The relationship between some physicochemical parameters and plankton composition on fish production in ponds

The effect of physico-chemical parameters and plankton composition on fish production in ponds was investigated in six fish farms for eight weeks. The physicochemical parameters investigated were temperature=25-30 plus or minus C, transparency=0.45-0.57m, dissolved oxygen=3.0-10.9mg/l, pH=6.0-7.7, dissolved carbon dioxide=5.46-28.3mg/l, total alkalinity=44.37-80.0ppm, chemical oxygen demand=31.88-72.18mg/l and biological oxygen demand=0.66-48.34mg/l. Plankton composition varies and was made of four families of phytoplankton namely; Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Dinophyceae and Diatomida; and four families of zooplankton viz; Protozoa, Rotifera, Copepoda and Dinoflagellates. Farm 1 and 6 recorded the highest average weight of about 1.0kg and average total length of about 40.0cm for the two fish species. This study showed that fish yield was dependable on the quality and management of pond water characteristics

Environmentally induced physiological responses that determine fish survival and distribution: a review

Limitation to an aqueous habitat is the most fundamental physiological constraint imposed upon fish, phrases such as 'like a fish of water', convey our acceptance of the general unsuitability of fish for terrestrial existence. The constraints that restrict fish to an aquatic habitat relate to respiration, acid-base regulation, nitrogenous excretion, water balance and ionic regulation. A fish not adapted for an amphibious lifestyle when removed from water, becomes hypoxic and hypercapnic and soon succumbs to respiratory acidosis because the problem of excretion of H super(+) and C0 sub(2) are more immediate than lack of oxygen. This happen because fish gills collapse in air, while the ventilator arrangements that moves an incompressible medium (water) oven them become ineffective

Poverty alleviation among fishermen within the floodplains of Kaduna River: implication for introducing commercial fish farming at village level in Doko local government area of Niger State, Nigeria

A diagnostic survey was conducted among the fishermen in six selected villages in Doko Local Government Area of Niger State. One hundred and fifty fishermen were randomly selected and interviewed to find out whether or not they had interest in commercial fish farming aimed at improving their livelihood. The dwindling fish catches in the natural flood plain ponds and Ex-bow Lakes continue to have a serious negative effect on the socio-economic well being of the village communities in question. A break on natural regular annual flooding of the plains had resulted into very low natural fish recruitment. Data analysis using simple descriptive statistics revealed that land tenure system, educational status, inadequate infrastructural facilities, religious taboos, existing fish species among others were found to be favourable indices for commercial fish farming. However, serious conflicts among the fishermen concerning the ownership status of these natural fish ponds are found to be major obstacles to commercial fish farming despite that the traditional ownership of the ponds were vested in the lands of individuals and village communities. Extensive fish farming and small-scale fish farming in the ponds and Ex-bow Lake with improved management practices are considered to be profitable venture. Despite the fact that fish seeds supply and extension effort are still inadequate, the fish farmers have indicated willingness to adopt commercial fish farming in the Ex-bow Lakes and flood plains in order to restore abundant fish production thereby providing for their food security and also increasing the daily income

Preliminary investigation into implication of a single cell organism in fish feed bouyancy and flotation

Two Isocaloric Isoproteic 30% crude protein diets were formulated for Clariid catfish and Tilapia with wheat grain starch (WGS) and cassava tuber starch (CTS) incorporated at 10 percent as binding agents. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was included at 2% as floating additive. The water stability, nutrient retention and flotation of pelleted feeds were observed for 60 minutes. There were generally decreasing trends in stability and retention at increasing time of immersion in water. The lipid retention was higher (P>0.05) than proteins in both diets. WGS diet was better (P>0.05) than CTS diet in flotation, which has attributed to the presence of gluten protein in wheat products. It is envisaged that a break through in floating feed development in Nigeria aquaculture would save the Nigeria economy from extruded (floating) feed importation

Approaches towards increasing domestic fish production in Nigeria: "Fish for All"

The paper critically examines the factors militating against domestic fish production in artisanal, aquacultural and industrial sectors in Nigeria. Approaches towards increasing fish production from all these sectors were suggested and discussed in line with the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDS) and Poverty Alleviation programmes of the Federal Government to meet the nation's fish protein requirement within the next three years

Economic analysis of fish farming in Ogun State

This study examined the economic potential of fish farming in Abeokuta zone of Ogun State in the 2003 production season. Descriptive statistics cost returns and multiple regression analysis were used in analyzing the data. The farmers predominantly practiced monoculture. Inefficiency in the use of pond size, lime and labour with over-utilization of fingerlings stocked was revealed by the study. The average variable cost of N124.67 constituted 45% of the total while average fixed cost was N149.802.67 per average farm size. Fish farming was found to be a profitable venture in the study area with a net income of N761, 400.58 for an average pond size of 301.47sq.m. Based on these findings, it is suggested that for profit maximization, the fish farm will have to increase the level of their use of fingerlings and fertilizers and decrease the use of lime labour and pond size

The role of women in fish processing: handling and marketing in Kainji Lake basin

The study assessed the contribution of women in fish handling, processing and marketing in Kainji Lake basin. Structured questionnaires were administered to three fishing villages selected at random. The fishing villages were Monai, Yuna, Fakun, and New Bussa market. The study revealed that women play vital roles in fisheries activities as producers, assistants to men preservers, traders and financiers. The notable fishing activity performed by women is processing right from the moment the boats or canoes land at sites. Women assist in emptying nets, sorting gutting and cleaning the catch. In most cases their activities involved salting smoking and drying using traditional processing techniques. Women are also involved in storage and marketing of both fresh and smoked fish. In spite of these important contribution, most women in the various fishing communities are illiterates, have little or no say in decision making in areas that affects their livelihood and are regarded as inferior fedex. Culture and religion also has significant impact on their contribution in fishing activities

Management of inland capture fisheries and challenges in fish production in Nigeria

The paper critically examines the trend in fish production in Nigeria. The problem of excessive mismanagement and lack of attention by relevant agencies are still common place in inland water bodies. The paper discusses these mismanagement practices which are non compliance with the existing rules and regulations on good fishing methods, uncontrollable, unorthodox and obnoxious fishing practices, destruction of the natural breeding grounds and the collapse of the fishery due to massive over fishing. The challenges posed by the fishing methods as well as the effect of different gears and mechanization of fishing crafts on fish production are discussed. The paper recommends ways to increase domestic fish production in inland water bodies, which include a well planned strategy of restocking the existing reservoirs after careful scientific study, enforcement of the existing laws and regulation based on community participation. Training of stakeholders on the code of practice for responsible fisheries (CPRF), extension of subsidies to fisher folks, the traditional practices, which encourage the adherence to close season and other fish conservation and utilization strategies, are also advocated

Enhancement of fish production in Borno State with extension services

Borno State possesses great potentials for fish production both from inland fisheries and aquaculture. The socio-economic and environmental production factors are suitable for fish production. If the potential of the State were well harnessed, it would be playing significant roles in achieving self-sufficiency in fish production in Nigeria. But the situation at the moment is that its fisheries potentials are not being optimally utilized. While the inland waters of Lake Chad are currently being recklessly exploited, aquaculture development is given little or no attention. It is evident that there is a missing link between research results and the potential end users. Because information in fish production variables is a pre-requisite for fisheries development, the gap that exists between two poles must be bridged, fisheries Extension provides this important link between research result and the end users of research findings. The paper examines the importance of extension services as the key to unlock fish production information that are usually consigned to the pages of academic journals and research publications

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

Financial analysis of small-scale fish farming enterprises to alleviate poverty in homestead

This paper focuses on the financial analysis involved in setting up of fish farming on a small-scale in a homestead. About 0.5 acres of land was used for the construction of pond which as a stock of Clarias spp/ Heterobranchus spp and Tilapia spp at the ratio of one to three for a period of 12 months. The land/land development cost is N26,500.00, pond construction cost, N35,700.00, equipment cost, N2,650.00 and stock/Input requirement cost N155,727.00 while the revenue from sales is N376,000.00. A cash flow analysis is also calculated for the fish farm, which is N155,423.00 for first year cash flow, and appropriate profit/mosses were calculated for five-year production cycle of N1,036,515.00 million. At the end appreciable profit is realized from the enterprises. This type of enterprises is viable for small-scale farmers to practices and adopted for financial support for their family

Promoting women participation in fish culture enterprises - as a means of poverty alleviation in Nigeria

One major aspect of the poverty status in Nigeria is the high rate of unemployment with the attendant economic in capacity, which in turn is responsible for the persistent problem of malnutrition over the decades. This paper is focused on how women can be empowered for better productivity in fish culture enterprises, seeing that women have been active in different aspects of agricultural production. They also sustain more than half of the developing countries such as Nigeria. Some problems being encountered by would be women fish farmers and suggestions on how women participation in fish and shellfish culture enterprises can be enhanced are proffered. The major ones being those sustainable policies by the Government State ADPs and NGOs are applied to ensure adequate motivation of women for fish culture enterprises

Recruitment pattern and fish production within the Andoni River system in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

Biweekly samples of fish species obtained from five randomly selected Andoni artisanal fisheries within the Andoni River system, Niger Delta of Nigeria were collected between January and December 1999 and their length frequencies analyzed using FISAT (FAO-ICLARM STOCK ASSESSMENT TOOL). The peak recruitment period for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Eucinostomus melanopterus, Galeodes decadactylus, Pomadasys jubelini and Sarotherodon melanotheron constituting 54.55% was between June and October while Liza grandisquamis and Lutjanus goreensis, Ilisha Africana. Tilapia guinensis and Pseudotolithus elongate constituting 27.27% had two peak recruitment periods including March-May and May- October. In view of this result it is advisable for fishers to intensify fishing effort between May and October for most commercially important fish species for bountiful harvest

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

The relationship between some physicochemical parameters and plankton composition on fish production in ponds

The effect of physico-chemical parameters and plankton composition on fish production in ponds was investigated in six fish farms for eight weeks. The physicochemical parameters investigated were temperature=25-30 plus or minus C, transparency=0.45-0.57m, dissolved oxygen=3.0-10.9mg/l, pH=6.0-7.7, dissolved carbon dioxide=5.46-28.3mg/l, total alkalinity=44.37-80.0ppm, chemical oxygen demand=31.88-72.18mg/l and biological oxygen demand=0.66-48.34mg/l. Plankton composition varies and was made of four families of phytoplankton namely: Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Dinophyceae and Diatomida; and four families of zooplankton viz: Protozoa, Rotifera, Copepoda and Dinoflagellates. Farm 1 and 6 recorded the highest average weight of about 1.0kg and average total length of about 40.0cm for the two fish species. This study showed that fish yield was dependable on the quality and management of pond water characteristics