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

Eyo, A.A.

Otubusin, S.O.

English

Aquatic Commons

ABSTRACT
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 2010.
181
feasible if aquaculture production could be
doubled in the next 15 years among other
conservation and management measures. At the
local scene, NISER (1995) reported the projected
fish supply and demand calls for a pragmatic
option of intensive fish farming, a manageable
production system, using especially at small-scale
the water-based fish culture systems: cage, pen
and enclosure. Smallscale not only because "small
is beautiful" but also because for example, in
capture fishery, the small scale (artisanal) is
however, still the most important sub-sector,
consistently accounting for well over 90% of the
total domestic production in Nigeria (West, 1986).
An intensive water-based fish culture system
designed to incorporate these rural folks will
inunensely contribute to the fish demand in
Nigeria.
An attempt will therefore be made in this paper to
briefly review some relevant publications of this
author and some other appropriate workers on the
subject matter in order to advance strategies
towards a successful utilization of these intertsive
water-based fish culture systems as a contribution
to the concept of VISION 2010.
INTENSIVE SMALL SCAL CAGE, PEN P ENCLOS
FISH PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: TOWA 5 2010
S. . OTUBUSIN
Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management,
University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeolatta, Nigeria
1. INTRODUCTION
Capture fisheries - where fishermen go out to the
natural or man-made unstocked bodies of water to
"hunt for fish" - is the main source of fish supply.
FAO (1995) reported that it appears that most of
the major inland fisheries are now being exploited
at close to, or above, their sustainable levels. FAO
(op. cit) noted that inland capture fisheries yields
increased steadily from 1984 to peak in 1990 at a
global total of some 6.5 million tons. Since 1990
catches appeared to have stabilized or even
declined slightly. Considering both inland and
marine capture fisheries, in 1989 world fish
production reached 100.3 million tons. Production
declined in 1990 and 1991 to 97 million tons, but
increased to 98 7 million tons in 1992, and to
101.3 million tons in 1993 (FAO, 1995). The
increase in total production between 1992 and
1993 came almost entirely from aquaculture. The
projections provided in FAO's Agriculture:
towards 2010 indicated that to maintain present
per caput fish consumption levels of 13.0 kg per
year 2010 (forecasted population, 7032 naillion),
91 million tons of food fish would be required
(FAO, 1993). Such an increase in the production
of food fish was considered
2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Since 1983, a systematic approach had been
initiated towards evolving a fish production
techn.ology using locally available materials as fish
enclosures erected within the abundant water
bodies (about 12.5 million ha, Ita et al, 1985) that
Nigeria is endowed with (Otubusin, 1983). This
was soon followed by the reports of the results
from preliminary studies on bamboo floating cage
and net enclosure fish culture in Lake Kainji
Basin (Otubusin and Opeloye, 1985).
The investment prospects of these water-based fish
culture systems were further reported for
commercial entrepreneurship for fingerlings, table-
size fish and integrated system (Otubusin, 1986;
1987; 1989; 1990; 1992; Otubusin et al., 1991;
Otubusin and Olatunde, 1992). The versatility of
these fish culture systems was also reported at a
Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) Conference
at Akure in 1990 (Otubusin, 1990) and a
Community Based Implementation Strategy
(CMS) was re-iterated as appropriate for effective
grass-root patticipation in the fish culture.
Aside froxrt the few trainirtg programmes
organized at the Institute (WM) in cage
farming, it is noteworthy that a pilot-scale
commercial cage fish culture project was inidated
at Shagunu Bay - the continuity of which is now
history! (Otubusin, 1993). This background
information will not be complete without making
mention of the inability of Nigerian/Gennan
(GTZ) TU0 Lake Fisheries Promotion Project to
promote small-scale cage fish fanning, as a
possible approach for fisheries development in
Kainji Lake - for the fact that, according to GTZ,
"the viability of the project could not be seen
from the economic figures" (Mdailili and Du Feu,
1994).
3.PRESENT STATUS OF THE CULTURE
SYSTEMS IN NATIONAL FOOD/FISH
PROGRAMMES
It is encouraging to note that in spite of the
"apathy" sometimes suffered by these innovative
culture systems in Nigeria, recent interests from
both local and international bodies (e.g. IFAD)
have been geared up towards generous funding of
182
this project. These water-based fish culture
systems are also accorded high priority under the
tasks of most of the zones participating in the
National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) -
National Coordinated Research project
(NCRP/MTRP, Freshwater and Marine
Fisheries)
Private organizations and individuals have also
began to show interest in operating water-based
fish culture systems especially under the situation
of exorbitant cost of hiring earth-moving
equipments for pond construction, inland-based
fish culture system. The gradual pioliferation of
"bush-parks" or "acadjas" on the waters of the
coastal states of Nigeria, especially Lagos State is
a good indicator of the desire of the artisanal
fisherfolks to practice the cheaper water-based fish
culture system. In spite of these renewed interests
in these culture systems, there is urgent need to
formulate workable strategies towards a practical
utilization of these systems in profitable and
sustainable fish production.
4. TBE STRA FLGIES
(a)Considering all the factors of production in
culture fisheries, there is urgent need for a well
planned and implemented human resources
development especially for the middle and high
level manpower needs of the national intensive
stnall scale cage, pen and enclosure fish culture
project. At least ten of such subject matter
specialists (with bias in cage, pen and enclosure
systems) should be trained per state by early 2000
AD. This situation assumes that all fisheries
related Institutions (Fisheries Colleges and
Departments of Fisheries in Universities) will
without delay include courses in water-based fish
culture systems in their syllabuses.
(b) The govermnent at the three tiers should
accord water- based culture systems the highest
priority and generously back up same financially.
It should be noted that the largest expanse of
water bodies Nigeria is endowed with is the
propelling third major factor of production.
Israel's water bodies total surface area is less
than 0.1% of those of Nigeria and yet Israel's
records in water-based Agriculture is
resounding. A committed itnplementation of
strategies 1 and 2 will therefore be a synergistic
approach to making a good success of the project.
The well-trained subject matter specialist
(SMS) in each State will then be used as trainers
of village Extension Agents (VEAs) who will in
turn be used as facilitators of the demonstration of
the water-based fish culture systems at the Local
Government Areas (LGA). At least two VEAs
rust be so trained to serve each Local
Government Area for grassroots participation.
With well trained manpower at the State and
LGA levels, fishermen and interested
farmers/individuals should be organized into
community Development Associations (CDAs) for
a Courtmunity Based Implementation Strategy
(CBIS) of the national water-based fish culture
project. At least two demonstration sites of the
location-specific, water-based culture system
(either cage, pen or enclosure) should be
established for thorough on - the - spot training of
fishermen/fish farmers at the grassroots level. A
subsequent target by the year 2010 of 100 units
of CDA - owned water-based culture systems per
LGA capable of annual production of 10 tons of
fish per unit will annually supply 1,000 tons of
fish. The annual total fish production by all the
LGAs say 772 (but should be more by 2010 AD)
will be 772,000 tons which is about 82% of the
deficit between projected supply and demand of
NISER (1995).
Filially, the University of Agriculture,
Abeokuta (specifically its Department of
Aquaculture and Fisheries Management) is
strongly recommended to co-ordinate this
proposed National Intensive Small Scale Cage,
Pen and Enclosure (NISCAPEN) Fish Culture
Project. This co-ordination center will then
183
call a National workshop on the Project and map
out practical, effective, result-oriented strategies
for meeting the set target under the concept of
VISION 2010.
5. CONCLUSION
Without any iota of doubt, Nigeria is very much
endowed with abundant natural resources
(including aquatic resources) which if well utilized
should help alleviate hunger, starvation,
malnutrition, poverty and unemployment.
However, this author liad been sounding the "bell"
for immediate attention and action pertaining to
the immense potentials of these water-based fish
culture systems with little or no positive response
from the goverinnent and even non-governmental
organizations e. g. Nigerian/German (GTZ) Kainji
Lake Fisheries Promotion Project (Mdaihli and Du
Feu, 1994).
The latest government's economic policy focus-
vision 2010 which is in line with global clarion
call - TOWARDS 2010, literally 'discarding' the
outdated FOOD or HEALTH or SHELTER -
FOR ALL BY THE YEAR 2000, should
seriously and faithfully address the food security
issues of the country. A prominent part should be
played by Nigeria's abundant aquatic resources. A
public debate on the policy focus - VISION 2010,
should without delay be set in motion and
immense contributions from all facets of Nigeria's
economy including the culture water-based
fisheries sub-sector should be well digested and
assimilated to lead to the emergence of a fruitful
national plan that will be faithfully implemented
for the good of all. The Malaysian example,
VISION 2010, should be enough food for
thought.
6. REFERENCES
Ita, E.O.;Sado, E.K.; Balogun, J.K.;Pandogari, A; & Ibitoye.
B. (1985) Inventory survey of Nigerian inland waters
and their fishery resources I A preliminary checklist of
inland water bodies in Nigeria with special reference to
ponds, lakes, reservoirs and major rivers. Kainji Lake
Research Institute Technical Repon Series. No. 14.
KLRI, New Bussa 51p.
Mdaihli, M and Du Feu, 'I'. (1994) Small scale commercial
cage fish farming in Lake Kainji Area Nigeria - a
possible approach to Fisheries Development in Lake
Kainji? A GTZ Publication.
Otubusin, S.O. (1983). Modern aquaculture practices for
increased fish production in Nigeria. Proceedings of the
3rd Annual Conf of the Fisheries S'ociely of Nigeria
(FISOIV), Maiduguri. 22nd - 25th Feb', 1993 pp. 89-104.
Otubusin, S.O. (1987) The effect of different levels of blood
meal in pelleted feeds on tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus)
production in floating bamboo net-cages. Aquaculture
65:263-266.
Otubusin, S.O. (1989) Fish culture in cages, pens and
enclosures: A possibility of meeting the fish demand in
Nigeria. In: (1989) FISON Conference Proceedings.
A.D. Onyia and G.N. Asala (eds.) pp. 9-15.
184
Otubusin, S.O. (1990) The versatility of Fish Cage, Pen and
Enclosure for use by rural communities: A CALL FOR
ACTION! Proeed. of the 8th Annual Conf. of F1SON
-
Akure, Ondo State. 5th-9th Nov. 1990.
Otubusin,S.O. (1992) Fish Culture Studies in floating cages in
Lake Kainji, Niger State, Nigeria. Ph.D. Dissertation,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. 411p.
Otubusin, S.O. (1993') Commercial cage fish farming in
Nigeria: 'rHE WAY FORWARD. Presented at the
Internal Seminar of NIFFR, New-Bussa. 27
October,(1993) 9p.
Otubusin, S.O. (1993k) A proposal on small-scale commercial
fish farming in Lake Kainji Area Nigeria submitted to
the Nigerian German (GZ) Kainji Lake Fisheries
Promotion Project, New Bussa, Nigeria.
Otubusin, S.O. and Olatunde, A.A. (1992) Utilization of
wastewaters in fish production:Preliminary results from
fish culture studies in floating cages in a sewage pond,
New-Bussa Nigeria. Proceed, of the 10th Anil. Conf. of
FISON, Abeokuta, Ogun State. 16th-20th Nov., 1992.
p. 39-46.
Otubusin, S.0; Ayanda, 1.0.; Opeloyc, G.O. and Asekome,
I.G. (1991) Economic feasibility of cage fish farming.
In: Proceed, of the 4th Annual Setninar of the
Committee of Directors of Research Institutes (CODR1).
J. O. Tobor and B.I.O. Ezenwa (eds) Nigerian Institute
for Ocean. and Marine Research, Lagos 10th December,
(1991) pp. 71-84.


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

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

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