Fish Families of Oguta Lake, South Eastern Nigeria, and Sustainability Issues

Abstract

Fish species of Oguta Lake were sampled for seven months to acertain present status. The catch consisted of 5 orders, 15 families, 21 genera and 28 species.  Bagridae, Characidae, Anabantidae, Citharinidae and Notopteridae  were dominant families in terms of numbers; in terms of species,  Cichlidae  was most dominant ( 5 species). In descending order number of species identified were: three each, for Mormyridae, Characidae and Mochokidae;  and a species or two for each of the remaining 11 families,  indicating that there could be high risk of complete wipe out of such families under sudden adverse environmental conditions. As a potential source of socio-economic development to surrounding communities the anthropogenic activities on this lake should be defined in order to forestall   the gradual and continuous loss of its useful services. The root crop cassava (Manihot sp.) cottage industry can be sited by the lake to stop its direct processing within the lake. Domestic waste should not be dumped directly into the lake as well.  The management of Oguta Lake is encouraged since this will curtail the negative impacts of anthropogenic activities on the lake aquatic resources through appropriate management approaches. Ecosystem - and community - based approaches, including integrated and adaptive management measures are suggested for the management of the lake   and its aquatic resources, as there seemed to be some kind of shift, to a reduction in the lake fish assemblage.

Keywords: Anthropogenic activities, fish families, fisheries management, shift