Status of fish farming in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study surveyed the status of fish farming in Rivers State of Nigeria structured interview schedule questionnaires were used in sourcing information from 90 fish farmers randomly selected from nine local government area, with three local government each drawn from each agricultural zone of the state. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that majority (34.4%) of the fish farmers were male and between the age range of 41-50 years. About 31.1% of fish farmers cultured their fish in concrete fish tanks. The total mean annual production of fishes were 41,000 mt, 38.9% of fish farmers practiced integrated fish farming, 72.2% of the framers practice only fish production. About 58.9% of farmers sourced their information from friends/fellow farmers. In terms of water supply, 40.0% of farmers sourced their water supply from borehole, 36.6% use Tilapia species as their fingerlings, 38.9% of farmers sourced their fingerlings from government hatchery 15.2% of farmers indicated that they suffer loss of Tilapia, 54.4% farmers use partial harvest, 92.6% of farmers indicated irregular electricity supply as a major constraints to fish production. In order to facilitate the efficient operation of fish farming in the study area technical advice on pond construction and preparation, species selection and supply for stocking purposes and collection of relevant data on aquaculture will help in the improvement of fish farming in the study area.