Fish culture technologies in South-eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Aquaculture has become an important sector in Nigerian economy and is considered a means of 
bridging the gap between the supply and demand for fish since the wild stock is fast declining. The 
study was carried out to assess the status, structure, operation and management options of fish 
culture systems in three zones of South-east Nigeria and to determine the impact on the economy of 
the region. Results shows that the number of operational fish ponds in the region was estimated to be 
346 consisting of 205 extensive, 105 semi-intensive and 36 intensive fish farms with majority of 
culturist operating at subsistence level. Common fish cultured were Clarias gariepinus, 
Heterobranchus longifilis, Heteroclarias, Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias anguillaris and Hemichromis 
fasciatus. O. niloticus was most common in all zones accounting for 91.6% while Heteroclarias 
culture was practiced only in Zone C. Earthen ponds were most common in Zone A and accounted for 
40.9% while majority of farms (33.3%) in Zone C raised their fish in concrete ponds. More farms in 
Zone C adopted flow through system constituting 51.9% while stagnant ponds accounted for 74.2 and 
56.8% of ponds in Zones A and B, respectively. Most common culture systems in the three zones 
were polycultured. Rainfall was major source of water in Zone A (71.0%) while rivers/streams were the 
common sources for culturist in Zones B (52.3%) and C (53.3%). However, well water and borehole 
take the lead as sources of water during the dry season. Males were the dominant sex among 
culturists and majority, were of ages between 40 and 70 years. Secondary school education was the 
least among culturists and fish farm activity was predominantly part-time (61.8%). Low income 
farmers were dominant in Zone A (79.0%) while majority of farmers (85.7%) in Zone C were high 
income. Personal savings was the most important source of financing farm operation among fish 
producers in Zone A (63.8%) while Bank loan was the common (56.3%) source of finance in Zone C. 
Therefore, to encourage new entrants especially the unemployed in the rural communities to start the 
enterprise, urgent steps must be taken to make credit facility available.