Effects of bait types on fish congregation and catch efficiency of castnet in Lake Kainji

The effect of baits, rice bran (Oryza sativa L.) and corn bran (Zea mays L.) on fish aggregation and catch efficiency of castnet in Lake Kainji was conducted. 25.4mm stretched mesh size multifilament (PA) nylon net was used for the construction of castnet. The experiment was Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications for nineteen consecutive fishing days. Three treatments were employed; castnetting after baiting with rice bran, with corn bran, and castneting without bait (control). Thirteen fish species were caught from eight families. The number of fish caught was 336, of which 48.5 and 27.1 % were caught with corn bran and without bait while castnetting with rice bran recorded the least (24.4%). The biomass of fish caught was 4627.7g (4.6kg) of which the highest percentages 51.4 and 28.6% followed same trend as that of number of fish caught. Comparison of the overall number and biomass of fish capture indicated that Tilapia zillii ranked highest, followed by Citharinus citharus and Hydrocynus forskalii

A survey of the fisheries of River Niger at Yauri, Kebbi State

A survey of the fisheries of river Niger at Yauri was conducted with the aid of questionnaires administered randomly at four (4) landing sites of Tashan Kasuwa (main market), Gidan-ruwa, Yabon-ruwa and Hutawa. A total of fifty (50) questionnaires were administered in all the villages. From the research work it was found that 76 % of the fishermen operate on full time basis while 24 % operate on part time basis. Out of the 50 fishermen interviewed only 46% were licensed to operate there. The type of fishing gears and equipments used in Yauri are hook and line, cast net, gill net and seine net. About 46 % of the fishermen were found using mesh size less than 2.0 cm. The dominant fish species caught during flood and dry seasons include Clarias spp., Lates niloticus respectively. Higher catches are made in the months of March and April. All the fishermen interviewed (100%) do not process their fish but disposed them off fresh. Sixty percent of the fishermen belong to different cooperative societies, while 40% do not belong to any cooperative society. The problem associated with fishing operation at Yauri includes that of lack of credit facilities, lack of extension agents, and high cost of fishing items, poor road network and remote location of the fishing village