Generally, fishery is an entity engaged in raising or harvesting fish which is determined by some authority to be a fishery.
In biology, the term fish is mostly used to describe any animal with a backbone that has gills throughout life and had limbs, if any, in the shape of fins. Some aquatic animals commonly referred to as fish are not fish in this strict sense; examples include shellfish, cuttlefish, starfish, crayfish and jellyfish.
In fisheries-the term fish is used as a collective term, and includes mollusks, crustaceans and any aquatic animal which is harvested.
True fish- The strict biological definition of a fish, above, is so.etimes called a true fish. True fish are also referred to as finfish.
There are majorly two types of fisheries; capture and culture fisheries-
Capture fisheries can be majorly classified as industrial scale, small-scale or artisanal, and recreational. Close to 90% of the world's fishery catches come from oceans and seas, as against inland waters. Farming can occur in coastal areas, but more typically occur inland, in lakes, ponds, tanks and other enclosures.
Fishing involves some form of intervention in the rearing process to enhance production, such as regular stocking, feeding, protection from predators, etc. Capture fisheries encompass thousands of fisheries on a universal scale, they are often categorized by the capture species, the fishing gear used and the level at which a fishery is managed nationally, regionally and dubregionally.
The following are various types of capture fisheries;
INDUSTRIAL FISHERIES
Capital-intensive fisheries using relatively large vessels with a high degree of mechanization and that normally have advanced fish finding and makes use of sophisticated equipments. Such fisheries have a high production capacity and the catch per unit effort is normally high.
SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES
Labour intensive fisheries using relatively small crafts and little capital and equipment per person-on-board. Most often family-owned. May be commercial or for subsistence, usually low fuel consumption. Often equated with artisanal fisheries.
ARTISANAL FISHERIES
Artisanal fisheries involves small amount of capital, small fishing vessels, making small fishing trips, are mainly for local consumption and not for money making. It varies from hand-collection on the beach or a one person canoe usually in rural areas. Artisanal fisheries can be subsistence or commercial fisheries and sometimes referred to as small-scale fisheries. It always involve low-level technology.
RECREATIONAL/SPORT FISHER
Harvesting fish for personal use, leisure, and challenge (as opposed to profit or research). Recreational fisheries simply means fisheries activities that are down for relaxation. This includes activities like sport fishing and boat cruising, also communal fishing(Argungun fishing festival) in the northern part of Nigeria.
COMMERCIAL FISHERIES
Fisheries undertaken for profit and with the objective to sell the harvest on market. This is the major reason for fish farming in Nigeria and all over the world. He involves all the activities that can bring about profit. Like all other business enterprises their cost benefit ratio analysis must be done before embarking on it.
Commercial fisheries can either be done at industrial level or artisanal level. The major objectives of aquaculture are centered on commercial fisheries.
SUBSISTENCE FISHERIES
The fishery where the fish caught are shared and consumed directly by the families and kin of the fishers is known as subsistence fishery. Pure subsistence fisheries are rare as part of the products are often sold or exchanged for their goods or services. This is majorly done to augment the family income. It is either combined with other agricultural enterprise or other business.
TRADITIONAL FISHERIES
Fisheries established long ago, usually by specific communities that have developed customary patterns of rule and operations. Traditional fisheries reflex cultural traits and attitudes and may be strongly influenced by religious practices or social customs. Knowledge is transmitted between generations by word of mouth. They are usually small-scale artisanal. An example is the annual Argungun fishing festival in Nigeria.
AQUACULTURE
Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks and other aquatic organisms. The most common form of aquaculture is farming of fish. It involves raising fish commercially in tanks, ponds, or ocean enclosures, usually for food purpose. Aquaculture is an industry that encompasses the cultivation of aquatic plants and animals in controlled systems for commercial, recreation or resource management and other meaningful purposes. Aquaculture is the cultivation of any aquatic (freshwater and marine) species of plant or animal or any other aquatic organism.
With the world population reaching the 6.0 billion mark by the year 2020, a lot of pressure is being mounted on the worldwide fish population. The per capita consumption of aquatic foods in the tropics which has well over 90% of world population growth may be maintained if there is a corresponding increase in fish supply.
Aquaculture in Nigeria has a history of at least four decades but it is still developing. Its potential in fish production was recently realised when it became obvious that our fish requirement cannot be met from capture fisheries alone. According to FAO statistics, Nigeria with a potential of 0.65 - 1.2 million tons of fish from aquaculture produces only 20,000 - 24,000 tons annually. Fish farming therefore, aimed at bridging the ever widen gap between fish demand and supply.
OBJECTIVES OF AQUACULTURE
Aquaculture is a versatile and a flexible industry encompassing a wide range of methods designed to meet various needs and to fulfill different purposes. The following are the aims and objectives of aquaculture:
1.) To supply food for human consumption (high source of protein).
2.) To improve fish seed multiplication and re-stocking of water(fingerlings production).
3.) Economics (employment, new industry and support services).
4.) Increase foreign and domestic earning.
5.) To provide ornamental fishes.
6.) Provision of recreational facilities.
7.) For research and Educational purposes.
However, there are other challenges facing aquaculture development in Nigeria, these are:
1.) Poor quality fish seed (fingerlings, juveniles) and high cost of fish feed.
2.) Insecurity (poaching).
3.) Inadequate fund.
4.) Poor government policies.
5.) Environmental pollution.
6.) Marketing of aquaculture products.
7.) Poor management and disease outbreak.
8.) Shortage of capable professional and technical personnel in the fishing industry.
