African Journal of Fisheries Science

African Journal of Fisheries Science Vol. 2 (8), pp. 144-147, August, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Micro biological study and Proximate composition of five marine fish species consumed in Gabon

Nzenguet Casmir Allogo, Maganga Adrien and Mwata Djibril Ndongo

Department of Fish economics and management, Faculty of Agriculture, Université Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 04 July, 2014

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to determine proximate composition (protein, lipid, ash and moisture), energy and microbiological spoilage in five fish species. The chemical analysis revealed that the protein content of Pseudotolithus typus was 19.19%, Pomadasys peroteti 16.05%, Galeoides decadactylus 17.15%, Carassius auratus 20.78% and Pimelodus grosskopfii 18.57% of the fresh weight, respectively. The lipid content, the ash, and carbohydrate ranged from 0.46 to 1.76, 1.01 to 1.40 and 0.20 to 0.49% of the fresh weight correspondingly. Microbiological analysis showed that the Total Viable Count (TVC) varied between 5.20 and 8.42 LogUFC/g. The results obtained on TVC were not within the acceptable limits set by the International Commission on Microbiological Specification for Foods. Staphylococcus sp. bacteria were observed in all five species and fecal coliforms in Carassius auratus and Pimelodus grosskopfii only. The bacteria isolated on each of the five fish species include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus xylosus, Enterobacter agglomerans and one unidentified species. However, fungi were not found in these five samples.

Key words: Franceville, Gabon, proximate composition, microbiological quality, fish species.

African Journal of Fisheries Science Vol. 2 (7), pp. 137-143, July, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Policy issues and Socio-economic factors influencing sustainable fish farming In Nigeria

Ameachi Chinedu, chika I. K and Nathaniel Oboroh

African Regional Aquaculture Centre/Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, P.M.B 5122, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 25 June, 2014

Abstract 

A major agricultural sub-sector where achieving food security has become elusive in Nigeria is the fish production subsector. Demand for fish in Nigeria stands at about 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum while domestic production is just 511,700 metric tonnes. The nation spends about N150 billion (US$1billion) annually to bridge the gap between supply and demand. Consequently, several policy measures have been put in place to stimulate local fish farming. Till date, the results from the colossal investment and policy have not yielded the desired results. Hence, this study attempted to examine the factors determining the sustainability of fish farming in Nigeria with a view to stimulating private investment in the sector, meet national market demand through domestic production and export the excess to enhance the income of farmers. Regression and budgetary analyses were used to analyze data obtained from 100 fish farmers in ten local government areas of Osun State. The result showed that the average net income in the study area was N318,640.75 while the gross margin was N457,327.95. The benefit-cost ratio was 1.5 indicating that for every N100 invested, the enterprise yields additional N50. The regression analysis showed that experience of farmers in fish farming, quantity of feed used, access to credit and size of pond were significant determinants of fish farm production in Nigeria. Major challenges confronting fish farming in the study area are lack of access to credit, high cost of inputs and poor extension services.

Key words: Fish farming, inland waters, nutrition, employment, poverty, sustainable, pond.

African Journal of Fisheries Science Vol. 2 (7), pp. 132-136, July, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Production of fish smoking kiln

George Davison, Victor Sebastian and Lebechi Linda  

Aquaculture Division, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, P.M.B. 12729, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.  Email: [email protected]

Accepted 07 June, 2014

Abstract 

The design and construction of fish smoking kiln was undertaken with the aim of improving the existing fish smoking kiln. The kiln consists of metal frame made of angle iron on which the entire component was assembled. The handle controls the speed of the ventilation fan through chain and sprocket. The charcoal housing is made of perforated metal sheet to allow for proper ventilation. The kiln is operated manually by turning the handle which drives the fan to augment natural ventilation. The machine performance was evaluated using fish samples (African mud Fish) smoked to an average moisture content of 11.46% within an average time span of 5 h, and the average final weight of the dried fish was 0.9827 Kg. It was found that the fish can be kept for at least two months before showing the sign of spoilage.

Key words: Fish, kiln, moisture content, smoke charcoal.

African Journal of Fisheries Science Vol. 2 (6), pp. 128-131, June, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Fish meal Substitution by earthworm meal (Libyodrilus violaceus) in diets for African catfish, (Clarias gariepinus)

Ameachi Chinedu, chika I. K and Nathaniel Oboroh

African Regional Aquaculture Centre/Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, P.M.B 5122, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 27 May, 2014

Abstract

A seven-week feeding trial was conducted to examine the possibility of replacing fish meal with earthworm meal in the diets of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus fry. Fish meal protein was replaced by earthworm meal at 0% (D0); 15% (D15); 25% (D25); 35% (D35); and 50% (D50). The diets were isonitrogenous (54%) and fed thrice daily to triplicate groups of African catfish fry at 5% body weight. Diet had a significant effect on growth performance and feed utilization (p≤0.05). Final weight, weight gain, daily weight gain, and specific growth rate, were highest in fish fed diet D25. A similar pattern of growth was observed for length measurements. Fish fed diets exceeding 25% replacement of fish meal with earthworm meal had depressed growth. Feed conversion ratio was highest in fish fed D35. Mortality was not dependent on diet. It is concluded that fish meal can be substituted with earthworm meal up to 25% in the diet of C. gariepinus fry without adverse effects on growth and nutrient utilization.

Key words: Earthworm meal, fish nutrition, African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Libyodrilus violaceous.

African Journal of Fisheries Science Vol. 2 (6), pp. 107-127, June, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Cross-examination on taxonomic status, economic importance, geographical distribution, present status and prevailing threats of Fish varieties, Himalayan and Indo Burma biodiversity hotspots zones of North East India

Jatan Imtiyaz, Husen O. Barot and Imtiyaz Ayan Fahabi

Department of Fish Extension Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 01 May, 2014

Abstract

The paper lists 422 fish species from north east India, belonging to 133 genera and 38 families. The maximum diversity is observed in the family Cyprinidae, which is represented by 154 species. Families Anguillidae, Engraulidae, Chacidae, Aplocheilidae, Syngnathidae, Sciaenidae, Osphronemidae, Ophichthidae, Pristigastiridae and Tetraodontidae are represented by a single species each. The habitat, economic importance, distribution (within Northeast India) and threat criteria are listed. The names of the species are corrected after following the new nomenclature. The list includes plain, torrential and estuarine, as well as exotic species. The species are listed from findings of the documented references that have been known till December, 2011. The threats criteria have been finalised from the IUCN & NBFGR reports and physical verification of the habitat, in different seasons and the existing natural and anthropogenic hazards that prevail. It has been found that the fish diversity of these hotspots faces serious threats which would lead to a catastrophic loss of our biodiversity. Further, this survey shows that the north eastern region of India contains more than 62.81% of total freshwater fish available in the country, as against the 667 freshwater species reported. The findings provide 48 endangered, 69 near threatened, 103 vulnerable, 153 least concerned, 23 data deficient and 26 not evaluated species from the list. The different natural and anthropogenic threats are evaluated. The impact of the different threats and the present conservation status of the fish fauna from the north eastern region of India raises several questions regarding their sustainance as well as the need for a future environmental impact analysis.

Key words: Fish diversity, fish geography, fish conservation status, natural and anthropogenic hazards, digitized map of Himalayan and Indo- Burma biodiversity hotspots zone.

African Journal of Fisheries Science Vol. 2 (5), pp. 099-106, May, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Possibilities for aquacultural development in sub-Sahara Africa: Locally produced fish feed

Ephiede J Adebisi, Adetarami Dudusola and Akinlade S. Temenu

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.Email: [email protected].

Accepted 30 April, 2014

Abstract 

Aquaculture development and growth in Africa have been on low ebb despite the vast aquatic resources that abounds on the continent. Since the introduction of aquaculture to Africa, some decades ago, there have been a lot of innovations, technological advancement and progress in the areas of genetics, seed propagation, pond construction and farm management in general. Despite breakthroughs recorded in these areas most farmers in Africa still rely heavily on imported feed ingredients and fish feeds from European countries, which makes fish farming expensive as fish feed account for at least 60% of the total cost of production. This has contributed in no small measure to the slow pace at which aqua-culture is advancing in Africa. This article, however reviewed critically the potentials of locally manufac-tured fish feed in enhancing, improving and sustaining aquaculture development in Africa. Various methods of processing employed were discussed and suggestions were made on how aquaculture growth can reach its maximum potential in the production of fish through utilization of locally available fish feed ingredients.

Key words: Aquaculture, fish feed, local production, sub-Saharan Africa