Biodiversity and Abundance of Fish and Some Processing Methods in Lower Niger River Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria
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Keywords

Lower Niger River
Fish diversity
Abundance
Processing methods
Species composition

Abstract

The fish and fisheries of the Lower Niger River at Idah in Kogi State were surveyed from November 2014 to June 2015. Fish samples for species composition, diversity and abundance were obtained from the commercial fishers using various fishing gears of different sizes. Structured questionnaires were also administered to the fishers to get other fisheries information such as, number of fishers, type of fishing gears and crafts used, methods of fish storage, processing and preservation. A total of 75 fishers with 86 fishing boats and 115 fishing assistants were recorded during the survey.Forty-two (42) species of fish belonging to 18 families were also recorded. Traditional fishing gears such as gill nets (12.7%), cast nets (34.5%), long-lines (28.4%), drag nets (14.2%) and fish traps (10.2%) were used by fishers for fishing operation. The dominant fish species is Hyperopterusbebewhich contributed 10.61% by number and 16.51% by weight to the total catch during the sampling period. Also, in terms of species diversity, the family Mormyridae had the highest (18.29%) with seven species including Hyperopterusbebe. The CPUE during the sampling was 5.3 kg per boat per day, indicating the lake is very productive and good for the fisheries development if it is properly managed. Most fishers sold their catches fresh, but few of them processed and preserved their catches by smoking and sun- drying and then kept in baskets for storage. Fish farming should be introduced and encouraged along the river bank by the Kogi State Government. This will reduce the pressure on the fish exploitation of this river; thereby generate employment, increase fish production and availability in the State.

 

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