African Journal of Fisheries Science

African Journal of Fisheries Science ISSN 2375-0715 Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Fish culture technologies in South-eastern Nigeria

Benedict Obeten Offem*, Gabriel Ujong Ikpi and Fidelis Ada

Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Cross River University of Technology, Obubra Campus, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 September, 2019

Abstract

Aquaculture has become an important sector in Nigerian economy and is considered a means of bridging the gap between the supply and demand for fish since the wild stock is fast declining. The study was carried out to assess the status, structure, operation and management options of fish culture systems in three zones of South-east Nigeria and to determine the impact on the economy of the region. Results shows that the number of operational fish ponds in the region was estimated to be 346 consisting of 205 extensive, 105 semi-intensive and 36 intensive fish farms with majority of culturist operating at subsistence level. Common fish cultured were Clarias gariepinus, Heterobranchus longifilis, Heteroclarias, Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias anguillaris and Hemichromis fasciatus. O. niloticus was most common in all zones accounting for 91.6% while Heteroclarias culture was practiced only in Zone C. Earthen ponds were most common in Zone A and accounted for 40.9% while majority of farms (33.3%) in Zone C raised their fish in concrete ponds. More farms in Zone C adopted flow through system constituting 51.9% while stagnant ponds accounted for 74.2 and 56.8% of ponds in Zones A and B, respectively. Most common culture systems in the three zones were polycultured. Rainfall was major source of water in Zone A (71.0%) while rivers/streams were the common sources for culturist in Zones B (52.3%) and C (53.3%). However, well water and borehole take the lead as sources of water during the dry season. Males were the dominant sex among culturists and majority, were of ages between 40 and 70 years. Secondary school education was the least among culturists and fish farm activity was predominantly part-time (61.8%). Low income farmers were dominant in Zone A (79.0%) while majority of farmers (85.7%) in Zone C were high income. Personal savings was the most important source of financing farm operation among fish producers in Zone A (63.8%) while Bank loan was the common (56.3%) source of finance in Zone C. Therefore, to encourage new entrants especially the unemployed in the rural communities to start the enterprise, urgent steps must be taken to make credit facility available.

Key words: Fish culture, culturists, culture technologist, South-east Nigeria.

African Journal of Fisheries Science ISSN 2375-0715 Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Physico-chemical analysis of fish pond water in Okada and its environs, Nigeria

J. E. Ehiagbonare¹* and Y. O. Ogunrinde²

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.

²Department of Environmental Science, Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 11 April, 2020

Abstract

Water samples were collected from concrete and earthen fish ponds in different locations in Okada and its environs, Edo State, Nigeria. Twenty-one different physiochemical parameters were analyzed using standard laboratory methods and procedures. In the present study, the values of the parameters ranged from pH 6.75 - 7.10, conductivity 0.012 - 0.017 mS/cm, TDS 22 - 906 mg/l, COD 162 - 397 mg/l, turbidity (NTU) 5 -170, TSS 85 -206 mg/l, BOD 1.69 - 3.38 mg/l, DO 9.3 - 16.2 mg/l, acidity 100 - 575 mg/l, alkaline 35 -135 mg/l, calcium 16.01 - 50.06 mg/l, magnesium 1.21 - 5.46 mg/l, hardness 0.40 - 1.47 mg/l, chloride 7.1-10.65 mg/l, sulphate 0.66 - 0.96 mg/l, phosphate 1.40 - 4.51 mg/l, nitrate 2.21 - 4.91 mg/l, copper 0.01 -0.07 ppm, and zinc 0.01 - 0.07 ppm; cadmium and lead were not detected in the samples. There was significant variation of values from location to location; generally there was no significant difference from desirable and acceptable standards. Although there is economic advantage to the fish farmers, there is the desirable need to analyze the fish pond water at regular intervals. This quality assurance process is to ensure that there are no toxic substances in ponds leading to possible bio-accumulation and magnification. In this way the good health of aquaculture, humans and the environment can be guaranteed.

Key words: Physiochemical parameters, concrete fish ponds, desirable and acceptable standards.

African Journal of Fisheries Science ISSN 2375-0715 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-014, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of management practices undertaken in emerging commercial fish farms in Uganda against food safety control measures recommended by international markets

Ananias Bagumire¹*, Ewen C. D. Todd², George W. Nasinyama³ and Charles Muyanja⁴

¹United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Programme on Trade Capacity Building in Agro-Industry Products for Establishment and Proof of Compliance with International Market Requirements, East African Community Secretariat, Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), P. O. Box 1096, Arusha, Tanzania.

²Food Safety Policy Center and Department of Advertising, Public Relations, and Retailing; Communications Arts

Sciences Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

³Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

⁴Department of Food Science and Technology, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

Accepted 25 March, 2020

Abstract

Selected commercial aquaculture enterprises in Uganda were evaluated for compliance with internationally recommended food safety-related control measures. Food hazard control measures at potential critical control points of: farm siting, farm facilities and premises, and facilities for feed processing and storage, chemical storage, drug storage and waste storage were evaluated. Requirements for traceability, legal and certification, standard sanitation operating procedures and food safety skills for farm workers were the other measures evaluated. On a scale of 0 - 5 where 0 denotes none, 1 very low, 2 low, 3 acceptable, 4 almost total and 5, full compliance, the majority of control points evaluated had average scores below 3, a minimum acceptable level of compliance with international guidelines. Feed processing and storage areas were the most deficient of the potential critical control points. Other significant deficiencies occurred in requirements for traceability of fish and use of on-farm standard sanitation operating procedures. Veterinary drug use, a common problem with aquaculture exports, was not an issue since none of the farms was highly intensive – a practice that would increase the risk of infestation of fish with pathogens and raise the need for use of drugs. The compliance gap requires food safety policy and practice interventions in Uganda and other sub-Saharan countries that plan to export products to highly regulated markets like in the European Union.

Key words: Uganda, food safety, control measures, aquaculture compliance, sub-Saharan Africa, international market requirements.

African Journal of Fisheries Science ISSN 2375-0715 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-004, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Regeneration of germlings and seedlings development from cauline leaves of Sargassum thunbergii

Feng Li¹, Shoutuan Yu², Yuze Mao¹ and Naihao Ye¹*

¹Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China.

²Hongdao Street Office of QingdaoChengyang District, China.

Accepted 18 March, 2020

Abstract

A method of producing artificial Sargassum thunbergii seedlings is urgently desired to meet the increasing demand of raw materials used for aquaculture and for the sake of environmental protection. This is the first report of attempt to study the vegetative propagation of this species using cauline leaves under laboratory conditions. On average, 45.75% of the excised leaves survived and one leaf could produce several new individuals. Adventitious burgeons grew into branches about 2 mm in length after 3 months of culture. The new individuals were cutoff and could be used as seedlings for raft culture and seabed restoration after a further culture to elongate enough for hand-planting.

Key words: Sargassum thunbergii, artificial seedling, brown seaweed, cauline leaves.