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 resource

Effects of spices on the chemical properties of hot-smoked catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Effect of spices on the chemical properties of hot-smoked catfish (C.gariepinus) was examined. The experimental design was complete randomized design (CRD) with the treatments been the variously spiced hot-smoked catfish (garlic, ginger, garlic-ginger homogenate spiced and the control without spices). Proximate and mineral content analyses were carried out using standard experimental procedures. There exist significant differences (p<0.05) in the percentage moisture and crude protein content with smoked catfish without spices having the highest moisture content with mean value 6.18 ~c 0.13 and 79.44 ~c 0.13 respectively which could be as a result of the increase in the fibre content of the spiced fish products which is a function of fibre content of the spices applied to the fish products. Similar trend was also observed for the lipid and ash contents the fish products. There exist significant differences (p<0.05) in the mineral content preseent in the various fish products with the exception of magnesium. The products are rich in calcium and other minerals with garlic-ginger homogenate spiced product having the highest level of calcium (0.980 ~c 0.02)

Role of feed handling in fish farms in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

This study examined fish health status in relation to fish feed handling. Twelve (12) fish farms were randomly selected for assessment of types of fish farms, sources, disease problems associated with fish feeds as well as mode of operation and age of farms in Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were administered for data collection. The fish farms surveyed were categorized into three (3) main groups: farms with less than five (5) fish rearing tanks as small scale production (16. 7%), farms with more than five but less than 10 fish rearing tanks as medium scale production (75%) and farms with above ten (10) fish rearing tanks as large scale production (8.3%). The operational methods were fingerlings production (25%), grow-out (table-size) production (25%) and those involved in the production of both fingerlings and table-size fish (50%). All the farms surveyed utilized compounded rations with only one farm combining compounded rations with natural food (artemia). All the farms experienced different levels of limitations in sourcing for feeds. The types of diseases identified on the farms were bacterial disease, parasitic disease as well as water pollution problem. As regards the duration of feed storage, feeds stored for three months and above suffered more disease problems with increase in water pollution level and presence of parasitic disease, while feeds stored for less than two (2) months experienced only bacterial disease. In controlling the highlighted diseases, farms with brood stock fish adopted only the effort of elimination of water (l00%), those involved in fingerlings used antibiotics and malachite green (50% and 100% respectively), those involved in the production of table-size fish used antibiotics (50%), while those involved in production of both fingerlings and table-size employed 100% water elimination

Genetic diversity studies of bacteria isolated from Clarias gariepinus along Yewa river in Nigeria using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) techniques and their antibiotic resistance profile

Pathogenic bacteria are responsible for heavy mortality in both wild and cultured fish. Molecular characterization was carried out using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAPolymerase Chain Reaction technique (RAPD-PCR), sensitivity to antibiotics of bacteria in Clarias gariepinus post juveniles sampled. Bacteria were isolated from the gut, gills and skin of the fish. Identification was done using the conventional culture-based method. Thirty bacteria isolates were selected and the DNAs were extracted using CTAB method, PCR amplification of the isolates was carried out using RAPD primer and five primers were used. Data collected were subjected to descriptive (mean and standard deviation) statistics. There were 63 polymorphic and 14 monomorphic markers generated from the five RAPD markers. The primers generated 77 alleles altogether. Out of the 10 antibiotics used, Cephalexin recorded the highest inhibition zone (33 mm) on one sample, Gentamicin on second sample had (30 mm). The least inhibition zone was recorded in Cotrimoxazole on the second sample with (8 mm), 70.5 % bacteria strains were susceptible to Gentamicin while two samples displayed 100 % resistance to all the antibiotics. This study concluded that there are pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria species in C. gariepinus which could be zoonotic.Keywords: bacteria isolates, genetic diversity, RAPD-PCR, DNA extraction, sensitivity, Clarias gariepinus Polymorphism, Antiboiti

Aflatoxin levels in fish feeds in Abeokuta, Ogun State

Post harvest contamination can occur if drying of feed is delayed and when water is allowed to exceed critical values for mould to grow during storage. This study examined the aflatoxin levels in fish feeds surveyed in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Fifteen (15) fish farms were randomly selected for assessment of the aflatoxin levels in fish feeds in Abeokuta. After the estimation of the aflatoxin levels using Veratox quantitative aflatoxin test, the Aflatoxin concentrations in the samples ranged between 0-49 ppb with a mean value of 6.89 ppb. Results obtained from this study showed that aflatoxins were found to be associated with fish feeds in different fish farms in Abeokuta, but, a very high proportion of the feed samples were below the regulatory levels (maximum of 20 ppb) that may not be toxic to the health of the fish according to the regulatory levels for aflatoxins issued by the Food and Administration of the United States. Thus, feeds fed to the cultured fish species in farms in Abeokuta were fit for consumption, with very little or no threat of aflatoxicosis (a disease that can affect many species of fish, when feed contaminated with aflatoxin is consumed)

Perception and Determinants of Uptake of Preventive Health Services among the Staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State

Background: The rising burden of chronic non-communicable diseases in Nigeria makes the need for preventive health services (PHS) imperative. Thus, this study assessed the perception and determinants of uptake of preventive health services among the staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was employed. Two hundred and ninety academic and non-academic staff of the university were enrolled in the study, using a stratified random sampling technique. The sample size was proportionally allocated to various subunits in the institution. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Determinants of uptake of PHS were assessed using binary logistic regression. A p-value of &lt; 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: The majority of the respondents, 280 (96.6%) had good perceptions of PHS, and 176 (60.7%) reported barriers in access to PHS. Although a majority of the respondents, 268 (92.4%) had positive attitudes towards PHS, most of the respondents 196 (67.6%) had poor uptake. Common barriers to uptake of PHS were availability and affordability of the services, time constraints, and interference with other activities. Being an academic staff (p = 0.001) and presence of chronic illness (p = 0.043) were significant determinants of PHS uptake.Conclusion: Uptake of PHS was poor among majority of the respondents despite their good perception of the services. This may be linked to the perceived barriers to access. Thus, there is a need for policy formulation and provision of an enabling environment by the University’s authority for ease of access to PHS

Selectivity of three aquatic weeds as diet for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

A total of sixty juvenile Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) were fed three species of aquatic weed, namely Azolla filiculoides (water fern), Elodea sp. and Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) to determine which of the weeds will be selectively consumed, and preferred of all. A control group of twenty Nile tilapia was fed compounded feed. The selectivity of the weeds was observed based on their utilization as food source, and Azolla filiculoides was found to be highly utilized, followed by Elodea sp. and the roots of Pistia stratiotes. The growth response of the fish to the diets was found to be highest for fish fed compounded feed followed by Azolla filiculoides and Elodea sp., while Pistia stratiotes produced a negative growth trend. It is therefore postulated that Azolla filiculoides and Pista sp. are good feedstuffs for O. niloticus especially when used together with other feedstuff

Fatty-acid composition of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii in Ogun estuary, Nigeria

A study was carried out on the fatty-acid composition of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (African river prawn) in Ogun estuary, Ogun State, Nigeria. Sexes and size groups were considered during the study. Fatty-acid analysis was done in triplicates and data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range tests. Fatty acids analysed which included oleic acid, linoleic acid,' stearic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and lauric acid were classified into saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. All values of saturated fatty acids were higher in female (29.64%) than in male (25.50%) p< 0.05. So also the monounsaturated fatty acid also showed higher value in female (29.64%) than in male (25.50%). All fatty- acid values were higher in female M. vollenhovenii than in male. Meanwhile, myristic acid was highest in the two sexes and the combined sexes, (35.68% female), (33.14% male) and (34.74% combined sexes). The fatty-acid components were not influenced by the size of the fish. This study clearly indicated that the nutritive value of M. vollenhovenii is quite well comparable to the edible species of decapods already studied (shrimps, prawns and lobsters) and could be included in both human and livestock diets

One year results of one minute Rainfall Rate Measurement at Covenant University, Southwest Nigeria

One year results of one minute rainfall rate measurement at Ota, Southwest, Nigeria (6° 42'N, 3° 14'E) from a wireless Davis Vantage Pro2 Weather Station is presented. The weather station was set at one minute integration time, and the rainfall rate data from the months of April 2012 to March 2013 have been analyzed. One minute rainfall rate at various percentages of time are needed for the modeling and prediction of rain attenuation at microwave frequencies for both terrestrial and earth space links. The measured one-minute rainfall rate events captured by the instrument for the past one year varies between 3 to 141 mm/h from 1% to 0.01% of time in an average year respectively. When the results were compared to the ITU_RP SG3 Digital Map from 1% to 0.01% (3.63 to 62.87 mm/h) the ITU-RP model underestimate rainfall rate at 0.01% exceedance by 55% and over estimate the rainfall rate at 1% exceedance by 3% respectively