Morpho-mertistic analysis and the identity of the Moonfish, <i>Citharinus latus </i>(Pisces: Citharinidae) of Lake Oguta, Nigeria: Towards a restocking policy for a depleted inland fishery

Sustainable Artisanal Fisheries Practices in Nigeria

“…In Lake Chad Basin, overfishing was observed and reported by Stauch cited in Eyo and Ahmed [22] which the fishers resulted to using smaller mesh size nets which cropped the juveniles. A reduction from 220, 000 tons in 1974 to 31, 334 tons in 1985 was reported in Lake Chad Sagua, 1990; cited in Njoku & Ejiogu [23]. Competitive fishing in the Lake promotes the capture of Oceanography & Fisheries Open access Journal undersized fish.…”

“…Competitive fishing in the Lake promotes the capture of Oceanography & Fisheries Open access Journal undersized fish. Mesh size regulation exist theoretically but enforcement is almost impossible [23].…”

“…Recent observations shows that there are few large fish and most are rarely more than 2kg net weight at the various landing sites [23]. At the Lake, Overfishing is based on the use of nonselective nylon gill nets, seines, etc [23].…”

“…Recent observations shows that there are few large fish and most are rarely more than 2kg net weight at the various landing sites [23]. At the Lake, Overfishing is based on the use of nonselective nylon gill nets, seines, etc [23]. The rapid population rise around the Lake (7.4 million for all the riparian countries) [23] and the demand of fish all the countries makes fishers easily sell all their catch irrespective of size or species, all contributes to overfishing in the Lake.…”

“…At the Lake, Overfishing is based on the use of nonselective nylon gill nets, seines, etc [23]. The rapid population rise around the Lake (7.4 million for all the riparian countries) [23] and the demand of fish all the countries makes fishers easily sell all their catch irrespective of size or species, all contributes to overfishing in the Lake. Other causes of overfishing in the Lake includes a deterioration of the socio-economic environment, absence of common fishery policy for the riparian nations, as well as post-harvest losses which encourages more fishing to offset such losses Ejiogu [23], Njoku et al [24].…”