NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE CODE:-BIO 220 COURSE TITLE:-FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE BIO 220 COURSE GUIDE COURSE GUIDE BIO 220 FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE Course Writers/Developers Dr. A.A. Alarape and Sololu A.O. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries University of Ibadan Ibadan, Nigeria Programme Leader Professor A. Adebanjo National Open University of Nigeria Course Coordinator Dr. N.E. Mundi National Open University of Nigeria NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA ii BIO 220 COURSE GUIDE National Open University of Nigeria Headquarters 14/16 Ahmadu Bello Way Victoria Island Lagos Abuja office No. 5 Dar es Salaam Street Off Aminu Kano Crescent Wuse II, Abuja Nigeria e-mail: [email protected] URL: www.nou.edu.ng Published by National Open University of Nigeria Printed 2009 ISBN: 978-058-055-7 All Rights Reserved iii BIO 220 COURSE GUIDE CONTENTS PAGE Introduction…………………………………….……….……. 1 The Course…………………………………………………….. 1 Course Aims…………………………………………………… 1 Course Objectives……………………………………………… 2 Working through this Course…………………...……………… 3 Course Materials……………………………….……………….. 3 Study Units………………………………….………………….. 4 Textbooks and References……………………..………………. 5 Assessment…………...………………………………………… 5 Tutor-Marked Assignment …………………………………….. 5 Final Examination and Grading…………….………………….. 6 Course Overview………………………….……………………. 6 How to Get the Most of this Course ……………………………. 7 Facilitators/Tutors and Tutorials………………………………… 9 Summary ………………………………………………………… 9 iv Introduction Aquaculture has been identified as the panacea to the increasing demand for food fish all over the world. The case about Nigeria is not different in terms of the aquaculture industry leading to proliferation of fish farms across the country which is mostly self-subsistence with few having hatchery facilities. The wildlife aspect gives short descriptions of some of our most important wild animal species which include mammals, birds, and reptiles. The content of this course shall guide the students as well as practicing fish farmers, aquaculturists and wildlife professionals in having better understanding of their business and profession. The Course This course Guide tells you briefly what to expect from reading this material which bothers on fisheries and wildlife management. The study of fishery resources and its management is of immense benefit to a nation’s economy which is environmentally related. However, the growth of aquaculture as a practical way of fish farming in Nigeria is faced with myriads of problems slowing down its pace thereby given great concern to aquaculturists. The importance of fish identification can not be overemphasised in the study of fish and for taxonomic purposes. The rudiment of basic anatomy is essential for accurately identifying fish in the field. The majority of species are readily identifiable through mouth orientation, finnage and coloration, all these and many other features used in identifying fish are discussed in this module. As part of problems facing aquaculture, many new hatcheries are springing up most especially around the south-western part of Nigeria towards bridging the gap between fish seed availability and fish farmers need for stocking their ponds. This course guide shall explain further on this aspect and also discuss in detail the right approach to fish farm planning and design. The best approach in feed formulation is to use high-quality feedstuffs to manufacture a diet that meets the nutritional and energy requirements of the aquaculture species in question. If a portion or all of the fishmeal in a diet can be replaced successfully BIO 220 FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE with other high-quality protein sources, doing so will contribute greatly towards protecting the surrounding environment and promoting a sustainable aquaculture industry. Within commercial fish farming operations it is also of importance that feed producers are able to deliver a high and consistent pellet quality. Good water quality management is a pivot upon which a successful aquaculture programme rests. Regardless of the approach to the culture system adopted, ammonia, dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrite, pH, and alkalinity are major water quality parameters that should be measured on a daily basis. Poor water quality can cause massive fish kills. It is often a major factor contributing to fish disease and parasite infection. Water quality does not remain constant. Diseases occur despite the best preventive efforts. Detecting the diseases as soon as possible is vital. The best way to detect diseases at their onset is by watching the fish feed. After a successful fish production cycle, harvesting is another tasking exercise which is carried out in order to get the fish ready for sales. There are lots of principles of economics at work in the market analysis of fish and fish products such as demand and supply forces which have effects on the overall success of the activity. Relevance of fish processing and post harvest activity to the aquaculture industry is also elaborated. In the wildlife section, various wildlife species are discussed and their economic values enumerated. They are grouped into a number of orders. All the members of an order have a number of characteristic features common to them (with which they are grouped into families). Within each family there are many species and in the case of the large mammals each species has a familiar name. Three well-known species in the order Carnivora (Carnivores) are the Lion (Panthera leo), the Leopard (Panthera pardus) and the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). Three well-known members of the order Rodentia are the grass-cutter (Thryonomys swinderianus), the giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus) and the Gambian sun squirrel (Heliosciurus gambianus). Animals of each species breed together and produce young ones like themselves. Mating between two different species (Cross-breeding) seldom happens in nature. Course Aims ii BIO 220 FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE This course aims at providing basic understanding about fish. Capture fisheries and aquaculture are linked and are both contributing immensely to the supply of food fish as a cheap source of protein in human diet and fishery products for industrial usage. Production and management of fish and wildlife are concisely explained. Course Objectives In addition to the aims above, this course set to achieve some objectives. After going through this course, you should be able to: • Understand the major constraints to the realisation of maximum utilisation of fishery resources to meet increasing demand for fish as well as wildlife management. • Identify common fish species using basic structures and classify wildlife species into their respective families and orders. • Know different kinds of aquatic environment viz: freshwater, brackish water and marine water, and their relevance to fish and wildlife ecology. • Understand practical ways of ensuring sustainable fish production in Nigeria. • Link water quality management in aquaculture with types of feed used and feeding practices. • Understand the importance of wildlife management and conservation to a nation’s economy. • Identify common wildlife species in Nigeria using their common features. • Understand the biology of different types of wildlife species in relation to their habitat. Working through the Course A great effort was put into developing this course thereby enriching it with a lot of useful information. This accounts for why you would find it an irresistible companion both in this class and for field purposes. However, it requires that concerted effort is made in reading through this material for appreciating the effort in a commensurable manner so you would be required to spend a lot of time to read it. You are also encouraged to work through and practice all assignments contained in this material. Course Materials You will be provided with the following materials iii BIO 220 FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE Course guide and study units. In addition, the course comes with a list of recommended textbooks which though are not compulsory for you to acquire or indeed read, are necessary as supplements to the course material. Study Units The following table presents the study units contained in this course which is expected to be covered in 12 weeks: Module 1 Unit 1 Present Status of Fisheries in Nigeria Unit 2 Morphology and Basic Structure of Fishes Unit 3 Morphology and Basic Structure of Fishes Unit 4 Adaptation of Organisms to Aquatic Life and Evolution Unit 5 Fundamental Principles of Fish Production and Management Module 2 Unit 1 Ways of Ensuring Sustainable Fish Production in Nigeria Unit 2 Fishery Biodiversity Conservation Unit 3 Water Quality Management in Aquaculture Unit 4 Understanding Fish Nutrition, Feeds and Feeding Unit 5 Fish Diseases and Management Module 3 Unit 1 Post Harvest Handling of Fish and Marketing Unit 2 General Knowledge and Fisheries Management Unit 3 Wildlife Management in Nigeria Unit 4 Principles of Wildlife Management Unit 5 Orders of Nigerian Mammals Module 4 Unit 1 Order Rodentia Unit 2 Order Carnivora and Perissodactyla Unit 3 Order Artiodactyla Unit 4 Primates and Proboscidea Unit 5 Insectivora, Chiroptera, Pholidota, Lagomorpha, Reptiles and Birds iv BIO 220 FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE Textbooks and References More recent editions of these books are recommended for further reading. Ajayi, S. S. and Milligan, K. R. N. (1975). The Wildlife of Nigeria: A Guide to Yankari and Borgu Game Reserves. Department of Forest Resources Management, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.