Efficiency of different traps for silver catfish fishery and its aquaculture implications in the face of climate change

Abstract

Climate change has the potential to severely impact coastal and inland environments and ecosystems and by extension fisheries and aquaculture. Coastal regions of the world are already experiencing flooding due to rise in sea level. In recent times, salinization of coastal areas due to flooding from storm surges and high tidal influence has been observed. Aquaculture is a fast growing agri-business venture in Nigeria presently and many coastal communities derive their livelihood from it. The culture of fresh water fish species that are very sensitive to high salinity may be threatened leading to mortality of stocked fish and loss of livelihood for coastal population. Consequently, there is urgent need for development and domestication of the silver catfish Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus that can tolerate higher salinity more than mudcatfish (Clarias gariepinus). This will help mitigate the impact of salinization of coastal areas arising from sea water flooding on culture of fresh water fish species.