ABSTRACT
This study focused on aspects of the structure and sustainability of the fisheries in the Cross River estuary with a view to addressing the unsustainable fishing activities in the Cross River estuary. The physicochemical characteristics of water were analyzed in order to determine the quality of water and health status of fishes in the study area. These included surface temperature, pH, DO, turbidity, salinity, alkalinity, phosphate and nitrates. The catch rates and catch composition of the multispecies gillnet fishery in the estuary, exploitation rates, sizes of fishes and socioeconomic factors were also investigated in order to determine their vulnerability to human and environmental factors. The water quality of the area showed a significant variation in turbidity at the locations of study, 52.2 NTU at Esuk Anansa, 30.3 NTU at Esuk Okon, and 21.8 NTU at Esuk Anantigha, with a range of 21.8 - 52.2. However, the general water quality was within the tolerable limit of fish during the study period. The mean weight of monthly catches sampled averaged 21.2 kg (range 15.3 kg to 27.0 kg).The mean CPUE was 7.1 kg/boat/trip. The catch composition revealed that Pseudotolithus elongatus accounted for 56.69%, by weight, Ethmalosa fimbriata was 30.28% by weight, while Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus was 7.53% by weight. The results of the study showed that these species are being threatened as a result of unsustainable fishing methods leading to harvesting of small fishes mostly between 10 and 15cm of length. The socioeconomic status of artisanal fishermen, traders and mangrove loggers in the estuary was determined with the view of updating knowledge on the socioeconomic indices, fishing gears, prime catches of the fishes in the area, in order to suggest management measures for the fishery and ecosystem of the area. The study recommends the introduction of community-based coastal resource management approach for the sustainability of the fisheries and the ecosystem of the area.
ANTIGHA, A (2021). Aspects Of The Structure And Sustainability Of The Fisheries In The Cross River Estuary Of Nigeria-The Role Of Community-Based Management. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/aspects-of-the-structure-and-sustainability-of-the-fisheries-in-the-cross-river-estuary-of-nigeria-the-role-of-community-based-management
ANTIGHA, AMBO "Aspects Of The Structure And Sustainability Of The Fisheries In The Cross River Estuary Of Nigeria-The Role Of Community-Based Management" Afribary. Afribary, 19 Apr. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/aspects-of-the-structure-and-sustainability-of-the-fisheries-in-the-cross-river-estuary-of-nigeria-the-role-of-community-based-management. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
ANTIGHA, AMBO . "Aspects Of The Structure And Sustainability Of The Fisheries In The Cross River Estuary Of Nigeria-The Role Of Community-Based Management". Afribary, Afribary, 19 Apr. 2021. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/aspects-of-the-structure-and-sustainability-of-the-fisheries-in-the-cross-river-estuary-of-nigeria-the-role-of-community-based-management >.
ANTIGHA, AMBO . "Aspects Of The Structure And Sustainability Of The Fisheries In The Cross River Estuary Of Nigeria-The Role Of Community-Based Management" Afribary (2021). Accessed December 22, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/aspects-of-the-structure-and-sustainability-of-the-fisheries-in-the-cross-river-estuary-of-nigeria-the-role-of-community-based-management