A Frame and Catch Assessment of Fishes of Lake Alau, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

A frame and catch assessment of fishes of lake Alau was carried out. The aim was to find out the number of fishing vessels, fisherfolks and fishing gears used on the Lake.The study was conducted from January to December, 2012 in six (6) landing sites. The data collected were analysed.using Descriptive statistics in Microsoft excel. The result shows that 379 fisherfolks, 254 canoes and 6 fishing gears were recorded in all the sampling sites. Catch per trip, per fisherfolk, per boat ranges from 1.0 kg to 12.5 kg among the landing sites. Nine fish families and fiftheen (15) fish species were also recorded. The family of cichlidae dominated the overal catch composition. The Lake is productive as indicated by catch per unit effort. Therefore the lake can be compared with other small but productive African lakes and reservoirs with future prospects.The monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) system was suggested for proper management consideration with emphasis on registration of fishermen and their fishing gears, emforcement of minimum mersh size of 3 inch.