Author(s): Akinnigbagbe Ruth Oluwatoyin

Abstract: Unique improved selective fishing traps that can be used by fish farmers for the harvest of table size fishes are developed. The consistent decrease in fish catches and harvest of undersized fishes by the traditional fishing traps among fish farmers around Lagos and Epe Lagoons fishing communities predicts a risk of food security which necessitated the development of this novel device. This ecological friendly fishing traps made with plastic material and with the inclusion of escape gaps for the release of undersized fishes is proposed to be mandatory for fish farmers around the fishing communities in Nigeria. The unique improved selective fishing traps operate in shallow water of 1-2 meters depth. Traps are set against the flow of water current to aid movement of fishes into the traps. The invention was designed using long Bamboo as stalks to peg each trap against loss of trap in water. Stones of about 2 kg weights are used as sinkers with a head rope connecting the traps in a row. Traps are spaced at about 10 m apart to inhibit the potential of bait transfer from one trap to the other. The invention is more effective than the traditional fishing traps in terms of total fish catch. The average catch per month of matured fishes of table sizes caught by the invention is approximately 61% compared with approximately 23% fishes usually caught by the traditional traps and often undersized. With the proposed mandatory development of the unique improved selective fishing traps for fisherfolks, the resultant higher fish catch and harvest would create economic empowerment for fish farmers and provide a source of sustainable animal protein for societal consumption at large.

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