Fish is a perishable commodity whose quality must be maintained along the production and supply chain. The study aimed at assessing post-harvest fish losses among artisanal fishers in Northeast Nigeria. A multistage random sampling procedure was adopted to select 227 respondents. Quantitative data were collected with the use of close-ended questionnaires. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics and a multiple linear regression model. The results of the study revealed that the majority of the fishers were uneducated married men, with mean age and fishing experience of 46 and 8 years respectively. On average, 23.15% of fish caught are lost daily at post-harvest which could be attributed to the non-availability of infrastructural facilities, low literacy level, and management problems. Furthermore, results from multiple linear regression show that age, educational qualification, fishing experience, packaging materials, the time frame of fishing activities, and days of fishing in a week were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) with post-harvest fish losses. Conclusively, to improve the livelihood, ensure food security, and reduce the cost incurred by the Nigerian government on food importation post-harvest losses should be averted through policy formulation geared towards reducing post-harvest losses, provision of infrastructural facilities, training, and retraining of fishers.

This study examined the length-weight relation and condition factor of Sarotherodon galilaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Nguru-Gashua wetlands, Northeast, Nigeria. A total of 375 specimens were purchased from local fishermen at the designated landing sites for six months. Results of morphometric characteristics showed that the body weight of male S. galilaeus ranged from 127-770 g (601.7±28.01) and females ranged from 272 – 704 g (711.3±38.12). Meristic features show that spinous anal fin rays were constant in both sexes while soft dorsal fin rays, pectoral fin rays, soft anal fin rays and spinous dorsal fin rays had the same range for both sexes. The sex ratio (1:2.18) observed in this study tends to favour male species but contrasts with the general assumption of a sex ratio of 1:1. Mean coefficient of determination was 0.89±0.07 and 0.87±0.07 for male and female S. galilaeus respectively indicating that length-weight relationship model is very reliable. This implies that the change in weight of the sampled fish was caused by 88.52% and 86.68% change in length of male and female S. galilaeus respectively.  It was further revealed that both sexes (b = 2.86±0.18 and 2.88±0.35) had negative allometric growth patterns. The wetland's environmental conditions were within a tolerable range for cichlids.

Length-weight relationship and condition factor of Synodontics omias (Cuvier, 1816) was studied between June to November 2020 in River Komadougou, Northeast, Nigeria. A total of 350 fish species were collected from artisanal fishermen at selected landing sites within the study area. The morphometric and meristic characteristics examined varies whereas some meristic features such as pelvic and dorsal fin spine had a constant value of 1 each. The mean condition factor shows no significant difference (P 0.05) throughout the sampling period. A linear relationship was established W = -0.82L1.91 and significant at P 0.01 with b value indicating a negative allometric growth pattern.  The correlation coefficient (r2 = 0.7904) indicated that LWR model is reliable. This study provides baselines on length-weight relationship and condition factor of Synodontics omias in River Komadougou, thus further research should be encouraged on the water body for sustainable utilization, decision making and policy formulation.

This study examined the length-weight relationship and condition factor of Hydrocynus forskahlii (Cuvier, 1819) in River Yobe, Northeast, Nigeria. A total of 350 fish species were collected from commercial fishermen at four landing sites (Gogaram, Dogona, Bize, Azbak) within the study area between June to November 2020. The morphometric and meristic characteristics examined could be attributed   to environmental variations (water temperature, stress, food availability, spawning ground, fishing intensity and sex). Monthly mean condition factor (1.19 ± 1.03) shows significant difference (P 0.05) during the sampling duration while highest mean condition factor was recorded in October (1.38 ± 1.15). Also change in weight of the sampled fish was caused by 77.4% change in length. A linear relationship was established with b value (1.2656) indicating a negative allometric growth pattern while correlation coefficient (r2 = 0.7775) indicated that LWR model is reliable. This study bridged literature gap on LWR and condition factor of Hydrocynus forskahlii in River Yobe, hence further research should be encouraged on the water body for sustainable utilization, decision making and policy formulation.