FISHERIES POTENTIALS OF CHALLAWA DAM, KANO STATE, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56892/bima.v2i01.82Keywords:
fish potential yield morpho-edaphic index, conductivity, mean depth, dam, Relative Yield IndexAbstract
Morpho-metrics and total nutrient input of Challawa dam, Kano State (Nigeria) were applied to
estimate the potential fish yield using morpho-edaphic index (MEI). Physico-chemical
parameters of the reservoir were sampled monthly from three stations for the period of six
months (March to August, 2017) using standard methods. Potential fish yield estimates of the
reservoir was determined using the values of the Physico-chemical characteristics of the
reservoir with the relationship Y=23.281 MEI 0.447, where Y is the potential fish yield in kg/ha,
MEI is Morphoedaphic index (given in μS/cm) which was obtained by dividing mean
conductivity of the reservoir by mean depth. The values of the mean conductivity and mean
depth were 92μS/cm and 3.8m respectfully, with the potential estimate being 96.84kg/ha. The
relative yield index (RYI) which is the ratio of estimated yield with angler harvest, was
determined using the relationship RYI= Yobs/Yest × 0.75, where Yest is estimated potential yield
in Kg/ha and Yobs is anglers harvest in Kg. The estimated yield (Yest) value obtained and anglers
harvest were 96.84kg/ha and 35.7kg respectfully, which implied that the relative yield index was
0.27and 27.6%. This result showed that, the reservoir‟s exploitation level was moderate.
Therefore effective management system, implementation of good fishing regulations and
practices should be implemented.
