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

Comparative analysis of physicochemical characteristics of ABU and Zaria Dam

The physical and chemical parameters of ABU Dam and Zaria Dam were carried out between September and October 2009. The results obtained in the two water bodies were temperature 27.7 0C, pH (7.5 and 7.3), dissolved oxygen (5.8 mg/l and 5.0 mg/l), biochemical oxygen demand (1.74 mg/l and 2. 16 mg/l), alkalinity (58 mg CaC03/l and 49 mgCaCO3/l) P04-P (2.47 mg/l and 1.59 mg/l) NO3-N (3.67 mg/l and 3.47 mg/l), conductivity (54.70 ~ks-1 and 42.48 ~ks-1), total hydrocarbon (TH) (47.66 mg/l) and 48.00 mg/l) and total dissolved solids (32.68 mg/l and 25.35 mg/l) respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean values of the parameters (P>0.05) except conductivity and total dissolved solids. The water bodies were found to be neutral with high conductivity. All the properties in the water bodies were in conformity with international standards both for drinking and aquatic life