Assessment of Gerio Lake Fishery for Enhanced Management and Improved Fish Production

摘要

The highlights of the Fisheries Assessment Survey conducted on Gerio Lake, Yola in AdamawaState, North-eastern Nigeria in February, 2005 is presented in this paper. There were 22 fish species found infishermen’s landings during the survey period. About 30 fishermen were found using undersized nets to catch thejuveniles of these species. Fishing pressure was found to be very high. For an optimum catch, about 10 fishermenought to have engaged in full time fishing activities if, the fisheries of the lake is to be managed on a sustainablebasis. However, a surplus of over 80 fishermen was recorded actively fishing during the period of the assessment. Allthese have a depleting effect on the abundance and sizes of fish harvested from the lake. A community based fisheriesmanagement system, which establishes a participatory involvement of fishermen in the conservation and rationalexploitation of fisheries resources for the well being of the stakeholders is recommended for the Lake.