Role of women in fisheries and fish processing: a global view

Women are the majority of the third World population. They are considered subservient to their male counterpart, even in Europe and America where women have greater basic human right. This paper evaluates the various roles of women in Fisheries and fish processing. Statistics from the European Union shows that, of the various fishing sectors, participation of women (in terms of number) was greatest in fish processing, followed by marine aquaculture, marine fishing and inland aquaculture, with no women involved in inland fishing. In Asia and Africa women are basically involved in fish processing and marketing. In Asia (Thailand and Philippines), women are involved in hatchery operations in aquaculture in addition to fish processing. The finding of the review shows that Fish processing in developing countries, principally Africa is not attracting young literate generation who may have better management competence. It further revealed that, in Nigeria women are directly involved in capture fishery, in addition to fish marketing and processing. This is aimed at empowering women economically to meet the pressing needs of the family. The paper further assesses the problems of women in fisheries and fish processing namely, access to financial resources, education, support services and the need to ensure food security. Possible ways of improving women’s participation in fisheries were highlighted

Role of women in fisheries and fish processing: a global view

Women are the majority of the third World population. They are considered subservient to their male counterpart, even in Europe and America where women have greater basic human right. This paper evaluates the various roles of women in Fisheries and fish processing. Statistics from the European Union shows that, of the various fishing sectors, participation of women (in terms of number) was greatest in fish processing, followed by marine aquaculture, marine fishing and inland aquaculture, with no women involved in inland fishing. In Asia and Africa women are basically involved in fish processing and marketing. In Asia (Thailand and Philippines), women are involved in hatchery operations in aquaculture in addition to fish processing. The finding of the review shows that Fish processing in developing countries, principally Africa is not attracting young literate generation who may have better management competence. It further revealed that, in Nigeria women are directly involved in capture fishery, in addition to fish marketing and processing. This is aimed at empowering women economically to meet the pressing needs of the family. The paper further assesses the problems of women in fisheries and fish processing namely, access to financial resources, education, support services and the need to ensure food security. Possible ways of improving women’s participation in fisheries were highlighted

Growth, nutrient utilization and body composition of juvenile bagrid catfish, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Claroteidae), fed different dietary crude protein levels

Background. The African bagrid catfish, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacepède, 1803), is an omnivorous species cultured in both fresh and brackish waters because of its good growth rate, excellent taste, and high market demand. There has been little nutritional work on this economically important species. This study was designed to determine the effects of varying dietary crude protein levels on growth, nutrient utilization and body composition of juvenile C. nigrodigitatus. Materials and methods. One hundred and twenty fish with an initial mean weight of 21.33 ± 0.48 g were divided randomly among 12 tanks for triplicate groups that were fed diets containing 20%, 25%, 30%, and 35% crude protein (CP). Feed consumption and fish weight were measured biweekly for eight weeks, after which proximate composition of the fish was determined. Results. Fish fed the 35% CP diet had the best growth performance and nutrient utilization (P < 0.05), with a mean weight gain of 88.3% ± 0.2%, feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 2.60 ± 0.12, and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of 1.10 ± 0.05. The least weight gain (32.1% ± 0.9%) and poorest FCR and PER (5.70 ± 0.06 and 0.87 ± 0.01, respectively) were observed in fish fed the 20% CP diet. Body protein content was not affected by diet, but body lipid increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary protein levels. Conclusion. C. nigrodigitatus juveniles will grow best when fed diets containing at least 35% CP