Aquaculture and Fisheries Management Principles

Basic Principles of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management

• Aquatic animals depend directly or indirectly on plants for food, making it crucial to know the trophic level of the fish.
• Plant production is dependent on factors like solar radiation, temperature, oxygen, and nutrient availability.
• Natural fertility of water is closely tied to the fertility of its associated soil and its sources.
• Soils contain basic nutrients that aid vegetative production.
• Water fertility can be increased by adding inorganic or organic fertilizers.
• Phytoplankton is the primary and principal food production group of plants for organic aquatic animal production in oceans, lakes, and ponds.
• The carrying capacity per unit area differs for different species of fish depending on the trophic level of the species.
• The greatest weight of any one species can be raised and produced in ponds by culturing only that species.
• The greatest weight per area of the species is obtained by culturing a combination of different species that differ in food and feeding habits.

Prospects of Aquaculture in Nigeria

• Nigeria has a high demand for fish, estimated at 1.06 million metric tonnes in 2007, but a supply of only 0.81 million metric tonnes, leaving a deficit of 0.25 million metric tonnes.
• The decrease in fish landing due to overpopulation indicates that fish stocks have approached or even exceeded maximum sustainable yield.
• Aquaculture remains the only viable alternative for increasing fish production to meet the protein needs of the population.
• Nigeria has an advantage of having land suitable for both freshwater, brackish, and marine fish species.
• There is a ready and stable market for fish in Nigeria.

Problems of Aquaculture in Nigeria

• Poor quality fish seed due to a lack of functional fish hatcheries and fish seed from poor genetic quality.
• High cost of fish feed, particularly fish meal, which is expensive and competed for by livestock farmers.
• Poaching, or theft, is a significant problem.
• Many fish farmers lack adequate capital to operate their farms profitably or expand them.
• Unstable government and defective government policies hinder the development of aquaculture.
• Faulty data collection and lack of adequate record keeping of aquaculture production in Nigeria.
• Lack of environmental impact consideration is a significant challenge.
• Marketing of aquaculture products is a major issue.