Assessment of Fish Landed by Artisanal Fishers in Imo River at Owerri-Nta, Abia State, Nigeria

Assessment of fish landing by artisanal fishers in Imo River at Owerri-Nta was conducted from January-December, 2013, using statistical frame survey and catch assessment survey. Seven fish families made up nine fish species, with their local names, were recorded. The fish species Tilapia zillii, a cichlid was the most dominant with a total value of 3,342 and 22.87% in terms of numbers and percentage abundance respectively. The Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, with 13.08% percentage abundance, was the species of the highest market value. Thirty-six artisanal fishers (all part time) with fourteen canoes, using gill nets, cast nets, basket traps, drum traps, hook and line set and Malian trap as fishing gears were recorded in the river with a total catch of 14,611 in terms of numbers and a mean catch of 43 fishes/canoe. Based on the catch composition, the river was productive and comparable with other smaller but productive Nigeria Rivers, reservoirs and lakes. The Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) system was suggested for management consideration, with emphasis on registration of fishers and their fishing equipment, enforcement of minimum mesh size of 3 inch and establishment of community based cooperative scheme. It was also suggested that the river be stocked with some commercially important species to improve the fishery situation of the study area.