A review of bonga fisheries of the Cross River State, Nigeria

The Nigerian pelagic fishery contributes about two-thirds of the total marine fishery resources of the country. The main components of this fishery are the clupeid (Ethmalosa, and Sardinella spp) and the scombroid (jacks, barracuda and tuna) fisheries. In 1979 to 1983, fish production from the national inshore and brackishwater zones was 1,702,685 tonnes. Bonga (Ethmalosa fimbriata) which dominates the pelagic fishery in the Cross River State of Nigeria, contributed about 158,612 tonnes (i.e. 9.3%) of this national marine fish catch. Although bonga is caught along the entire Nigerian coast, a significant fishery exists mostly in the wider estuary of the Cross River State, which borders on the Cameroon Republic. In the Cross River State, and within the period, bonga contributed 24% to the marine fish landings. Bonga is supported by a single species (E. fimbriata). The species forms an important fishery all the year-round in the open sea off these estuaries, whenever the canoes venture to sea, but these open sea fisheries are affected by whether conditions. The best, and most suitable gear for bonga are the gill nets, cast nets, boat seines, and shore seines. Dried and smoked bonga are a common market commodity in the southern parts of the country generally, but particularly in the Cross State where it is a readily available and acceptable food item

Nigerian fisheries development, challenges and opportunities of the 1980's

With the momentum generated in Nigeria under the Green Revolution Programme to make the country self-sufficient in food, the fishing industry is poised for very rapid development. It is however, realized that there is no quick magic formula for this development, which has to be preceded by careful planning, evaluation of resources, development of necessary management and technical personnel, introduction of appropriate technology and identification of priorities and the needs of the industry. This paper attempts to focus attention on the possibilities and priorities for the development of fisheries in Nigeria during this decade and spells out the role of the agencies in the country connected with fisheries to bring about this development

Information requirements for effective fisheries planning in Nigeria

An examination is made of the current situation regarding fisheries planning in Nigeria, identifying areas where information is required to correct existing imbalances. The artisanal fishery, industrial/commercial fishery and aquaculture sectors and requirements for a comprehensive development policy in each sector are detailed

Small-scale fisheries development in Nigeria: Status, prospects, constraints/recommended solutions

The small-scale fisheries sector has been contributing immensely towards domestic fish production in Nigeria. Despite considerable contributions by the small-scale fisherman of Nigeria, with few exceptions, they continue to live at the margin of subsistence. This paper attempts to review the sector and propose strategies of integrated approach towards small-scale fisheries development in order to ensure that efforts at improving the rural fisheries succeed in over-coming identified constraints which include socio-cultural, political, economic, technological and other barriers

Fisheries manpower development in the eighties

An examination is made of training programmes in the Federal Fisheries School, Lagos, detailing training objectives, manpower requirement and training strategies, indicating also areas for improvement and development

The role of research and research institutes in fisheries development in the 1980's

An indication is given as to areas in Nigerian fisheries development which require research in the 1980's: fish resource surveys, fishing technology, fish processing and preservation technology, and aquaculture. The role of research institutes is also considered

Fish and fisheries of Bakolori Reservoir

Details are given of fisheries activities carried out in Bakolori Reservoir within the context of many and varied functions of Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority. Experimental fishing was conducted for 55 days in 1979 when the reservoir was only one year old and the exercise continued in 1980 and 1981 also for 85 and 52 days respectively. During the exercise, the catch per unit effort showed an increasing trend with increasing efforts by four times to that of the initial. The fish harvest was 1.205 kg/day when 3.8 nets were operated in 1979, this went up to 3.2 kg when the number of nets were increased to 8.37/day in 1980. This increasing trend continued in 1981 season also when 16.15 nets caught 5.756 kg fish per day. A direct relationship was observed in the fishing efforts and catch. Tilapia, Clarias, Labeo, Schilbe and Synodontis spp, were the most predominant fish species in the catch and contributed more than 97% of the total fish harvest

An investigation of the organization of canoe fisheries in Nigeria: A case study of Ilaje/Esedo local government area of Ondo State

The effects of some socio-economic variables on the performance of artisanal fishermen were investigated. The variables include the age-structure of the fishermen, level of investment, educational background, membership of co-operative societies and marketing arrangements. All these variables were found to be crucial to productivity in the artisanal fishing sector

Investment prospects in inland capture fisheries with special reference to small reservoirs: the exclusive fishing right licence model

The paper discusses simple methods of estimating fish yield from small reservoirs and establishes 2 indices of fish yield based on: 1) the relationship between the catch per boat in artisanal commercial fish landings and the catch per unit effort in experimental gill-net survey; and also, 2) the relationship between standing crop of fish in reservoirs and catch per unit effort in experimental gill-net survey. The paper then elaborates on the methods of utilizing these simple relationships in managing small reservoirs in Nigeria based on the principle of exclusive fishing right licence with the objective of attracting investors into this viable inland fishery investment project hitherto untapped

Investment prospects in marine capture fisheries

An examination is made of investment prospects in the Nigerian marine fisheries, considering the following sectors: inshore demersal fishery; inshore pelagic fishery; and the offshore pelagic fishery. The marine fisheries resources of countries with which Nigeria has bilateral fishing rights agreements are discussed, considering Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Senegal and Mauritania. Fishing gear and methods for the marine fishery sectors are outlined. Market potentials for fish products and profitability are also examined

Present status and potentials of inshore and offshore pelagic fisheries in the capture and processing industries of Nigeria

Apart from activities of some foreign-based vessels, commercial exploitation of pelagic fishery resources in Nigeria has been limited to inland and inshore waters. Estimated potential for the inshore pelagic fishery is 70,000-90,000 tonnes while the small pelagic resources in the near offshore as well as tuna and tuna-like fishes further offshore have potentials of about 10,000 metric tonnes each. Despite the abundance of tuna within and adjoining the Nigerian EEZ, and its importance in the international market, only foreign-flagged vessels take advantage. In addition, the inshore pelagic fisheries in Nigeria have for long remained underexploited. The most common processing method has remained the age-old traditional smoke-drying, which is inadequate resulting in colossal waste through denaturation and incessant infestations by insects and moulds among other causes. The use of modern smoking techniques coupled with effective distribution systems can undoubtedly reduce waste. However, these are often not within the reach of most artisanal processors. It is proposed that the organised private sector should invest on simple but proven processing equipment such as smoking kilns. The inshore pelagic fish species and other small fishes can sustain cottage canning industries sited in fishing villages/settlements while larger canning factories should be based on offshore resources. Modalities for successful investments are highlighted, while a major consideration is given to joint ventures

Investment prospects in inland capture fisheries -- revolving loan scheme to artisanal fishermen

Fishing inputs in the form of the netting materials, boats and outboard engines were issued to 20 fishermen on revolving loan basis at 2 centres - Shagunu. and Monai along the western bank of Kainji Lake, Nigeria. The agreement was that the recipients should sell all their catches to the Institute and surrender 20% as part payment of the loan, until they offset the loan after which the inputs would become theirs'. The scheme was monitored for 5 years during which time most recipients had completed payment. It was observed that adequate revenue could be made from the scheme provided there was effective supervision. A proposal has been made for large scale supply of fishing inputs to one hundred fishermen. The scheme is laudable as a means of improving the lot of the fishermen and implementing management proposals in water bodies through the recipients

An evaluation of the artisanal fisheries resources of the Cross River State of Nigeria

The Cross River State (Nigeria) marine and freshwater artisanal capture fisheries are divided into 4 categories according to the type of resources being exploited. Schaefer's production model is applied to each of the fisheries to estimate the maximum sustainable yields (Ymax). The total potential yield for all the fisheries in natural waters is 178,650 tonnes/year. This potential is unlikely to be achieved as more fishermen are abandoning the occupation due to the scarcity of boats, outboard engines and nets. Even if the full potentials were realized the production would still be short of what the State should produce by about 30.5%. Investment opportunities which, if effected can help to narrow the gap between the available and the desired level of production are enumerated

The contribution of fish intake, aquaculture, and small-scale fisheries to improving nutrition security: a literature review

Much of fish consumed by the poor are caught by household members and traded in local markets. These fish are rarely or poorly included in national statistics, and it is therefore difficult to estimate precisely the real contribution of fish to the rural poor households. This report is the first global overview of the role played by fish in improving nutrition. Fish consumption patterns of the poor, the nutritional value of fish, and small-scale fisheries and aquaculture activities are considered. It also highlights the gap in knowledge where more research is needed.

Strategies for meeting the fishing input requirements of small scale artisanal fisheries

An examination is made of the socio-economic factors associated with the failure of existing approaches to the fishing input requirements of small-scale fisheries in Nigeria. The fishermen and secretaries of the fishermen cooperative societies in three major settlements (Uta-Ewa, Okoroete and Iko) were selected for interviews. The survey showed that the idealogy of the fishermen of the role of cooperative society is wrong and specific programmes need to be directed towards correcting this perception. Thus, for any meaningful support programme for the artisanal small-scale fishermen, the perception of the fishermen about the cooperative organization must first be aligned rightly. It is suggested that the fishing input be determined by type and specification as a preliminary step in the delivery of inputs to the fishermen. Social, economic and cultural variabilities should be related to the requirement by the fishermen. The price level of fishermen will determine the direction and level of government support required