Frame survey and catch assessment of the fisheries of Gurara Dam, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Frame survey and catch assessment of the fisheries of Gurara Dam were conducted from March to September, 2016 to provide technical information for sustainable fish production. Fish caught by each fisher randomly sampled were identified and sorted according to species and the gear type used. Data were then recorded and analysed with descriptive statistics. A total of 33 fishers, eight assistants, 85 wooden canoes, 20 motorised wooden canoes and four gourds were identified. 11 fish species belonging to seven families were also identified. The family Cichlidae dominated the catch contributing 91.8% to the number and 89.4% to the weight of the total fish caught while Cyprinidae was the least. The current fish yield estimate of Gurara dam is 42.84 tonnes. This represents 6.7kg/ha and considered very low. Majority of the fish caught were small and a large number of fishers were operating on the dam. Effective management strategies were recommended.