Increasing the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security

The objectives of these Technical Guidelines are to provide a focus on small-scale fisheries and their current and potential role in contributing to poverty alleviation and food security by expanding on the guidance on small-scale fisheries offered by the Code. The Guidelines are complementary to existing Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries. Most small-scale fishers are in developing countries and many live in communities characterized by poverty and food insecurity. Small-scale fishing communities are faced with an array of serious problems, including overexploitation and depletion of resources, lack of alternative sources of employment, rapid population growth, migration of populations, displacement in coastal areas due to industrial development and tourism, pollution and environmental degradation and conflicts with large commercial fishing operations. However, small-scale fisheries are critical for food security and poverty alleviation in many countries. The first part of the Guidelines discusses the current contribution, role and importance of small-scale fisheries in poverty alleviation and food security. It examines the importance of small-scale fisheries for poverty alleviation at a national, local and household level. It also notes the nutritional qualities of fish and thus the particular role of fish in nutritional aspects of food security. The fact that about half of all fish caught for human consumption comes from small-scale fisheries underlines the importance of this subsector for the world fish supply. In many countries small-scale fisheries contribute to national food security both directly – where fish is a crucial part of the daily diet, and indirectly – by generating foreign exchange earnings that enable the purchase through trade of a range of food products. The second part of the Guidelines explores ways through which the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security could be enhanced. A vision for the future of small-scale fisheries is presented as a goal towards which the subsector should develop. Ensuring greater participation by small-scale fishers and their communities in the formulation of policies, the development of related legislation and regulations, and in management decision-making and implementation processes, is vital to the realization of this vision. The central role of effective fisheries management, the importance of considering cross sectoral uses of fisheries and related resources, the special role of women in fish marketing, processing and value addition, the significant scope for trade, the critical role that adequate financing may have in enabling transitions for effective fisheries management and the role of knowledge in making informed decisions are all discussed in these Guidelines. (PDF contains 97 pages)

Growth responses and yield of heterotis (Heterotis niloticus) on artificial diet

The growth responses and yield of Heterotis niloticus on artificial diets of varying protein levels were studied in a bid to assess the implication of feeding Heterotis in intensive fish production venture for a rearing period of 84 days. One hundred and twenty juvenile H.niloticus were fed for 12 weeks on 28%, 31%, 34% and 37% dietary crude protein levels. The fish were reared in 4 concrete tanks stocked at the rate of 10 fish per M super(2) 100,00/hectare). Consequently, the weight gain, food conversion ratio, serum protein and albumin-globulin ratio were determined to assess the growth and state of health of the fish. The yield was appraised through economic considerations of cost of production of fish and diets (feed). The varying crude protein levels significantly influenced mean weight gain, percentage weight gain and food conversion ratio however, the 37% crude protein in diet produced the best growth. The serum protein was highest in fish raised on 31% crude protein diet while the highest value was recorded for albumin-globulin ratio on diet containing 34% crude protein. The yield from treatments 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 114.38 of/84 days 571.9kg/g hect);146.79g/84 days 733.95kg/hect), respectively. However, treatment 3 recorded the highest value for profit index

Demand for fish in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

It is generally recognized from the food balance sheet prepared by experts that Nigeria is a protein deficient country. Not only is the daily intake of protein low but the contribution from animal sources is extremely low. Fish has been found to be the cheapest source of protein in Nigeria hence the consumption of fish will supply the needed protein at a relatively low cost. The study, conducted in Calabar in 1981, was analysed using stepwise ordinary least square multiple regression technique as well as Pearson correlation analysis. The regression result was used to generate some demand curves for different levels of per capital income, as well as own price elasticity of demand. The results show that both own price elasticity of demand for fresh and frozen fish decreased as the level of per capital income increased while income elasticity of demand increased as per capital income increased. The calculated per capital consumption was found to be 5.18 kilograms and 4.31 kg per annum for fresh fish and frozen fish respectively. This is considered rather small since Calabar is a sea port where fish should be more readily available. The values of own price and income elasticities indicate that more fish will be consumed at every increase in income if both production and marketing are improved

Potentials for fisheries in the Niger Delta: Another green light for self sufficiency in regional food production

A discussion is presented on the potential for fishery development in the Niger Delta region, considering engineering activities and food production potentials of the freshwater zone and immediate hinterland, the brackishwater mangrove swamps and the estuaries. An examination of current trends in the environment indicates that a possible solution to improved exploitation of the region lies in hydraulic engineering, the manipulation of environmental conditions through varying freshwater and seawater inputs so as to increase aquatic and wetland productivity

A preliminary investigation into the effects of a sex-reversal androgen, methyltestosterone, on food utilization and growth of Sarotherodon niloticus (L) fry

Three groups of Sarotherodon niloticus fry were fed for 8 weeks on diets either treated with 17- & methyltestosterone (MT), alcohol (CA), or untreated (CO). Growth rate and food utilization in the different groups were compared. Results indicate that the best growth, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) and Mean Growth Rate (MGR) were obtained with the MT diet. There was no significant difference (P 0.05) in growth and food utilization of the CA and CO fry, nor in the mortality rate of the 3 treatments. The androgen, methyltestosterone promotes growth and protein anabolism without producing toxic effects in S. niloticus

Effects of fish-meal, cow blood-meal, and sorghum diets on food utilization and growth of cage cultured Sarotherodon niloticus

The growth responses and feed utilization of Sarotherodon niloticus held in metal cages in a pond and fed diets containing fish-meal, cow blood-meal or sorghum was studied. Results indicate that the best growth, feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio were obtained with the diet containing 60% fish-meal. The growth performance of fish on 40% fish-meal, and 40% and 60% blood meal were not significantly different, and were quite close to the performance with 60% fish-meal. The growth and food utilization of fish on 84% sorghum diet was significantly lower than the rest. The Caged fish without supplemental feeding had a light gain in weight. All fish with supplemental feeding appeared healthy. It is concluded that cow blood meal at 40% or 60% inclusion in diet can adequately replace fish-meal in S. niloticus supplemental diet in pond culture

Commercial production of natural freshwater fish food

A review is made of some of the methods that can be used for mass cultivation of natural fish food and the types of organisms that are cultured, which include various algae and zooplankton. Some examples are given of successful case histories in the mass cultivation of natural fish food in order to stimulate the interest of Nigerian scientists on research activities of live fish food for use by fish farmers in the country

Commercial aquaculture in Nigeria: a vertically integrated approach in the commercial freshwater farming of tilapia in floating bamboo net-hapas and cages systems

Tilapia once termed "poor man's" fish, still remains as the highly-priced food fish in many developing countries. The good attributes of this fish prompt its use in intensive aquaculture vertically integrated systems (VIS) which embrace broodstock development, hatchery/nursery and growout phase. Based on the series of studies carried out at Kainji Lake Research Institute, in New Bussa, Nigeria using Oreochromis (Tilapia niloticus) in floating bamboo hapas/cages, the recommended intensive modular systems were estimated to be capable of producing 4 million Tilapia fingerlings and 729 tons fish (Market-size) annually. Cost-benefit analysis showed the venture to have high prospects. It is recommended that priority be given to Tilapia cage culture at the national level in order to contribute immensely towards increased fish production

Protein and amino acid requirements of warm-water fishes: a tool to efficient and low-cost fish feed production in Nigeria

Numerous investigations have utilized various semi-purified and purified diets to estimate the protein and amino acid requirements of several temperate fishes. The vast literature on the protein and amino acid requirements of fishes has continued to omit that of the tropical warm water species. The net effect is that fish feed formulation in Nigeria have relied on the requirement for temperate species. This paper attempts to review the state of knowledge on the protein amino acid requirements of fishes with emphasis on the warm water species, the methods of protein and amino acid requirement determinations and the influence of various factors on nutritional requirement studies. Finally evidence are presented with specific examples on how requirements of warm water fishes are different from the temperate species and used this to justify why fish feed formulation in Nigeria are far from being efficient

Food and feeding habits of Tilapia zilli (Pisces: Cichlidae) in Ondo State University fish farm

The food and feeding habits of Tilapia zillii in the fish farm of Ondo State University, Akungba - Akoko, Nigeria, were studied by gut analysis. Examinations of 150 specimens showed that Nymphea formed the main bulk of food consumed. Spirogyra, Pithophora and Compsopogon occurred frequently while Pistia detritus and plant remains featured less frequently. Variation in the frequency of occurrence of the various food items was observed among the various sizes of samples. The samples within the middle - size group fed on both higher plant and filamentous algae while the young and higher fish consumed exclusively filamentous algae. On the basis of food items found in the gut, Tilapia zillii was classified as primary consumers

Food composition and digestive enzymes in the gut of the African electric catfish Malapterurus electricus (Gmelin 1789) (Malapteruridae)

Analyses of stomach contents of 330 Malapterurus electricus (standard length, 10.1-30.5 cm) in Mahin Lagoon (southwestern Nigeria) established it as a bottom feeder. There was a preponderance of insects accounting for >80% occurrence and >25% of total volume in stomachs of specimens, suggesting a stenophagous predatory habit. Qualitative and quantitative assays of digestive enzymes in the different regions of the gut (oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, ileum, rectum) were investigated. Carbohydrases (amylase, maltase), chitinase, proteases (pepsin, chymotrypsin, trypsin) and lipases were detected in different gut regions with different activity. The pattern of distribution and relative activity of the enzymes correlated with the predatory diet

Absorption of food in the black-jaw tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron (Ruppell) from a small tropical man-made lake in Ibadan, Nigeria

The carbohydrate, protein and lipid contents of the food ingested and their absorption in the intestine of Sarotherodon melanotheron inhabiting Awba lake in Ibadan, Nigeria, were investigated. Total carbohydrates of the ingested food ranged from 39.33 to 55.38% (mean = 48.70% while total protein and total lipid ranged from 10.10 to 17.13% (mean = 12.91%) and 7.79 to 8.96% (mean = 8.28%) dry weight, respectively. Calculated total percentages absorbed were 54.86-62.01 (mean 58.07) carbohydrates 47.33-54.06 (mean = 50.43) protein and 43.27-52.23% (mean 46.56) lipid. Absorption of protein and carbohydrate occurred mostly in the fore-gut (the first one-third of the intestine), while lipid was mostly absorbed in the mid-gut (the second one-third of the intestine). Dietary carbohydrate, protein and lipid contents of the food as well as the absorptive capacity of the intestine for these components of the food varied with size of fish

An investigation of the effect of replacing fish meal with soyabean meal, groundnut cake and blood meal at varied proportion on growth and food utilization of the Clarias anguillaris fingerlings fed in outdoor hapas

Fingerlings of Clarias anguillaris obtained from a homogenous source through induce breeding and each with a mean weight of 2.8g were stocked in ten hapas each measuring 1.0x1.0m in outdoor concrete tank and were fed for eight (8) weeks. Results shows that the best growth rate was recorded among fingerlings fed fish meal as the only protein source (TD5) while DT2 containing soya bean, groundnut cake (40%), blood meal as the protein sources came next. The growth rate of fingerlings fed DT2 (40 % groundnut cake, 10% soyabean meal and 10% blood meal) was higher than those fed DT4 containing 10% fish meal but lower than those fed DT5 which has fish meal as its sole source of protein (53.0%). Analysis of various growth parameters like SGR, FCR and PER. shows that DT5 was the overall best diet but there was no significant statistical difference in weight gained by fish fed the five diets (P <0.05)

Nutritional habits and food consumption pattern of fishing communities around Lake Kainji, Nigeria

The findings are presented of a nutrition survey carried out in the framework of the Nigerian-German Kainji Lake Fisheries Promotion Project in March/April 1995. The major aim of the study was to obtain closer information on the food habits and food consumption patterns of the fishing population, especially the quantification of fish and small fish in particular, consumed at the household level. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect relevant information on demographic, education and occupational profiles; the information was collected in 39 villages in the southern sector of Kainji Lake. (PDF contains 75 pages)

A study of women's participation in fish food security and poverty alleviation in Lagos and Ogun States

Women, all over the world have contributed in various ways to the social, political and economic development of the Society. In fact, the World Resource Institute recognizes that "women have profound and preserve effect onn the well-being of their families, communities and local ecosystems" (Gamble and Well 1997:211). Women constitute more than 50 percent of the Agricultural (Fisheries being a sub sector), labour force. A study on Women in Fisheries showed that they participate in all aspects of the sector (capture, culture, processing, marketing research, training and Extension services). This paper reports the result of the study on women's contributions in the development of the Fisheries Industry particularly their roles in Fish Food Security, Poverty Alleviation and high rates of women's adoption of Fisheries technologies. The Case-study research methodology is used to study the "How" and "Why" Women's Contribution in Fish Food Security and Poverty Alleviation is at the index level recorded for the gender. The study made use of "Case Study" Research Instrument; documents, interview, artefacts, direct observation and archival records. The sampling techniques were purposive for research audiences and simple random for fisher-folks in the chosen locations. Analysed data showed among others that in Fisheries Research women occupy very important positions as Heads of Division/Section, Fisheries Liasion/Extension Officers and Fisheries Laboratory Chiefs etc. The paper also gave results of women production, processing, marketing and other services statistics; it also discusses the "whys" of women's low capacity in fisheries development of the nation and finally suggested ways in improving women's optimal capacity utilization in fisheries development