A proposed integrated livestock-rice-poultry-cum-fish culture in enclosure system

Integrated agriculture-cum-fish farming has been practised profitably for ages in the Chinese small-scale farming system. There is a great potential for this system by utilizing the vast Nigerian flood plains (approx. 515,000 ha). Dogongari Bay in Lake Kainji Basin was identified as a suitable site for this system after some extensive fish culture trials. Polyculture of Clarias spp., Heterotis niloticus and Tilapia was proposed for integration with layers in the poultry house, 2-ha upland rain-fed rice farming and indirect cattle rearing in the 5-ha enclosure site. Cost benefit analysis showed that the system will consistently record profit as from the second year of operation. Various complex factors were identified to affect profitability of this mixed farming system. Concerted research approach is needed to fully understand the interrelationships of the various components of this integrated system. Generous funding of research activities is very crucial in this situatio

Small scale commercial production of tilapia fingerlings in floating bamboo net-hapas

The inadequate supply of tilapia seed is considered as one of the major present constraints to the development of the culture industry in Nigeria. The floating bamboo net-hapa hatchery/nursery system was observed to be very efficient in the mass production of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry and fingerlings at Kainji Lake Research Institute. This system was therefore, recommended for small-scale (artisanal) commercial operators consisting of fishermen families in order to increase their productivity and hasten development of rural communities. The economic analysis of this system showed that loan obtained for the recommended scale of operation can be amortized within 2 years of the project. It was emphasized that the operational and managerial skills of the fish farm operators account largely to the production cost and profitability of the enterpris

Intensive small scale cage, pen and enclosure fish production systems: towards 2010

A brief review of most of the publications by the author and other relevant workers on the three water-based fish culture systems was made. The present status of the culture systems in the National Food/Fish Programmes was highlighted. Strategies were advanced towards a successful implementation of the intensive water-based culture systems project as a contribution towards alleviating poverty, hunger and malnutrition under the concept of VISION 201

Utilization of waste waters in fish production: preliminary results from fish culture studies in floating cages in a sewage pond, New Bussa, Nigeria

The utilization of waste waters in aquaculture were briefly reviewed. At the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR), stocking density (20 to 160 fish/m super(3)) experiments using Sarotherodon galilaeus (without supplementary feeding) in floating cages were carried out in a sewage pond (0.4ha surface area). Cage culture of S. galilaeus was observed to have potentials in waste waters aquaculture. Recommendations were made on the execution of an intergrated waste water management and utilization

Modern aquaculture practices for increased fish production in Nigeria

Various modern aquaculture practices applied in fish production especially in Asia are reviewed. The vast Nigerian aquatic medium of numerous water bodies like rivers, streams, lakes reservoirs, flood plains, irrigation canals, coastal swamps offer great potentials for aquaculture production, if optimally utilized. Constraints to modernization of aquaculture in Nigeria among other factors are: 1) a serious shortage of trained manpower; 2) lack of knowledge on profitability of aquaculture as an industry; 3) limited availability of fund (or capital); 4) non-recognition of indigenous trained aquaculture personnel; 5) inadequate data base on the biology and ecological requirements of endemic fish species with aquaculture potentials; 6) insufficient data on production and management techniques; and 7) lack of rational aquaculture development planning. Recommendations are made towards combating these constraint

Culture Trials of Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) Fingerlings and Juveniles Using Floating Plastic Enclosure System

There is paucity of information on the suitable floating catfish fingerling/nursery production system for juvenile catfish which are in very high demand. The effects of enclosure shape, stocking density, water quality on production of catfish fingerlings and juveniles were evaluated by carrying out two experiments. Experiments involved the use of two plastic enclosure shapes (circular and rectangular of 60litres each) and dosage of eggs (5g, 10g, and 15g of eggs). There were 3 replicates per treatment (enclosure shape and dosage). Eggs were incubated and hatched in the enclosures. Data collected were number of fingerlings, weight and length, pH and water temperature inside and outside the enclosures were also monitored. Parameters monitored included number of juveniles, percentage of shooters and suspected cannibalized fish. Data were subjected to ANOVA. Results showed that mean water pH inside the enclosures were not significantly different (p>0.05) with respect to enclosure shape. Weight and length of fish at fingerling stage were affected significantly (p<0.001) by dosage. 5g dosage recorded highest mean weight (3.6g) and the length (6.7cm) of fish at fingerling stage while the 15g dosage had the least mean weight (2.0g) and length (5.0cm). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in water temperature and pH within and outside the enclosure under different egg dosages, percentage of shooters and suspected cannibalized fish were not significantly different (p> 0.05) between enclosure shapes. However, the mean weight of fish in circular enclosure was significantly higher (p<0.001) than in rectangular enclosure. Fish in circular enclosures weighed 7.7g each while those in rectangular enclosures weighed 7.0g. Percentage survival and number of shooters were not significantly different (p>0.05) among the three stocking densities. In contrast, number of fish harvested and suspected cannibalized fish were affected significantly (p<0.001) by stocking densities. Length of fish harvested was significantly different (p<0.001) among the stocking densities. The higher the stocking density the shorter the length of fish harvested. The same inverse trend was observed in weight of shooters, stocking density at 60 fish/enclosure yielded the lightest shooters (6.4g) compared with the highest (8.3g) in 15 fish/enclosure. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in number of shooters under the different stocking densities, however it is concluded that lower stocking density is preferred to higher stocking density. It is therefore recommended that enclosure of either shape could be adopted. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-14-04 Publication date:July 31st 202

Investigation of the socioeconomic activities and potentials of rural fisher folks in Oyan Lake Area

An investigation of the socio-economic potential of the inhabitants living around Oyan lake (40km2 surface area) was carried out between January 2001 and August 2002. Five hundred (500) copies of the questionnaires were distributed among the people living around the entire stretch of the lake and 283 people responded. The commercial fish landing estimates showed that the total landing for the entire period of study was 4,628 (number) weighing 1,856.6kg. Mean catch per boat per sampling day (number and weight) was estimated to be 113 and 4.28kg respectively. Therefore the estimated annual fish landing (number and weight) per boat from 317 fishing days were 35,821 and 1,356.7kg respectively. The potential annual fish yield from commercial fishery for the lake was 147.5 tonnes while the total number of active boats recorded for the entire lake was 43,241

FISH FEED DEVELOPMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE FISH PRODUCTION IN AFRICA

Combinations of three commercial digestive enzyme supplements (protease, carbohydrase and phytase) were added at the rate of 50g/kg to Fish:Soybean (50:50) meal diets to evaluate their effects on the efficiency of soybean meal as a substitute for fishmeal in practical diets for Clarias ganiepinus juveniles (9.38 + 0.04g) in a 30-day trial in in-door plastic tanks. Five diets were evaluated: T1 (control, with fishmeal (i.e. 100:0 diet) as the sole protein source without enzyme); T2 (fishmeal:soybean (50:50) without enzyme); T3 (50:50 diet supplemented with protease and carbohydrase); T4 (50:50 diet with phytase and carbohydrase) and T5 (50:50 diet with protease and phytase). The fish were fed to satiation once daily at 9.00hrs. Results showed that all treatments supported the growth of Clarias gariepinus, as mean fish weight increased from 9.38 to 21.66g during the experimental period. No mortality was recorded under all the treatments during the experiment. Average daily growth (ADG) was highest (0.45g/fish/d) in fish fed diet T3, followed by T5 (0.43); T1 (0.43); T2 (0.41) and T4 (0.33). Specific growth rate (SGR) was highest at 2.9% per day in T5, followed by T3, T1, T2 and T4 with 2.88, 2.85, 2.79 and 2.43% per day respectively. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lowest in T1 (1.09), followed by T5 (1.12), T3 (1.14), T2 (1.16) and T4 (1.24) respectively. Results confirmed that the use on supplementary digestive enzymes significantly improved the efficiency of soybean-based diets, suggesting that highly efficient fish diets could be produced using plant protein sources, thereby reducing the use of scarce and expensive fish-meal as protein source in fish feeds