STATUS OF AQUACULTURE MANAGEMENT OF TWO GOVERNMENT FISH FARMS IN KADUNA AND KATSINA STATES, NIGERIA.

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Date
1998-04
Authors
ECHOR, FELIX OKALIWE
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Abstract
Studies on the status of aquaculture management of two government fish farms at Mando and Maska in Kaduna and Katsina States of Nigeria respectively were carried out between May, 1996 and January, 1997. Physico-chemical parameters were examined to assess the water quality characteristics of the two farms. General survey was also conducted by questionnaires to reach 23 other Fish Farms randomly selected from the 41 and 26 identified fish culture operators in kaduna and Katsina stales. The result showed that out of the 41 identified fish ponds in Kaduna State, seventeen were commercial fish farms and twenty four homestead ponds, while eight commercial fish farms and eighteen homestead ponds were found in Katsina State. In Kaduna state, 5.9%, 17.6% and 53.1% of the fish farms were established between 1950 - 1959, 1980 - 1989 and 1930 - 1997 respectively. Similarly, a higher percentage of the fish farms (58.3%) in Kaduna and (60%) in Katsina were untrained in the field of fisheries. The relationship between physico-chemical parameters at Maska and Mando fish farms (with respect to season) were correlated. The analysis indicated positive correlation between alkalinity and hardness. Seechi disc transparency and dissolved oxygen, the (ANOVA ) conducted for these parameters also showed significant differences ( p < 0 . 0 5 ) between seasons and the two farms. While Mando fish farm appeared to have better mater quality characteristics to sustain fish culturing, some of the parameters especially the D.O. (1.3mg/1 ) and SDT (63.6 cm) at Maska Fish Farm were not within the acceptance limit to support fish growth. Although there were many enthusiastic fish farmers in Kaduna and Katsina States, lack of technical know-how, fish seed, fish feed and finance were responsible for the poor performance and high incidence of failures of aquaculture projects in the areas. Maska and Mando fish farms are potentially viable but lack of fund, infrastructure and fish inputs were hampering the effective management of the two farms. It is therefore recommended that the intending fish farmers engage the services of competent aquaculturists for advice before embarking on commercial fish farming. The two Federal Government Fish Farms at Mando and Maska should be reactivated and adequately funded to fulfill their primary objectives of "Fresh water fish farming and training, and Fish seeds multiplication centers
Description
BEING A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN FISHERIES DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA APRIL, 1998
Keywords
AQUACULTURE,, MANAGEMENT,, GOVERNMENT,, FISH FARMS,, KADUNA,, KATSINA STATES,, NIGERIA..
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