Preliminary report of fishing at the Alawariwa beels, Ogun State, Nigeria

The Alawariwa beels located in the flood plains of the Ogun River, off Ibafo in Owode/Obafemi Local Government Area of Ogun State number 16 with an approximate total surface area of 28.0 hectares. The beels are conveniently exploited between January and April annually when the dry season and riverine contraction make this possible. The daily landing showed that the fish enclosure is truly a natural fisheries reserve as well as a medium of biodiversity. Fish catch per unit effort is reasonable especially for the more abundant fish species. The beel is sufficiently productive and worthy of the fishing efforts of the fishing efforts of eight fishers undertaking the daily assignment. Beel fishing is therefore economically advisable for fishers having access to such valuable communal or individual natural wetland resources

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 use and economic benefits of fibres from sisal hemp (Agave sisalana) leaves as supporting ropes for fishing gear

Sisal hemp (Agave sisalana) leaves were harvested and processed using the beating and decomposition methods. The fibres obtained were washed, dried and finally spurned in to cordage of about 4mm diameter 39 pieces of ropes, each measuring 2 meters were altogether spurned. 30 pieces of these ropes were immersed in water for a period of 24 weeks, 6 were placed in a shaded and airily place and 3 were used for the head and footling of gillnet, sinker line of cast net and the main line of long line. Every other week, the ropes in water and air were tested for its breaking strength using an improved 50kg spring balance. At the end of the experiment, it was found the immersed ropes maintained a tensile strength of over 50kg/F for the first 18 weeks, thereafter; there was a gradual weekly reduction in the strength until the 23rd week when the tensile strength was less than 1kg/F. The cost benefit analysis showed that about 5,3146 tons processed fibers could be obtained fro 1ha. capable of being spenced in to 528300m of 4mm diameter cordage. This paper finally recommended the growth of sisal hemp plants by fisher folks so that there will be constant stock for intermittent harvesting for rope spurning

Community-based organizations on Lake Victoria: a lesson from the Tweyambe Fishing Enterprise in Muleba District, Kagera Region, Tanzania

This paper is aimed at government, non-government organizations, intergovernmental organizations and the general public as they work toward the development of their individual strategies and action plans. It has been recognized that community-based organizations have a particular relevance to the pursuit of sustainable resource management and may well contribute to the foundations of self-sustenance. Women on Lake Victoria, Tanzania presently face great challenges within the fishery. These include the lack of capital, interference by men, theft of fishing gear, time constraints and socio-cultural problems. In recent years, the fish trading and marketing sectors of the fishery, which have traditionally been dominated by women, have seen large incursions by male entrepreneurs. This move has endangered the role of women within the fishery. This paper focuses on the Tweyambe Fishing Enterprise (TFE), a well-known women's group based in Kasheno village in the Muleba District of Kagera Region in northwestern Tanzania. Inhabitants from the Haya ethnic group who make up some 95% of the population of Kagera Region dominate this village. The TFE has a series of initiatives aimed towards ecologically sound self-development

Reconocimiento automático de objetos de interés in imágenes aéreas

El objetivo principal de este proyecto es la detección automática de objetos de interés en imágenes aéreas de zonas urbanas mediante el uso de descriptores característicos. Los descriptores considerados para esta tarea han sido los histogramas color y los descriptores LBP (Local Binary Pattern), así como la concatenación de ambos dando lugar a descriptores híbridos

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)

Identification of non fishing income opportunities around Kainji Lake

The findings are presented of a study carried out in the Kainji Lake region of Nigeria in order to identify alternative income opportunities for the fisherfolk, so as to increase their acceptance of fishery management measures and also to reduce the harmful short-term economic effects that such management options can have. A description is given of the main non-fishing income earning activities in the Kainji Lake area and an assessment is made of the economic viability and expected acceptance of the identified income earning opportunities. (PDF contains 84 pages)

Fishing gear survey of Kainji Lake, northern Nigeria, 1996

A survey was carried out in September 1996 alongside the annual frame survey of Kainji Lake, Nigeria. As in the previous surveys, there were 6 main fishing gear types in use on the lake, which included gill nets, drift nets, beach seines, cast nets, longlines (baited and foul hooking) acid fishing traps. A total of 813 canoes were sampled. The canoe lengths were similar to the previous gear surveys. Altogether 466 gill nets were measured. They had an average length of 149 m, and were mostly bottom set. Of the gill nets measured 68% had a mesh size below 3 inches the minimum mesh size allowable according to the Niger and Kebbi State Fisheries Edict, 1996. Of concern was the large increase in the number of 1 inch meshed nets recorded on the lake. Drift nets had a mean length of 74 m. A total of 88% of all drift nets measured had a mesh size below 2.5 inches, the minimum mesh size stipulated in the State Edict. A total number of 102 beach seines were sampled with a mean length of 110 m, the mesh size in use on the lake remained as 0.1 inches under the Edict beach seines are banned from fishing in Kainji Lake. The decline in the lengths of the beach seines (and therefore catch rates) recorded since l995 was encouraging in the light of the destructive nature of these nets. A total of 30 cast nets were sampled, they had a mean diameter of 9.8 and a mean mesh size of 1.9 inches. All the nets had a hanging ratio of 0.5. Of the cast nets measured 40% had a mesh size below the minimum size of 2 inches recommended by the State Fisheries Edicts. Of concern was the continued rise in the number of gill nets with mesh sizes less than 2 inches. There were 2 types of longlines in operation on the lake. The baited and the foul hooking longlines. They were mostly bottom set and the hook size nos. 12-14 (Kirby sea hook) were predominant. Two types of fishing traps were identified, one was covered with a mesh of thin cane, one with netting material. The fishing traps had a mean height of 0.8 m and a mean width at the vase of 0.53 m. The mean mesh size used was 0.86 inches. Citharinus was reported as the most targeted of all fish species on the lake. Synodontis membranaceous was also targeted by most gears especially the smaller meshed nets. Labeo and Tilapia were low on the list of targeted species but their incidence remains high in the catches. (PDF contains 27 pages)

The resource appraisal survey of clupeids in Kainji Lake, Nigeria

This study includes an analysis of the trawl survey that was carried out by the Kainji Lake Fisheries Promotion Project in May, 1997. The objective of the survey was to assess the biomass and the potential yield of clupeids and the carrying capacity of the beach seine fishery in the entire Kainji Lake (Nigeria). The biomass of the beach seine by-catch was also estimated. The density (kg /km super(3)) of the clupeids was higher in the Bussa and Foge than in the other stations. The lowest density of clupeids was in the Anfani station followed by Jetty, both in the southern basin. These stations were the deepest parts of all the areas trawled, measuring between 37-120 m of depth. There was an inverse correlation between depth trawled and the catch rates of clupeids, though the correlation was poor. The average annual biomass of the clupeids was estimated at 36,769.85 Mt in the entire Lake with an MSY of 11,705.95 Mt. The smaller species, Sierrathrissa leonensis, made up about 97% of the total clupeid population in the lake and occurred at a shallower depth than the larger species Pellonula afzeliusi. From the clupeid production statistics in 1996, it is estimated that the MSY is already overshot by 34%. Therefore, about 698 beach seines instead of the present 810 would be sufficient for sustainable exploitation of the clupeid stocks. Because of the substantial by-catch in the beach seines, this fishing method was banned from Kainji Lake in 1997. An offshore open water seine net is recommended to replace the beach seines on the lake. The number of these nets should not exceed 500. The current ban on beach seine is supported by this study. Nevertheless, and since the ban may not be 100% effective, effort should concentrate on maintaining that the number of beach seines must be kept at most at the present level. Recommendation is made against the introduction of the pair trawling not only from an economic point of view but also for resource conservation, legal and social reasons. The development of this fishery could pose a serious danger to continuity of stocks. It is proposed that priority be given to the development of an open water seine which is at the same level of exploitation as the beach seine and requires similar cost to acquire. (PDF contains 39 pages)

The cast net fishery, Kainji Lake, Nigeria 1970-1997

This study was carried out to establish trends in the cast net fishery of Kainji Lake, Nigeria. The cast net fishery was second in importance to the gillnet fishery in the early years after impoundment of the lake and still continues to be an important component of the fishery. Some of the economically important species such as Citharinus spp, Tilapia spp, Labeo spp, Alestes spp and Synodontis spp are exploited by cast nets. The study has not revealed any drastic perturbation in the species diversity, catch composition, and any real ecosystem overfishing. On the other hand, both the catfish, Auchenoglanis spp and the predator Hydrocynus spp appear to have increased in the catch in recent years. Never-the-less there is a decline in the mean weight of the major exploited fish species due to the capture of under sized fishes without allowing them to grow to 'legally' marketable sizes. The use of small meshed cast net and also fishing in the shallow waters of the lake can give rise to this situation. Thus, there are signs of growth overfishing in the fish stocks. It must also be acknowledged that the situation is complicated by the fact that in a multi-gear fishery as on Kainji Lake, the cast net fishery could not be managed in isolation without due regard to the other competing gears. The catch per unit of effort (CPUE) has declined in the cast net fishery possibly due to the increase in effort by the major fishing gears over the years. The ongoing extension campaigns by the KLFPP appears to be having the desired effect, as there was reduction in the number of the major fishing gears on the Lake in 1997. It can be anticipated that if this trend continues, the CPUE will recover in the long run. Yields observed from the mesh selectivity study revealed that for major species in the cast net fishery, both by number and weight, were maximal at 2.5 inch mesh, which contrasts with the fact that current minimum allowable mesh in the Fisheries Edict for the Lake is 2.0 inch. The adoption of 2.5 inch as the minimum allowable mesh in the cast net fishery is recommended to be included in future revision of existing regulations. It is also recommended that for this control to have a desired effect, the casting of the net from the shore should be prohibited so as to reduce the incidence of juvenile mortality in the nursery areas. (PDF contains 28 pages)

Water quality strategy for the Lockwoods Folly River: A partnership for an ailing river

As with a majority of the remaining undeveloped coastal areas in North Carolina, Brunswick County is not a hidden treasure any more. Since 1980 the county’s population has more than tripled to over 95,000 and another 30,000 or so residents are expected to make this last bastion of undeveloped southeastern NC their home by 2020, even with the current economic downturn. As the 29th fastest growing county in the nation this population explosion is resulting in rapid landscape scale land use changes within the watershed of the Lockwoods Folly River. Subdivisions, shopping centers, new highways and bridges, golf courses, and marinas are becoming significant land use activities. The surging development within this 150-square mile 88 thousand-acre watershed has had a severe effect on the health of the river. The portion of the river closed to shell fishing has more that tripled from 18 percent in 1980 to more than 55 percent today and 60% of the beds are considered impaired. For generations, locals have enjoyed the bounty of the Lockwoods Folly River and estuarine system famed for its rich and abundant shell fish beds and excellent coastal inshore fishing. This river system stretches from the Lockwoods Folly Inlet at the Atlantic Ocean inland where it makes the transformation from saltwater marshes to a winding blackwater river that snakes into hundreds of smaller tributaries and blackwater swamps. (PDF contains 4 pages)

Enforcement of associated protected measures in particularly sensitive sea areas

The distinguished character of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) is that every application for PSSAs must be accompanied by Associated Protected Measures (APMs) which can make PSSAs efficient in practice.1 That is why APMs are regarded as the core feature of every PSSA.2 APM is “an international rule or standard that falls within the purview of an international maritime organization (IMO) and regulates international maritime activities for the protection of the area at risk.” So far, APMs have been approved by IMO as following: -Compulsory or recommended pilotage -Mandatory ship reporting -An area to be avoided -Traffic separation schemes -Discharge prohibition or regulations -Mandatory no anchoring areas -Deep water routes -Emission control areas (PDF contains 5 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)

The role of women in artisanal fisheries along the Lower Benue River

A questionnaire survey was carried out to assess the role of women in the artisanal fisheries of fish markets sector along the Lower Benue River. Four (4) fishing settlement communities of fish markets along the Lower Benue were selected. They are namely North Bank, Wadata, Abinse and Gbajimba . Structure and unstructured questionnaire were administered to cover areas of personal data, fish production activities, processing and marketing among others. The study revealed that women along the Lower Benue River participate activity in the artisanal fisheries sub-sector. However, the major role played by the women was in the area of processing and preservation, marketing and distribution. These accounted 52 and 42% respectively. The distribution of the women was not tribally based however, Jukun women accounted for 66.20% followed by Agatu women 13.00%. The age bracket of the women mostly involved in fisheries activities was between 31-40 years. About 86% of them was married. The initial capital base was low and mostly by personal saving accounting for 52%. Need for government assistance was the highlight in this study. About 86% sought for Federal Government intervention from the National Poverty Eradication Programme. This they felt will be a welcome development to boost women participation in the Artisanal fisheries sub-sector along the Lower Benue River

Evaluation of a new fishing pot trap (Lege) in River Rima, north western Nigeria

Based on the findings and diagnostic survey, a new fishing trap, christened Lege trap was designed and fabricated, and the performance evaluated. The 8-valve Lege trap was assessed concurrently with Malian and Ndurutu traps by the fishermen in the study area. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with one factor each replicated three times. Data collected on fish diversity number, biomass and size were subjected to descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. The results showed that 22 fish species belonging to thirteen families were caught. The prototype (Lege) trap recorded higher species diversity index (0.90) than the Malian (0.50) and Ndurutu (0.50) traps. The Lege trap also accounted for the largest number (55%) and biomass (63%) of fish caught which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of the Malian and Nduutu traps were. The mean length (15.03~c5.70cm), weight (60.43~c48.61g) and girth (4.77~c1.65cm) of fishes caught in the Lege trap were also significantly (P0.05) higher than those caught in the other two traps. These results demonstrated better performance of the new trap than the two conventional traps, even though the sizes of some of the fish species caught in all the traps were below those allowed by the Sokoto State Fisheries Edict where the study was conducted. Therefore, since it is desirable to develop conservation-oriented trap at a least cost, it is necessary to research further on the number of valves and mesh size of the new trap