their mouths. The sex ratio of O. niloticus was 1:1 and the maximum fecundity recorded was 1810 eggs. The fecundity increased as the fish length increased. The relatively high fecundity of the fish species in the reservoir is an indication of the suitability of the small reservoir in contributing to fish production

Sex-ratio and fecundity of catfish, Clarias gariepinus in Opa reservoir, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

The sex-ratio of Clarias gariepinus in Opa Reservoir was 2:1 (male/female). The fecundity of C. gariepinus in Opa reservoir ranged between 1,567 and 650,625 egg. The fish species had extended spawning period which probably spreads the risk of predation on the eggs. The population of the fish species could be improved by stocking with the female breeders

Alau reservoir: a multi-dimensional resource base in Borno State

Aspects of the fishery resources of Alau Reservoir in Maiduguri are reported upon in this paper. It focuses attention on the fishery in terms of fish abundance and potential. It also discusses other resources associated with the fish production. Various other possible uses of the reservoir are discussed too. The reservoir is thus revealed to be a most useful and versatile one in terms of fishery resources and fund generation

Potentials for marine fish hatchery production in Nigeria

The development of fish hatcheries and fish fingerling production in Nigeria has all along concentrated largely on the freshwater fish species without paying enough attention to the more numerous fish species that abound in our coastal/marine environment. This paper, therefore, tries to highlight some basic technologies (in term of design and management) of marine fish hatchery based on the author's experiences in Southeast Asia. Appropriate adaptable technologies for the production of our indigenous species such as the Snappers, Groupers etc. are also discussed. General recommendations are made for marine fish hatchery development in Nigeria

Evaluation of the Photometrics CH250 CCD Camera for use in the NOAA/MLML Marine Optics System

This report summarizes initial work to incorporate Photometries CH250 charge-coupled device (CCD) detectors in the NOAAIMLML Marine Optics System (MOS). The MOS spectroradiometer will be used primarily in the Marine Optics Buoy (MOBY) to surface truth the ocean color satellite, SeaWiFS, scheduled for launch later this year. This work was funded through Contract NAS5-31746 to NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center. (PDF contains 24 pages)

Habitat enhancing marine structures: Creating habitat in urban waters

Although maritime regions support a large portion of the world’s human population, their value as habitat for other species is overlooked. Urban structures that are built in the marine environment are not designed or managed for the habitat they provide, and are built without considering the communities of marine organisms that could colonize them (Clynick et al., 2008). However, the urban waterfront may be capable of supporting a significant proportion of regional aquatic biodiversity (Duffy-Anderson et al., 2003). While urban shorelines will never return to their original condition, some scientists think that the habitat quality of urban waterfronts could be significantly improved through further research and some design modifications, and that many opportunities exist to make these modifications (Russel et al., 1983, Goff, 2008). Habitat enhancing marine structures (or HEMS) are a potentially promising approach to address the impact of cities on marine organisms including habitat fragmentation and degradation. HEMS are a type of habitat improvement project that are ecologically engineered to improve the habitat quality of urban marine structures such as bulkheads and docks for marine organisms. More specifically, HEMS attempt to improve or enhance the physical habitat that organisms depend on for survival in the inter- and sub-tidal waterfronts of densely populated areas. HEMS projects are targeted at areas where human-made structures cannot be significantly altered or removed. While these techniques can be used in suburban or rural areas restoration or removal is preferred in these settings, and HEMS are resorted to only if removal of the human-made structure is not an option. Recent research supports the use of HEMS projects. Researchers have examined the communities found on urban structures including docks, bulkheads, and breakwaters. Complete community shifts have been observed where the natural shoreline was sandy, silty, or muddy. There is also evidence of declines in community composition, ecosystem functioning, and increases in non-native species abundances in assemblages on urban marine structures. Researchers have identified two key differences between these substrates including the slope (seawalls are vertical; rocky shores contain multiple slopes) and microhabitat availability (seawalls have very little; rocky shores contain many different types). In response, researchers have suggested designing and building seawalls with gentler slopes or a combination of horizontal and vertical surfaces. Researchers have also suggested incorporating microhabitat, including cavities designed to retain water during low tide, crevices, and other analogous features (Chapman, 2003; Moreira et al., 2006) (PDF contains 4 pages)

Looking for safe harbor in a crowded sea: Coastal space use conflict and marine renewable energy development

Technological advances in the marine renewable energy industry and increased clarity about the leasing and licensing process are fostering development proposals in both state and federal waters. The ocean is becoming more industrialized and competition among all marine space users is developing (Buck et al. 2004). More spatial competition can lead to conflict between ocean users themselves, and to tensions that spill over to include other stakeholders and the general public (McGrath 2004). Such conflict can wind up in litigation, which is costly and takes agency time and financial resources away from other priorities. As proposals for marine renewable energy developments are evaluated, too often decision-makers lack the tools and information to properly account for the cumulative effects and the tradeoffs associated with alternative human uses of the ocean. This paper highlights the nature of marine space conflicts associated with marine renewable energy literature highlights key issues for the growth of the marine renewable energy sector in the United States. (PDF contains 4 pages)

Non-governmental organizations and multi-sited marine conservation science: A case study

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are now major players in the realm of environmental conservation. While many environmental NGOs started as national organizations focused around single-species protection, governmental advocacy, and preservation of wilderness, the largest now produce applied conservation science and work with national and international stakeholders to develop conservation solutions that work in tandem with local aspirations. Marine managed areas (MMAs) are increasingly being used as a tool to manage anthropogenic stressors on marine resources and protect marine biodiversity. However, the science of MMA is far from complete. Conservation International (CI) is concluding a 5 year, $12.5 million dollar Marine Management Area Science (MMAS) initiative. There are 45 scientific projects recently completed, with four main “nodes” of research and conservation work: Panama, Fiji, Brazil, and Belize. Research projects have included MMA ecological monitoring, socioeconomic monitoring, cultural roles monitoring, economic valuation studies, and others. MMAS has the goals of conducting marine management area research, building local capacity, and using the results of the research to promote marine conservation policy outcomes at project sites. How science is translated into policy action is a major area of interest for science and technology scholars (Cash and Clark 2001; Haas 2004; Jasanoff et al. 2002). For science to move policy there must be work across “boundaries” (Jasanoff 1987). Boundaries are defined as the “socially constructed and negotiated borders between science and policy, between disciplines, across nations, and across multiple levels” (Cash et al. 2001). Working across the science-policy boundary requires boundary organizations (Guston 1999) with accountability to both sides of the boundary, among other attributes. (Guston 1999; Clark et al. 2002). This paper provides a unique case study illustrating how there are clear advantages to collaborative science. Through the MMAS initiative, CI built accountability into both sides of the science-policy boundary primarily through having scientific projects fed through strong in-country partners and being folded into the work of ongoing conservation processes. This collaborative, boundary-spanning approach led to many advantages, including cost sharing, increased local responsiveness and input, better local capacity building, and laying a foundation for future conservation outcomes. As such, MMAS can provide strong lessons for other organizations planning to get involved in multi-site conservation science. (PDF contains 3 pages)

The marine protected area planning process in Washington state: Recommendations for increased effectiveness

In Washington State, the Department of Natural Resources (WA DNR) is responsible for managing state-owned aquatic lands. Aquatic reserves are one of many Marine Protected Area (MPA) designations in WA State that aim to protect sensitive aquatic and ecological habitat. We analyzed the designation and early planning processes of WA State aquatic reserves, identified gaps in the processes, and recommend action to improve the WA State aquatic reserve early planning approach. (PDF contains 4 pages)

Linking public perceptions of socioeconmic change and marine resource management in rural Maine

Rural coastal regions across the United States are coping with dramatic social and environmental changes. Historically, these areas relied heavily on fishing and marine commerce and these economic activities defined the character of coastal communities. However, shifting ocean and climate conditions, together with inadequate management strategies, have led to sharp declines in harvestable marine resources. These trends, along with increasing competition from aquaculture and international sources of fish, have led to the steady decline of fishing as the central economic activity in many rural coastal communities. (PDF contains 3 pages)

Marine spatial planning approaches at the state level: Similarities and differences between MSP efforts across the country

Competing uses, sensitive and valuable marine resources, and overlapping jurisdictions complicate management decision making in the marine environment. States are developing marine spatial planning capacity to help make better decisions, particularly as demand for ocean space and resources is growing because of emerging human uses (renewable energy, aquaculture) and traditional human uses (commercial fishing, commerce). This paper offers perspectives on marine spatial planning efforts being carried out in four states across the US, and demonstrates similarities and differences between them. The approach to marine spatial planning in each state is discussed with specific attention given to issues such as what is driving the effort, data availability, maturity of the effort, and level of resources devoted to it. Highlighting the similarities and differences illustrates state and region specific challenges and the approaches being used to meet them. (PDF contains 4 pages)

An assessment of water quality in integrated poultry-cum-fish reservoir, NIFFR New-Bussa in reference to maximizing the water resources potentials of Nigeria for sustainable aquaculture under the sub-theme "Fish production and the environment"

In this reservoir, the parameters being assessed are very important in the aspect of fish culture. These parameters are: physical parameters which includes temperature (O), Transparency (M).Chemical parameters include: Dissolve oxygen (mg/l) pH concentration and the Biological Parameters which include phytoplankton and zooplankton. The phytoplankton and zooplankton identification and estimation were carried out in the NIFFR Limnology Laboratory, (Green House), New Bussa. Each identified zooplankton and phytoplankton species was placed according to its major group e.g. zooplankton was grouped into three families, Roifera, Cladocera and Copepods. During this study period it was observed that copepods have the highest total number of zooplankton both beside the poultry and monk (station 'A'&'B'). Water temperature of station 'A' (beside the poultry house) ranges from 27 C-29, 5 c also same station 'B' (near the monk). Dissolve oxygen station 'A' range from 6.30mg/l-7.40mg/l while that of station 'B' ranges from 6.20mg/7.50mg/l, turbidity reading of station A'ranges from 0.19m-0.3m while station 'B' ranges from 0.22m-0.37m. The last parameter, which is pH concentration, in both stations 8.2 was observed this is an indication that the pH was constant. According to some literature review all the water parameter figures obtained were good for fish culture

Fish distribution in a small domestic water supply reservoir: a case study of Kangimi Reservoir, Kaduna, Nigeria

A study of the composition and distribution of fish populations in the inshore, surface and bottom water habitats of Kangimi Reservoir showed that the most abundant family was the Cichlidae followed in order of abundance by the familiesCyprinidae, Schilbeidae, Mormyridae, Mochokidae, Characidae, centropomidae and Bagridae. Though the overall composition of families caught inn the three habitats did not vary significantly (P>0.05) only family Cichlidae showed habitat preference: there was a preponderance of Cichlidae in the inshore water habitat (P<0.05). The families Bagridae and Centropomidae were caught only in the inshore and bottom water habitats while the other families were caught from all habitats and showed no habitat preference. The dominance of primary and secondary consumers indicates high fish production potential under adequate management

Predicting the fisheries potentials of inland reservoirs and lakes: a case study of Kubanni Reservoir, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

The depth, alkalinity, total dissolved solids and conductivity of Kubanni Reservoir were monitored biweekly between December 2003 and April 2004. The range values and their means were 0.8-4.64m, 42-67mg/l, 52-71mg/l and 104-142 mhos/cm; 2.8m, 42.6mg/l, 59.8mg/l and 119.6 mhos/cm respectively. Total Dissolved solids correlated significantly (P<0.05) with depth and conductivity while alkalinity correlated highly and significantly(P<0.05) with conductivity, total dissolved solids but negatively correlated with depth. The electrical conductivity was positively and highly correlated with depth while Morpho-Edaphic Index (MEI) which increased with depth decrease correlated positively with conductivity. Based on the average value of the MEI the potential fish catch of the reservoir was estimated to be 38kg/ha. This estimate was compared with other values obtained from other African reservoirs/lakes and management considerations under "private liability company" are proffered