Category Archives: FISON CONFERENCE 2017

FISON CONFERENCE 2017

FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON) REPORT OF THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT TO THE FISON GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON) REPORT OF THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT TO THE FISON GENERAL ASSEMBLY  OCTOBER 26TH , 2017
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen you are all welcome to the 32nd National Conference of our Great Society FISON. I seize this opportunity to thank all of you for your Cooperation and your understanding. That we are able to be at this conference is a testimony to your support and commitment to FISON.
I have the honour to brief the General Assembly of the development in the review period as follows:
I. CHARTER OF FISHERIES SOCIETY NIGERIA
A. Fund Raising
As all of us are aware we needed to raise fund for documentation and other items for ease of presentation of documents to the Nation Assembly. To this effect a request for donations was made to Members of Councils of Fellows and the generality of FISON Members. The response received from many of the Distinguished Fellows is heartwarming and encouraging. The list of donors by Members of the Council of Fellows is attached as AnnexureA for ease of reference. I must also express the appreciation of the Council of Fellows and Executive Council to many members of FISON Members who Contributed Five Thousand Naira (N5, 000=) each towards the loudable project. We also note the contributions of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology and Federal polytechnic Ado-Ekiti for their donation towards this venture.
B. FISHERIES INSTITUTE BILL
We have gone beyond the status of successful first and second readings at the floor of National Assembly. The chairman of the Charter project Professor Adebisi Balogun, Ffs will be given the floor to brief the house of the latest development on the matter.
2. HORNOR TO MEMBERS
It is note worthy that Prof. Adebisi Balogun Ffs was given awards at the Ondo State and the National body of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association on August 10th , 2017 and 16th September respectively. The later award was most Distinguished AWARD by the Association. On behalf of FISON a Good Will Message was placed in the programme of Ondo State Chapter Ceremony at which occasion he was the Guest Lecture as well. A similar Good will message is also in 2017 Conference Programme of FISON. I take this opportunity to congratulate Prof. Adebisi Balogun, Ffs on these epoch making awards and achievements. We are proud of you.
3. EMPLOYMENT
To develop FISON National Membership database, a data Capturing officer Miss. Deborah Olayinka was employed in June 2017, Consequently she  developed the
database of FISON Membership which is put at about 2650. Also she has developed the database of some of our members along their line of Specialization. Information of Members who have responded is attached as AnnexB. Member’s responses were low hence we extended deadline of submission to November 10th, 2017. We intend to publish the document as a Compendium of Fisheries and Aquaculture Consultants.
4. FISON NATIONAL PLATFORM
The FISON National Platform was created in July 2017 under the Chairmanship of Dr. O. R. Oguntade. The platform is designed for dissemination of information among FISON Members Nationally. Dr.O.R. Oguntade is doing a very good job of the exercise.
5. OBITUARY
With Heavy Heart and Glory to God we announce the passing unto Glory of our former National President Dr. Samuel Olanrewaju Talabi, Ffs who died in June 2017 and was buried on the 1st of September, 2017. We express our appreciation to the Council of Fellows Members who donated towards the support of the Family for a befitting burial. I seize this opportunity to thank all Distinguished Fellows who contributed towards the support of the Talabi Family through Dr. G.R. Akande’s bank Account. A total sum of Two Hundred and Seventy Six Thousand (N276, 000) was paid into FISON Account by Dr. G.R. Akande, Ffs. Consequently a gift in cheque of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250, 000) was presented to Mrs. Foluke Talabi while we spent Twenty Eight Thousand Five Hundred Naira Only (N28,500) for flexi banner postals. By implication a total sum of Two Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand and Five Hundred Naira Only (N278, 500) was committed on the burial support to the family.
6. FISHERIES STUDENTS INDUCTION FOR 2017
Although we are aware that the process will be modified as soon as the Society gets its charter status, it is important to put on record our efforts along this line before the Charter of the Society. Following are the Induction exercises carried out in the review period:
I. University of Lagos(Unilag ),Lagos state – 22
II. Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta(FUNAAB)  Ogun State – 72
III. Ebonyi State University, Ebonyi State  – 26
IV. Federal Polytechic Nekede, Imo State – 52
V. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State – 23
VI. University of Maiduguri, Bornu State – 12
VII. Federal University of Technology (FUTA)Akure (yet to take place) – 26
7. CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY
In view of the reported Aquaculture product price crisis we are planning a stakeholders forum for conflict resolution to address the issue. We have identified some stakeholders and currently working out the funding of the Stakeholders meeting. The Stakeholders identified so far include CAFFAN, LASCAFAN, DURANTE, TADAN(Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association )FISON and others.
8. FISON REPRESENTATION AT THE SUMMIT NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS GROUP (NABG) IN ABUJA (2017).
FISON presented a position paper on Aquaculture Industry in Nigeria at the summit Organized by National Agricultural Business Group NABG. FISON was recognized as the focal association for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in Nigeria. It was a very great outing for FISON. The paper presented is “Harnessing the Aquaculture Value Chain for Economic Transformation of Nigeria.
9. COLLABORATION WITH THE STANDARD ORGANIZATION OF NIGERIA (SON)
Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) Invited FISON inputs for its review of standards in Commodities including Fish and Fisheries products. FISON submitted its input Prepared by some of our specialists in the relevant subject matter.
10. JOURNAL OF FISHERIES
The new Editorial Board has earnestly commenced its work. It  will be officially inaugurated during this Conference. Dr. (Mrs.) E.J Ansa completed the production of 2016 edition of Journal of Fisheries and it is currently on sale. The effort of Dr. E.J. Ansa to this effect is appreciated.
11. INAUGURAL LECTURES
We take this time to congratulate some of our distinguished scholars and professors who delivered their Inaugural Lectures in the review period. They include:
– Prof. A.O. Ogwumba,Ffs – Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta
– Prof. Paul Bolorunduro, Ffs- Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
– Prof. (Mrs.) O.k Adeyemo  – Niger Delta University
– Prof. Ibukunoluwa Ayodele – University of Ibadan
12. AWARD OF “FISON AMBASSADORS”
Category of Membership age breakdown is as follows:
7o Years and Above : 67
60-69 years : 303
Below 60years : 2280
Our last resolution was to give “FISON AMBASSADOR” award to 60years and above. In view of 370 Members will be too large for award hence we should come with selection criteria for deserving numbers hence 60years of age should be one of the eligible criteria. The Executive Council may be mandated to work out the acceptable criteria for selection.
Thank You
Olajide Ayinla, Ffs
National President
FISON CONFERENCE 2017

PROSPECT OF TILAPIA CULTURE IN NIGERIA.

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                             PROSPECT OF TILAPIA CULTURE IN NIGERIA.

Being the text of the lecture delivered by Mr Remi Ahmed The National President of Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association Nigeria at the farmers forum of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria 32nd annual conference held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University,Akwa, Anambra State Nigeria between 23rd to 28th October 2017

INTRODUCTION: Tilapia is a native species of Africa, which is widely accepted by African population from decades, robust fish to culture, growing to market desired size in 6 months period. Take low protein diet and give high protein white meat with low fat and less odour. Tilapia is the fish that would solve all the protein problems of developing countries and the increasing demand for fish in the developed world.

CULTURABLE STRAIN:Majorly culture species belong to the genus Orechromis . The number one commercially cultured is Orechromis niloticus. Popularly refer to as Nile Tilapia. Two major improved breeds of Nile Tilapia that grow up to 28-30 per cent faster are great asset to farmers in West Africa and Egypt. These developments are the results of breeding programs in Ghana and Egypt by worldfish and partners to improve two strains of Nile Tilapia. (Orechromis niloticus). Through selective breeding program in Egypt carried out for over ten years, Abbassa strain of Nile tilapia that grows 28 per cent than the most commonly used commercial strain in Egypt.

In partnership with world fish, Water Research Institute (WRI) in Ghana, Akosombo strain was developed. This confers 30 % growth advantage over unimproved Nile Tilapia in Ghana. Nigeria research institute should wake up, to develop Nigerian strain. Abassa strain is not very popular in Nigeria but the time we started applying for Akosombo strain from Ghana, it has lost its vigor. Right now most of our stock came from Asia, particularly from Thailand.

The same worldfish played a major Genetic breed to evolve what is popularly refer to as GIFT Tilapia. This is what we are currently importing from Asia.

TILAPIA HATCHERY: Most of the hatchery in Nigeria today is earthen pond base.  The pond bears different type of hapa depends on the usage. The first set BREEDING hapa. This is where broodstock are stocked at the ratio of 3 females to 1male. The mating takes place here. The fry and eggs are recovered from here to sex reversal hapa and automatic incubator respectively.  To hasten the growth, all male fry are taken to Fingerling hapa where they grow to the size that can go to grow- out or supply to interested farmers as fingerlings.

GROWOUT:   Earthen pond, There are three type rearing systems for Tilapia. Only two of them were adopted in Nigeria. The first preference is pond. Countries like Nigeria where temperature is good, land is in abundant and very cheap, environmental regulations not so strict, abundance water sources. Pond culture is the best. The stocking density should not be higher 2-3fish/cubic meter. To get up to 800gm after 6 -8months, proper fertilization may be necessary.

Second preference is Cages. Temperature is good. There is abundance of water bodies, with high level of Oxygen in most cases. No pollution, No predators.  Most of the lakes, dams, reservoirs and embankments are either government owned or very few belong to private individuals. Most of the Federal Government lakes have been constructed and abandoned for a very long time ago. Best usage been got for many of them now. In the cages, cost of production will be 25 to 40% higher than in pond. We are very comfortable with as much as 75fish per cubic meter. So, the yield of about 37.5kg is possible per cubic meter.

Third and the last preference is Water recirculatory system. It is not advisable to embrace this system in a country where there is no electricity like Nigeria. Cost of production is always higher with as much as 120%.

From different type of systems system adopted all over the world production continue unabatedly. Indonesia in particular report a large increase in production. China held relatively steady. With recent production figures reported by various sources, the global production estimate for 2015 is 5,576,800mt. China continues its position as a single largest producer with over 1,800,000 MT in 2015. Indonesia moved up to the second position with over 1,100,000MT to beat Egypt to third position with over 800,000MT.

 

 

 

 

The fish need of Nigeria as a nation to compare with countries in sub region of West Africa.

Countries                                                Per capita fish consumption (Kg/yr)

Sierra Leone                                           34.2

Ghana                                                     27.2

Gambia                                                   26.6

Senegal                                                  23.5

Nigeria                                                   17.1

It is still very doubtful if per capita fish consumption of Nigeria is up to 17.1 kg per year.  Even with the catfish, which we are mainly producing, is only for the rich. The imported frozen food is even more expensive. The solution lies in TILAPIA.  If Tilapia is embraced and even when fed primarily with vegetable feed, it will still delivers first class fish protein. Then a cheaper and avoidable protein will be on our table. With cheaper feed, we should be able to return Tilapia to “common mans’ food as it is been done in Ghana. Some farmers are already feeding with plants in Nigeria.

Other reasons why we must produce Tilapia includes:

  • Great business opportunities. USA bill on Tilapia exceeded USD 1billion annually. Per capita consumption of Tilapia in USA increased from 0.5kg in 2009 to 0.65kg in 2010. What then stop us from Exporting our Tilapia to US?.
  • Consumption of Tilapia is not restricted by religious observances as it is Togo and the Hindus which forbid the eating of Catfish and other scale-less fish.
  • Production constraints being reduced and production cost reducing. Sex reversal to convert all fry to male fish will make the Tilapia grows bigger and faster.
  • Markets are still expanding. Latest reports from the FAO(Globefish) released early this month indicate that International Tilapia trade has grown due to demand from the United states and many non-traditional emerging markets. The government of Uganda has started advising his farmers to take advantage of surging global demand and ramp up production. The same government is all over Europe looking for market for his farmer’s Tilapia.
  • Low cost of feed inputs. Tilapia can grow to a market-able size of 250-450gm within eight months, even when fed primarily with vegetable feed.
  • Nigeria has a solid marketing opportunity for Tilapia- Producers, processors and traders. A lot of new jobs are been created with Tilapia culture. Diver, net maker, paddler, Tilapia hawker, Smoked Tilapia plant, Barbecue Sport etc.

Ladies and gentlemen, Tilapia is the fish that will take us to paradise of fish protein and get the country name registered in the export market of fish internationally.

Thank you.

Remi Ahmed.

 

 

 

Tilapia Barbecue

Smoked Tilapia.