Practical suggestions for the commercialisation of fishery production in Ondo State

The paper examines the fisheries resources and activities in Ondo State, Nigeria. As a result of the geographical advantage via location along the Atlantic coast the potentials and constraints of coastal artisanal fisheries in Ondo State are assessed. Practical suggestions and approaches for a successful commercialisation of fishery production are given. These include: (a) Identification of useful and reliable fisheries institutions, (b) Inauguration establishment and coordination of a fishery development agency, (c) establishment of aquaculture technology centres (ATC), (d) provision of fishery development fund, (e) Standardisation of fishery consultancy units, etc

The past history and present trends in the fisheries of Lake Chad

Lake Chad is a very large, shallow eutrophic lake shared by Chad, Nigeria, Niger and Cameroun. It supplies approximately 13% of Nigeria's inland fish. It however lies in an unstable ecological environment characterised by intermittent period of rainfall and drought. This creates a very large draw down area. Consequently, the fisheries are affected by the oscillation in the size of lake due to the drought. Other factors affecting the volume of water are the numerous dams on the inflow rivers. The fishery is also subjected to intense overfishing and may be affected by pollution and other land use practices. The paper discusses changes that took place over the years as a result of the factors of drought, effect of dams on the inflow rivers. The fishery is also subjected to intense overfishing and may be affected by pollution and other land use practices. The paper discusses changes that took place over the years as a result of the factors of drought, effects of dams and overexploitation. Previous records of fish production, species composition and distribution, the status of the fish stocks, their sizes are compared with more recent data. The status of the fishery before and after the contraction of the lake is discussed. Suggestion for a national exploitation of the lake based on habitat improvement, increasing the volume of the water in the lake through controlled use of the influent rivers as well as reduction in overfishing are made

Status of policies on fish hygiene in Nigeria

An examination is made of fish health policy formulation in Nigeria. Such policies are necessary to protect fish a living aquatic resources and also fish food at harvest because of the immense nutritional, social and economic benefits derivable by man from fish. Fish health policies must recognize the implications of aquatic environment pollution, the dangers of bad fishing methods and application of harmful fishing gears and appliances and post-mortem handling practices

Conservation needs of fisheries resources and reorientation for sustainable captive and culture practices

A discussion is presented on the importance of conservation of fishery resources, considering in particular the situation in Nigeria and providing also an outline of various legislations made by government. Suggestions are given regarding the following: education on the importance of conservation; fish farming or aquaculture; restocking or rejuvenation of depleted water bodies; stock assessment; monitoring and surveillance; provision of fishing inputs; and, extension research linkage

Fishing systems: viability in Nigeria

Following an outline of the various fishing systems in Nigeria, considering both the marine and freshwater environment, details are provided of those around which viable sustainable fisheries may be developed

Aspects of the fishing industry and an overview of artificial reefs and fish aggregating devices for increasing fisheries output and viability in Nigeria

Aspects of the Nigerian fishing industry are outlined to explain the concept of fishing systems viability which is often influenced by a combination of factors including biological productivity, as well as technical, economic and social factors. The productivity of the aquatic environments can be increased by the construction and installation of artificial reefs and fish aggregating devices. These man-made structures provide shelters, food and breeding grounds for fin fish and shell fish. The habitat enhancement techniques are appropriate, efficient, cheap and simple strategic options for increase in fish production. Recommendations for effective utilization and long term management are outlined.

Aquaculture research: technology transfer for rural development in Nigeria

Conventional aquaculture has been promoted in Nigeria for the past five decades with minimal impact on rural communities: from the findings of Maclearen (1949) where he popularized the use of culturable fish predators Lutjanus sp; Pomades sp; Tarpon adanticus; Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in earthen ponds near Onikan-Lagos, Nigeria; to the finding of Zwilling, 1963, who reported common carp, Cyprinus carpio propagation and culture in Panyan Fish Farm, near Jos; to the findings of FAO, 1965, when the potential culture of marine mullets culture in brackish water ponds in Buguma, Rivers State was presented. The work of other researchers Sivalingam, (1970; 1973), Ezenwa (1976), development officers and extension officers contributed to the development of aquaculture in few rural areas of the country and informed on public and private owned fish farm infrastructures. Despite a moderate long history of aquaculture research and development in Nigeria, an annual production level of 25,000 metric tons was recorded in 1999. This situation calls for a more sustainable approach for a stronger link between aquaculture research and technology transfer for the development of rural communities of Nigeria. This paper therefore examines some of the issues involved in the continuous flow of the new aquaculture technology in the improvement of fish protein output, standard of living of rural farmers and prevention of urban migration by the youth

Artisanal containers and transportation for smoke-dried fish in Nigeria

The packaging containers and means of transportation for Nigerian smoke-dried fish from harvesting all through the post-harvest chain were described. Sacks, paper cartons, wooden rackets, cane and bamboo baskets were predominantly used packaging containers. Means of transportation ranged from wheelbarrows, motorcycle, lorries, to pick-up vehicles and trucks. The major area of improvement is seen in packaging at the wholesale level. To overcome the constraints within the system, both the public and private sectors must provide effective services that benefit fishermen, processors, wholesalers, retailers, organisation and other key participants that make the work. Suggestions for reducing post harvest losses and improving the efficiency of the existing distribution system, based on the various need of the stake holders and the socio-cultural settings of the application were proffered

The incidence of Nypa fruticans (Wurmb) and its impact on fisheries production in the Niger Delta mangrove ecosystem

Nypa fruticans occurs in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River State, Nigeria; invading an estimated area of 821 Km super(2) mangrove dominated swamps. Human activities such as tree felling, urbanization, oil and gas exploration and exploitation and other activities led to the interference in the normal mangrove by the Nypa palm. Lack of utilization by the local population of the Nypa palm as in into-pacification has increased the population over the years. The effect includes the reduction in primary and secondary productivity, disruption of food chain and erosion of riverbanks. The eradication of the Nypa palm from the Niger delta mangrove ecosystem and replacement with red and white mangroves will restore the ecosystem health and enhance biological diversity

The role of communication in the management of Nigeria's capture fisheries resources

Development and management indices identified in the capture fishery resources focus on stock management, freshwater and marine pollution by organic and inorganic compounds including silting, plankton sustainability, fishing methods, biological productivity, energy cycles, ornamental fish and sanctuaries. The issue of post-harvest handling and processing is also discussed. The paper also identifies fisheries sectorial problems at the artisanal and industrial level both at sea and at shore, in the processing plant, infrastructure, manpower and marketing issues. The paper suggests that advocacy should be incorporated into extension and communication programme ensuring some changes in attitudes of all stakeholders in the fisheries game. The paper concludes stating that policy makers should stop paying lip-service to the fisheries sub-sector and should create a separate Ministry for Fisheries

Feasibility of adopting integrated rice-cum-fish culture system to enhance the development of conventional aquaculture participation in Niger State

In a survey conducted to find out the status of integrated rice-cum-fish culture in Niger State, Nigeria, 0.37 ha of Fadama wetlands was utilized for rice-cum-fish culture and at experimental stage. In the case study of this rice-cum-fish model, the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was involved. The result was that 1,4720 kg/ha/yr could be produced using chick manure application under rice-cum-fish culture model. The available records reveal that 233,079 ha out of 495,000 ha of estimated Fadama in Niger State was used for rice cultivation in 1997. If 233,079 ha were to be used for integrated rice-cum fish culture, it is estimated that 343,092 mt of fish (Oreochromis niloticus) could be produced per year. The fish demand in Niger State in 2002 was 50,000 mt. The NPK application under rice-cum-fish production gave the best rice production estimated at 43,968.0 kg/ha/yr. The percentage increase in rice yield as well as increase in net income due to introduction of fish was 10.1 % and 54.4% respectively. The culture system is therefore recommended for adoption towards greater participation in aquaculture development by the farmers

Acute toxicities of Basudine and Gammalin 20 to Aphyosemin gairdneri

Effects of Basudine and Gammalin 20 on the fingerlings of Aphyosemin gairdneri were investigated using static bioassays and continuous aeration over a period of 48 hours. The 48 hours LC sub(50) of the exposed fish to Basudine and Gammalin 20 were determined to be 194.99 mu g dm super(3) and 95.50 mu g dm super(3) respectively. Gammalin 20 was more toxic than Basudine. The behavioural responses observed include agitation, erratic swimming, loss of equilibrium, period of quiescence and death. It is concluded that repeated applications of these herbicides should be avoided before stocking ponds with fish

Prospects and problems of rice-fish culture in Nigeria

This paper examines fish demand and supply and looks at on-going research works in rice-cum-fish culture in Nigeria. It examines all the pre-requisites for adopting this farming system. Economic and Financial analysis were made using experimental plots at two ecological zones of Nigeria. This farming system, which has reached advanced stage in most of Asian countries, could well be practiced in Nigeria to assist farmers to harvest both protein (from fish) and carbohydrate from rice and thereby to improve their standards of live

An appraisal of the efficiency of fish marketing system in Lake Chad basin

Fish products from the Chad Basin Lake play important role in meeting fish protein needs of Nigeria: they contribute not less than 25% of the total domestic fish supply and are significant in determining the availability of processed products and reduction of post-harvest losses. Processors, marketers and consumers are the major actors in appraising a marketing system. The results show that most sellers (4-7.5%) are within the age range of 30-39 years. Desires for more earnings led the markets to diversify their business activities to food stuff trading (37.5%), dried meat/livestock sales (37.5%), farming (12.5%), and transportation (12.5%). 65% of traders dispose off their products mostly in the mornings and evenings, 70% of the products are sold smoked while 50% of products are sold to individual consumers. Lake Chad fish products have a long distribution chain. There is also a high degree of buyers and sellers concentration in the primary fish markets and secondary (urban) markets. The products have a vertical regional movement with southern traders (82.5%) dominating the business, thus making the products popular all over Nigeria. Product differentiation with imperfect pricing policy is common occurrence. Lake Chad fish marketing system has distortions that impede its efficiency, recommendations are made on how to ensure a better efficiency of the system

Lunar and seasonal variations in the catches of Macrobrachium fisheries of the Cross River Estuary, SE Nigeria

Monthly catches of the Macrobrachium fisheries were recorded at a commercial shrimp landing site on the coasts of Calabar (Nigeria), from April 1997 to August 1998. Catches fluctuated over an annual cycle, with two peaks occurring from May-July and November-December. These peaks represented periods of major activities, reproduction, recruitment or migration. Also, mean catches decreased in the months of February and August, corresponding to the peak of dry season and the so-called 'August break', respectively. Catches from active gears (seine, push net) varied among the moon phases too, with a main peak during full moon, and the minimum catch was recorded during the first moon quarter. However, the catch from passive gear (trap) depicted an inverse relationship, showing a peak during the first moon quarter. Variation in catches at different months and moon phases were significant at P:0.05. Recognize these variations and trends would help in management decisions such as defining closed seasons without adversely affecting the economy of the fishers