A Detailed Handbook on Fish Production

About the Book

Fisheries as it were can be broadly classified into two, namely capture and culture fisheries. The capture aspect was one of the earliest occupations of man in trying to subdue his environment. This involved setting a trap for fish in any water body without doing anything to improve or replenish the fish stock. It was assumed that the fish stock was inexhaustible, but this has since been proven wrong by the extinction of some fish species.

The development of highly sophisticated capture gears like set nets, trammel nets, spears, line traps, cast nets, and trawlers increased catch per unit effort, thus further depleting the fish stock in the wild. The need to protect young fish stocks and endangered species led to the introduction of control measures like: regulation of mesh sizes, protection of breeding grounds, declaration of closed areas and non-fishing seasons etc. Continuous regulation has helped the situation to some extent; however more still needs to be done.         

It was the need to maintain the fish stock while still making fresh fish readily available that led to the development of the culture aspect of fish fisheries otherwise known as aquaculture - which is the rearing of any aquatic flora (plant) and/or fauna (animal) in a controlled environment. It can be done within or outside the fish's natural environment, and it involves the simulation of the natural conditions of various fish species from birth to adulthood. A lot of study had to be done about the physiology, biology, nutrition, reproduction and ideal water condition of various species of fish to achieve this. Aquaculture has gone through a lot of developmental phases; researches have been conducted on a number of aquatic species like catfish, tilapia, salmon, goldfish and shrimps just to mention a few. The production of these species is now being done commercially worldwide.

This book therefore presents a concise and readable interplay between capture and culture fisheries with emphasis on the various processes involved in fish production for both subsistence and commercial purposes. The text, presented with relevant pictures, is intended to provide useful information to the different categories of individuals involved in fish production. Agricultural students in Colleges of Agriculture, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and Universities, researchers and fish farmers will find this book highly valuable. For detailed treatment of each topic and to ease the readers' understanding, the book is arranged into eight (8) distinct chapters. Each chapter ends with a number of study questions intended to help the reader evaluate the key lessons presented in the chapter. A glossary is also included to aid the understanding of those who are not familiar with fisheries terms as well as references for further reading.

It is believed that this book will not only make the readers become knowledgeable as far as fish production is concerned but also become informed investors in case they wish to engage it as a profitable business venture.