Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 32(3): 2011; 226 - 229

ARTICLE Fish Production In Nigeria: An Update GREMA, H.A., GEIDAM* Y.A., EGWU, G.O.

Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State * Correspondence: Tel.: +234 8036568615; [email protected]

Previous study had confirmed that land, water, SUMMARY labour and capital are the most essential In recent times, veterinarians and animal scientists have resources in that order (Kudi et al., 2008). In contributed to the development of techniques to increase the spite of availability of these resources, fish sources of animal protein in order to supplement existing farmers identified lack of finance, lack of good sources of protein. Fish is an important source of protein and market, pest and diseases as other important provides about 40% of the dietary intake of animal protein. issues in fish production (Agbebi et al., 2006; With the need for self reliance at both national and grass-root Ndu, 2006). Another problem faced by fish level, fish production offers a good potential if properly farmers is the processing and preservation needs adopted. Additionally, increase in small scale of fish. Davies and Davies, 2009 reported projects in towns and villages will create employment and different methods of preservation such as drying, alleviate poverty. Fish production involves controlling culture smoking, chilling and brining, but the most environment and rearing of fish in captivity; to enhance prominent method of fish preservation in Nigeria production and prevent diseases and predators as well as good is smoke-drying (Akinola et al., 2006). husbandry management practices. However, the main factors affecting aquaculture in Nigeria include extreme climatic According to Momoh (2009), several Nigerian conditions, flood, water pollution, ignorance and lack of government parastatals planned to collaborate adequate technology, lack of loans and grants, fish diseases to establish industries for canning and further and problems of preservation. Despite all these challenges, processing of excess fish produced, particularly fish production has the potential to expand the national tilapia which easily multiply in large numbers resource base, generate foreign exchange and elevate the and grow rapidly. socio-economic status of fish farmers. Aquaculture alone has the potential to supply the KEYWORDS: Fish production, Poverty alleviation, Fish Health national requirement for fish and produce Management, Nigeria excesses for export generation and foreign exchange. Therefore, concerted effort is needed to be able to explore the potentials of INTRODUCTION aquaculture for the purpose of food security otherwise known as fish culture is a programme and poverty alleviation. branch of aquaculture which involves the domestication and rearing of different types of GENERAL BACKGROUND OF NIGERIAN fish. This practice allows feeding, breeding, growing and harvesting of fish in a well planned Nigeria, with a population of about 140 million manner. A wide range of fish farming does exist (National Population Commission, 2006) is a including growing of fish in earthen ponds, multi-ethnic country has a land area of 923,768km2 with a continental shelf area of 47, concrete tanks, cages, pens, or run-ways (Swift, 2 1993). Several methods of successful production 934km and a length of 853km (FAO, 1995). It of fish is practiced but the popular and simple also has a vast network of inland waters like technique is the earthen pond, which is the basic rivers, flood plains, natural and man-made lakes unit of fish farming worldwide and it is and reservoirs (FAO, 1995, Kudi, et al., 2008). dependent on natural production of fish feed However, the entire production of the rivers and (Plumb,1999). lakes is hovering between 500,000 to 700,000 metric tons of fish per annum but Nigeria needs a minimum of million metric tons of fish to feed a

226 Nigerian Veterinary Journal 32(3) 2011 population of over 140 million (Momoh, 2009; valine and arginine. It is therefore suitable Dauda, 2010). for supplementing diets high in carbohydrates content. Nigeria is the largest single consumer of fish and - It contains both Omega- 3 polysaturated in the African region with a fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, demand estimate of 1.4 million metric tons. It which are important in lowering blood currently imports 0.7 million tons of frozen fish cholesterol level and high blood pressure. annually making Nigeria the highest importer of - It reduces the risks of sudden death from frozen fish in the world with annual foreign heart attack and age related muscular exchange drain of N35 billion (Dauda, 2010). degeneration and vision impairment. The demand supply gap of at least 0.7 million metric tons exist nationally with import making Fish production from aquaculture accounted for up the short fall at a cost of almost 0.5 billion US only about 20,000 metric tons in the year 1994 dollars per year (Kudi et al., 2008). According to whereas reaching 96,000 metric tons in the year Adekoya and Miller (2005) domestic fish 2000 (Davies et al., 2008). It is therefore obvious production of about 500,000 metric tons is that aquaculture has the potential to expand the supplied by 85% of artisan fish-folk. Despite resource base and reduce the pressure on these considerably high potentials, local fish conventional sources of fish, generate production has failed to meet the national employment, foreign exchange and elevate demand (FAO, 1995). The imminent challenge socio-economy of the farmers (Davies et al., therefore, is to bridge the wide gap between fish 2008). demand and supply by encouraging farmers to learn the simple techniques of fish production. CONCEPT OF FISH FARMING Fish farming is an aspect of aquaculture ROLE OF FISHERIES IN NATIONAL involving all activities associated with the ECONOMY scientific and organized rearing and cultivation According, to Kudi et al.(2008), fisheries occupy of fish. It is a form of controlling of the a unique position in the agricultural sector of the environment or intervention in the rearing Nigerian economy. In terms of gross domestic process to enhance production such as regular product (GDP), the sub-sector has stocking, feeding, protection from diseases and recorded the fastest growth rate in agriculture to predators as well as good husbandry practices the GDP (CBN Report, 2005). The contribution (Enabulele, 2009). Generally, there are wide of the fishery sub-sector to GDP as at 2001 variations of husbandry techniques, not only current factor cost rose from N76.76 billion to from country to country but also between levels N162.61 billion in 2005 (CBN Report, 2005). of development and technical sophistication. Fish and fish products constitute more than 40% Apart from earthen ponds, concrete lined ponds of total protein intake in adults especially in the are also used by farmers (Ndu, 2006), the rural areas (Adekoya and Miller, 2005). Apart disadvantage of which includes constant feeding from its richness in vitamins, it also contains of the fish by farmers. However, netting some quantities of calcium, phosphorus, fats and enclosure is a combination of pond and cage other nutrient needed for human growth and cultures where natural food production can health. Therefore, it is believed that fish is more occur (Plumb, 1999). nutritious than meat (Dauda, 2010). Similarly, Amiengheme (2005) also enumerated the Depending on the stocking density, single importance of fish in human nutrition above species of fish can be reared in a pond or other animal protein. These include: multiple species of fish may grow in the same - Fish is a good source of thiamine as well as pond (Swift, 1993). In the integrated system of extremely rich source of vitamins (A, D and fish production, fish farming is usually E), vitamins B complex and minerals combined with either poultry or animal (calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine and husbandry where the excrement fertilizes fish selenium). ponds and stimulates food production (Ayinla et - Fish is also a good source of sulphur and al., 1989). The principal fish species stocked in essential amino acids such as lysine, leucine, Nigeria are Catfish: Clarias gariepinus

227 Grema et al: Update of fish production In Nigeria

(Oresegun et al., 2007); Carp: Cyprinus carpio, meteorological conditions (Agbabi and Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Gymnarchus niloticus Fagbenro, 2006). These factors include and Tilapias: Oreochromis niloticus and Heterotis excessive rainfall and flooding, water niloticus (Anetekhai et al., 2004). pollution, oil spillage, excessive heat and drought (Moyle et al., 1990; Enabulele PROSPECT OF FISH FARMING 1999; Plumb, 1999). Other socio-cultural The fish industry remains the most unexplored constraints include theft, pilferage and investment sector in Nigeria compared with the fraud. These factors may be external (from importation of frozen fish in the domestic market individuals) or internal (from employees) (Kudi et al., 2008). A sure means of substantially (Odoye et al., 2005). solving the demand-supply gap is by embarking - Financial Factors: These are due to on widespread small scale fish production. The unstable government financial policies. Fish potential of fish farming in developing countries farmers require repeated loans, in addition is great, as it offers economical source of protein to loans for capital investment and start-up rich food. According to UN survey, the fish operational cost. Short term loans are meant production from aquaculture in 1985 stood at 10 for annual supplies of seed, feed, new million tons close behind beef, pork and poultry equipment and expansion (Odoye et al., (FAO, 1995). Comparatively, fish do not use 2005) much energy to maintain body heat or for - D i s e a s e F a c t o r s : F i s h b e i n g a locomotion and have a food to flesh conversion poikilothermic animal tend to react quickly rate of 1.5 to 1.0 as against beef's 7.0 to 1.0 and to environmental changes and this increases chicken's 2.3 to 1.0 (Nazri, 1991). susceptibility of fish to infectious agent due to compromised immune response (Plumb, The potential of has gone beyond mere 1999). Myole (1990) also stated that practice of aquaculture; it is now a tool for stressed fish are more susceptible to diseases promoting tourism. fishing festival is and parasites than fish which are held under becoming an international festival incorporated optimum condition. Ahmed and Ambali with boat racing, hotel business, car racing etc. (2005) reported that parasitic infections But the climax of the festival is the grand fishing were found to be a common feature in fish where people win prizes for catching the biggest population with nematode being fish (Momoh, 2009). With regular public significantly prominent. enlightenment, more people will engage in fish - Physical Factors: Lack of adequate production as a source of income and tourism, technology or technical information and employment and high quality protein. The expertise as regards hatchery, propagation establishment of suitable extension services with and husbandry management affect fish qualified staff, exchange of information and production. Fish farmers should be provided personnel between countries, and an expanded w i t h e f f e c t i v e m a c h i n e r y a n d system of collection and dissemination of comprehensive information on the information are all good for aquaculture availability of tools that will enhance development in Africa (FAO, 1995). productivity of fish in Nigeria. Processing and preservation of fish are of utmost PROBLEMS OF FISH FARMING importance since it deteriorates immediately Unlike other developed countries, Africa has after harvesting. Therefore, processing of little aquaculture traditions and has been fish after capture using high quality affected by a number of external problems that machines and preservation is imperative to have prevented proper management and prevent serious economic losses (Davies and development, despite investment by the Davies, 2009). government. The main constraints facing the - Business Factors: Fish farmers also face activity in Nigeria are:- market and consumer related risks. Such - Environmental Factors: Environmental risks are due to loss of quality products, lack factors are mainly physical forces of nature of market information, and health that arises due to extreme climatic and regulations.

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CONCLUSION Statement of Accounts. Central Bank of Nigeria In conclusion, it is obvious that has (CBN) publishers, Abuja. 36 -38 DAUDA, O. (2010):The Nation Newspaper. Agriculture: the potential of expanding the resource base and rd Lagos - UNILAG Partner on Fish Production. 23 April reduce pressure on fish exploitation. If practiced 2010. 35. properly, it will generate foreign exchange and DAVIES, R. M.; DAVIES, O. A.; INKO-TARIAH, M. B. and elevate the socio-economy of the farmers. BEKIBELE, D. O. (2008): The Mechanization of Fish Therefore, involvement of farmers in small scale Farms in Rivers state, Nigeria. World Applied Sciences aquaculture projects will create employment, Journal. 3(6): 926-29. DAVIES, R. M. and DAVIES O. A. (2009): Traditional and alleviate poverty and improve nutritional status Improved Technologies in Bayelsa of the population. State, Nigeria. European Journal of Scientific Research 26(4): 539 -48. RECOMMENDATION ENABULELE, H. N. (1999): Power Point seminar Government should encourage farmers presentation: Impact Assessment of the Agriculture economically by evolving ways such as grants, Development Projects (ADPs) on Fish Farming in Nigeria. Department of Agribusiness and Consumer government insurance, leasing of facilities and Science, College of Food Systems, United Arab compensation schemes. Loans and subsidies for Emirate University. construction and equipment supplies should be KUDI, T. M.; BAKO F. P. and ATALA, T. K. (2008): Economics made available to farmers. Research institutes of Fish Production in Kaduna State. Asian Research and universities should conduct industry- Publishing Network (ARPN). Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science. 3(5-6): 17-21. targeted research towards solving problems and FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATION (1995): extending solution to the fish- farmers through ADCP/RFP/75/1, Aquaculture Development in Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) and Africa. Report of the First Regional Workshop on extension services. Vi t a l i n f o r m a t i o n o n Aquaculture Planning in Africa, Accra, Ghana. In improved techniques and machineries for fish collaboration with FAO of the United Nations and United Nations Development Programme production, processing and preservation should nd MOMMOH A. (2009): Interview with Dr. Aminu Raji on 2 also be disseminated to farmers (particularly August 2009. Published in Sunday Trust News Paper. rural farmers) to boost the production level and Nigeria Pp 28-29 tackle problems associated with fish production. MOYLE, P. B. (1990): Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biology University of California - Davis. American REFERENCES Fisheries Society. 20: 633. NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISSION (2006): Human ADEKOYA, B.B. and MILLER, J. W. (2004): Fish Cage Population Figures of Census in Nigeria. Africa Culture Potential in Nigeria: An overview. 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