A STUDY ON THE PROGRESSION OF AQUACULTURE IN DEGRADED INLAND REGIONS IN BAYELSA STATE

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY: Nigeria, a nation characterised by an abundance of rivers, also possesses a significant number of lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands. However, it is worth noting that a considerable portion of these natural resources has experienced degradation as a result of several circumstances (FGN, 1993). The production and development of sustainable fisheries are heavily reliant on the presence of a healthy aquatic environment. It is widely acknowledged that the future prosperity of a rising nation like Nigeria hinges on achieving a more prudent equilibrium between the utilisation and preservation of natural resources, with the aim of establishing sustainable systems that mitigate environmental deterioration (Butt, 1985).

The success of fisheries and aquaculture is heavily influenced by the quality of the aquatic environment. According to Paulin (1989), the metabolic activities of fish are directly and immediately influenced by the aquatic medium. The quality of the medium, which directly affects the health and performance of fish, is influenced by various parameters such as soil structure, composition, pH, dissolved oxygen content, temperature, and salinity. Nigerian freshwater habitats have been experiencing increasingly rapid rates of damage and degradation due to various factors, including toxic contamination resulting from industrial and urban pollution, the spread of infectious illnesses, the construction of dams, irrigation practises, factory farming activities, and the destruction of forests and wetlands. As a result, there has been a consistent rise in the calibre and variety of discharges that enter our freshwater ecosystem (Anko & Eyo, 2001).

Undoubtedly, the scarcity of suitable inland regions has emerged as the foremost challenge to the long-term viability of fisheries and aquaculture practises. The designation of freshwater as a national commons is imperative. The majority of individuals residing in developing nations, such as Nigeria, perceive freshwater as a collective societal asset with universal significance. The utilisation of restricted freshwater resources necessitates the ecological development of our shared societal legacy. According to Ita (1993), the excessive exploitation and improper utilisation of limited freshwater resources have a direct impact on fish output and overall quality of life in terms of national health, agriculture, and economy. It is imperative to acknowledge that the development of fisheries and aquaculture is contingent upon the preservation of adequate water quality.

The incorporation of fundamental knowledge on inland water systems, together with the application of this knowledge to address practical issues and find effective solutions, should be a matter of importance for all individuals and groups involved in the management and preservation of our freshwater resources. This study emphasises the significance of high-quality inland areas in Nigeria for fisheries, namely aquaculture. It investigates the several factors that contribute to the degradation of these areas, analyses their implications, and proposes potential control strategies to facilitate the successful growth of aquaculture.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The degradation of inland waters in Nigeria is a phenomenon that manifests itself in both rural and urban regions. In the hinterlands, the inland aquatic bodies, namely rivers, streams, and lakes, often fall victim to contamination caused by the presence of inorganic compounds employed in agricultural practises. This unfortunate occurrence tends to adversely impact the quality of said streams and lakes. These substances encompass fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides. The application of these substances upon agricultural fields occasionally results in their precipitation via rainfall into stagnant bodies of water and reservoirs situated upon the flat terrain.

The presence of an abundance of nutrients, specifically fertilisers, within the water system can give rise to an overabundance of phytoplankton. This excessive growth of phytoplankton subsequently imposes a significant demand for biological oxygen, leading to the degradation of the aquatic environment due to a substantial depletion of oxygen levels. This depletion places a considerable amount of stress on the vast majority of fish species, ultimately resulting in their gradual demise. Numerous industrial establishments within the Nigerian landscape are strategically situated alongside riverbanks, employing these water bodies as conduits for the disposal of their effluent. The inadequate management of untreated industrial waste has led to the manifestation of discoloured, turbid, malodorous, and unsanitary freshwater bodies, accompanied by the unfortunate consequences of fish mortality and a decline in overall water purity. The prevailing sectors that bear the onus of water contamination in Nigeria encompass the petroleum industry, mining operations targeting precious metals such as gold, tin, and coal, as well as the wood and pulp sector. Additionally, the pharmaceutical, textile, plastic, iron and steel, brewing, distillery fermentation, paint, beverage, and food industries contribute significantly to this predicament. Nevertheless, this scholarly investigation aims to explore the potential for the advancement of aquaculture in Nigeria despite the prevailing environmental degradation.