DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
Vision
To promote knowledge and provide solutions needed in tackling the challenges of fish production, and the management of aquatic environments through quality education, scholarly research and service delivery; enhancing economic opportunities in Nigeria.
Philosophy
Our philosophy is to produce fisheries and aquaculture experts with the right competence that would enable them to harness the tremendous opportunities in agriculture through designing appropriate technologies that are demand-driven in response to local needs for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture that is economically viable and profitable, socially acceptable, and environmentally friendly.
Objectives
Admission Requirements
Candidates seeking admission into Fisheries programme must:
Structure and period of studies in the Universities, Industrial Training, planned visit and projects.
Students spend a minimum of five academic sessions (that is, 10 semesters) to complete the programme. The students are first exposed to external farm environment courtesy of farm practice and field course at 200 and 300 Levels, respectively that require excursions and field trips to any functional farm, usually an integrated farm within or outside the state. The whole of the fourth year is used for Industrial Training (IT) programme (also referred to as the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme; SIWES) at relevant farms and/or institutions.
Presently, the Department places or sends students on IT to:
Also, as part of strategies to strengthen our relationship with the industry partners for the IT programme to enhance the practical skills of students, we have also signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Domita Farms and intend to do so for others for a more sustainable and mutually rewarding IT programme (SIWES).
FIRST SEMESTER SECOND
SEMESTER
| Course Code | Course Title | Units | Course Code | Course Title | Units |
| FSH 301.1 | Fish Biology and Ichthyology | 2 | FSH 307.2 | Fish Nutrition | 2 |
| FSH 302.1 | Fish Ecology | 2 | FSH 308.2 | Fish-Gear Technology | 2 |
| FSH 303.1 | Aquaculture | 2 | FSH 309.2 | Fish Parasites and Diseases | 2 |
| FSH 304.1 | Limnology | 2 | FSH 310.2 | Elementary Seamanship and Navigation | 2 |
| FSH 305.1 | Ornamental Fisheries and Production of Other Aquatic Organisms | 2 | FSH 311.2 | Oceanography | 2 |
| FSH 306.1 | Fish Population Dynamics | 2 | FSH 313.2 | Fish Pond Construction and Management | 2 |
| FSH 312.1 | Fish Farm Techniques and Hatchery Management | 2 | FSH 314.2 | Fish Adaptation and Physiology | 2 |
| FSH 315.1 | Aquatic Flora and Fauna | 2 | GES 300.2 | Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship | 2 |
| AGE 301.1 | Introduction to Farm Management | 2 | AGR 303.2 | Agricultural Biochemistry | 2 |
| AGR 302.1 | Agricultural Research and Report Writing | 2 | AGF 301.2 | Field Course | 1 |
| TOTAL | 20 | 19 |
Total units = 39
400 LEVEL (YEAR) SIWES 32 UNITS
| Course codes | Course Title | Units |
| GES 400 | Entrepreneurship project | 2 |
| AGR 400 | SIWES | 30 |
| Total | 32 |
500 level (YEAR 5) courses
| FIRST SEMESTER | SECOND SEMESTER | ||||
| Course Code | Course Title | Units | Course Code | Course Title | Units |
| FSH 501.1 | Fish Farm Engineering | 2 | FSH 509.2 | Fish Zoogeography | 2 |
| FSH 502.1 | Fish Production and Management | 2 | FSH 510.2 | Fish Technology, Processing and Storage | 2 |
| FSH 504.1 | Water Quality and Pollution Control | 2 | FSH 511.2 | Fish Genetics and Breeding | 2 |
| FSH 505.1 | Fisheries Economics and Marketing | 2 | FSH 512.2 | Farm Management and Fishery Business Management | 2 |
| FSH 506.1 | Advanced Fish Nutrition | 2 | FSH 513.2 | Fishery Policy and Legislation | 2 |
| FSH 507.1 | Research Techniques in Fisheries | 2 | FSH 500.2 | Seminar | 1 |
| FSH 508.1 | Aquatic Toxicology | 2 | FSH 599.2 | Research Project | 6 |
| AGX 501.1 | Programme Development and Administration in Extension(Elective) | 2 | |||
| AGR 502.1 | Advances in Agriculture | 2 | |||
| TOTAL | 18 | 17 | |||
Total units = 35
Cumulative units
Fisheries option 178 units
COURSE SYNOPSIS FOR THE BACHELOR OF FISHERIES PROGRAMME
YEAR THREE (FIRST SEMESTER)
FSH 301.1 Fish Biology and Ichthyology (2 units)
The gross external and internal anatomy of a typical bony and cartilaginous fishes. The different types of anatomical structures (organs, systems) and their basic functions in the fish. Embryology and life history of fish with special reference to commercially important fish e.g. tilapia, catfishes and mullets. Principles of systematics. Taxonomy and detailed study of principal commercial fish species of Nigerian waters: inland, estuarine and ocean; Aquatic invertebrates and reptiles. Identification of species using keys and monographs. Important world species; Sardines, tuna, anchorvies, etc. biological attributes of fish populations. Phylogenetic relationships.
FSH 302.1 Fish Ecology (2 units)
Ecology of fish with special reference to distribution and adaptation; application of this knowledge in fisheries management and for obtaining maximum returns from fishery resources. Characteristics of the aquatic environment, organic production in aquatic fauna and flora – eutrophication and algal blooms; plankton and benthos biomass assessment. Food and feeding habits of fish, food and habitat selection, population, niche concept. Food chains and food webs. Reproductive behaviour and life cycles of some selected fish species.
FSH 303.1 Aquaculture (2 units)
Aims and types of aquaculture; history, present organization and status of aquaculture in Nigeria. Principles of aquaculture – liming and pond fertilization; Food supply, growth rate and food conversion, selection of culture species, introduction to exotic and endemic species and their implications: water requirements/water quality control and aeration. Stocking, feeding and harvesting practices; Fish farm design, economic consideration of aquaculture.
FSH 304.1 Limnology (2 units)
Physical and chemical properties of inland waters (rivers, natural and man-made lakes): illumination, temperature, density, diffusion, viscosity, dissolved gases, mineral compositions, water circulation, thermal properties and stratification, etc. Hydrology and water circle.
FSH 305.1 Ornamental Fisheries and Production of other Aquatic Organisms (2 units)
Ecology and life histories of crustaceans and aquatic molluscs. Culture of shrimps, oysters, crabs, lobsters, cockles, periwinkles, marine gastropods, frogs, edible sea weeds and fresh water plants. Open sea and coastal farming of some shell and fin fishes. Ornamental fish breeding, management and nutrition; Design and maintenance of various aquaria.
FSH 306.1 Fish Population Dynamics (2 units)
Age determination of fish; Length/weight relationships, condition factor. Von Bertalanffy growth equations, Ford-Walford plot, growth curves. Estimation of mortality; Natural, fishing and total mortality. Fish stock assessment; Virtual population analysis, recruitment, yield models; Estimation of standing stock size, potential stock size; Maximum sustainable yield, optimum yield etc; Over-fishing.
FSH 312.1 Fish Farming Techniques and Hatchery Management (2 Units)
Artisanal and commercial fishing methods and importance in fishing boats, trawlers and gears – hooks, traps and nets – different types of fish culture techniques, monoculture, polyculture, selected breeding, intensive and extensive culture in inland and brackish water, in rice fields, in floating cages and rafts. Gear selectivity, electro fishing; Spawning methods, artificial fertilization; incubation, rearing, harvesting and transportation of fry and fingerlings; Selection and care of breeders; Larvae and fingerlings. Control of weeds parasites and diseases in the hatchery; Control of physiochemical properties of water.
FSH 315.1 Aquatic Flora and Fauna (2 Units)
Study and identification of the characteristic flora and fauna of importance in fresh water and coastal swamps of the tropics. The ecology, utilization and management of aquatic flora and fauna. Introduction to aquatic insects (classification, identification of main orders with emphasis on tropical taxa). Control of aquatic weeds in ponds –chemical, mechanical and biological.
AGE 301.1 Introduction to Farm Management (2 units)
The nature of farm management and production economics. Theory of agricultural production and revenue concepts; Elements of time, risk, and uncertainty in agricultural production. Break-even, gross net margin, and budgetary analysis.
YEAR THREE (SECOND SEMESTER)
FSH 307.2 Fish Nutrition (2 units)
Principles of fish nutrition. Classification of foods, feeding stuff and feed supplements; Chemistry and nutritive value of various classes of fish feed and feeding stuff (cereals and legumes). Nutrient sources and practical consideration in fish feeding/feeding systems. Feed formulation.
FSH 308.2 Fish-Gear Technology (2 units)
The relationship between the development of gear and habits of fish. Design, characteristics and types of gear and fishing vessels; Properties of the materials used in their construction. Assessment of efficiency of fishing gear, concepts of catch per unit effort and gear selectivity. Introduction and trial of gear, construction of hooks, traps and nets. Artisanal and commercial fishing methods. Importance of fishing boats and trawlers; Electro-fishing.
FSH 309.2 Fish Parasites and Diseases (2 units)
Identification, morphology, taxonomy and life history of fish parasites. The ecological and pathological effects of parasites and diseases on fish. Epidemiology of parasite population in water bodies, common bacterial, fungal and viral fish diseases and their control. Other enemies of fish. Internal regulations on trans-boundary transportation of fish and fishery products. Fish ponds and public health.
FSH 310.2 Elementary Seamanship and Navigation (2 units)
Important sea terminologies; Parts of a boat and a ship; Wind strength and state of the sea; Coastal beacons and light vessels. Measurement of distance, water depth, speed, etc. Launching and boarding of small vessels; Lifesaving and fire-fighting equipment and application methods. Swimming and diving.
FSH 311.2 Oceanography (2 units)
Topography of the sea, physical and chemical characteristics of sea water. Illumination, temperature, specific heat, electrical conductivity, density, specific gravity, pressure, diffusion, viscosity, acoustic characteristics, salinity (chlorinity), dissolved gases and ocean currents. Coastal processes, waves, tides (tide tables) and coastal erosion. Species composition, distribution and adaptation of marine organisms: plankton, invertebrates, fish, reptiles and mammals. Dynamics of flora and fauna of brackish water environments.
FSH 313. 2 Fish Pond Construction and Management (2 units)
Principles of pond construction. Surveying and fish pond layout. Types of ponds. Maintenance of ponds: Repair of pond leakages, desilting, flushing of old ponds, erosion control, checks on sluice gates and monks, water inflow and outflow pipes, etc.
FSH 314.2 Fish Physiology and Adaptation (2 units)
The different shapes and adaptive designs in fish in relation to the aquatic environment. Natural environmental adaptation of fish: migration, reproduction, feeding habits, responses to salinity, temperature and other environmental factors; Life cycles. Modified environmental behaviour of fish to pressure, light, electrical field and noise. Classification of fin-fish and shell-fish.
GES 300.2 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship (2 units)
Concept, history and development of entrepreneurship; The entrepreneur qualities and characteristics; The Entrepreneur and Business environment; identifying business opportunities; starting and developing new business ventures; legal forms of business ownership and registration; Types of business ownership; Feasibility studies; Role of small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) in the economy; Role of government on Entrepreneurship; Business location and layout; Accounting for SME; Financing SME; Managing of SME; Marketing in SME; Risk Management of SME; Success and Failure factors of SME; Prospects and Challenges of Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship; Ethical behaviour in small business.
AGR 303.2 Agricultural Biochemistry (2 units)
Biochemistry in agriculture, food and nutrition; Proteins, vitamins, minerals in farm produce- eggs, meat, vegetable, etc. food processing and natural products; Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids (metabolic pathways).
AGF 301.2 Field Course (1unit)
Study visit to areas, institutions, industries, etc, relevant to students’ area of specialization. Students are required to write a report on the trip.
Year four
GES 400 Entrepreneurship project (2 units)
AGR 400 (SIWES): Report writing (30 units)
YEAR FIVE (FIRST SEMESTER)
FSH 501.1 Fish Farm Engineering (2 units)
General surveying and site selection; Freshwater and brackish water culture facilities. Design and construction of dykes, sluice gates, monks, drainage facilities, tanks, ponds, pens, cages, rafts and other types of fish rearing facilities; Design of inland fish farms, pumping station, recirculatory systems and fish hatcheries. Waste treatment approaches.
FSH 502.1 Fish Production and Management (2 Units)
Practical aspects of handling and care of fish; Breeding of fish; Production of fingerlings and fries; Management of breeders and equipment needed in a fish farm; Procurement of feed and systems of feeding; Harvesting and marketing; Appraisal of management structure and effectiveness of fisheries management policies; Preparation of management plan for fisheries project.
FSH 504.1 Water Quality and Pollution Control (2 units)
Composition of water bodies (physical, biological and chemical) – nutrient cycles; Physical, chemical and biological assessment of water types; Aquatic pollution and control strategies. Pollutant behaviour in water – quantification, characterization and mitigation. Effect of pollution on fish, plankton and benthos. Development and application of biotic indices to monitor the various water types. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – process of EIA; Simple models in environmental assessment; Evaluation of case studies. Ecological Risk Assessment, Health and Social Impact Assessments
FSH 505.1 Fisheries Economics and Marketing (2 units)
Major economic constraints in fishery development; Free access fishery; Sustainability yield curve and total revenue. Bionomic equilibrium, factor rents, welfare economic theory and its relevance for fisheries externalities in fisheries, capital investment and depreciation of equipment, consumer and consumption patterns; Fishery resources and right of ownership.
FSH 506. 1 Advance Fish Nutrition (2 units)
Classification of foods, feeding stuffs and feed supplements. An extensive coverage of the chemistry and nutritive values of succulent feeding stuffs, concentrate feeds (cereals and legumes). Chemistry and Nutritive values of some Nigeria grasses and legumes species. Consideration of methods of their biological value evaluation. Principles of fish nutrition; Requirements for energy, protein, vitamins and minerals, and non-nutrient components. Feed computation and formulation methods; The fish feed industries; feed pelleting, fish habits; Feed evaluation, practical consideration in fish feed. Feed formulation, feed mixing and manufacture of feed on commercial scale.
FSH 507.1 Research Techniques in Fisheries (2 units)
Fisheries and aquatic biology experimentation; Experimental designs (completely randomized design – CRD, randomized complete block design – RCBD, etc.). Sampling methods; Interpretation and presentation of data in Nutrition, Growth, Population and Community studies, etc.
FSH 508.1 Aquatic Toxicology (2 units)
Concepts of toxico-kinetics, biotransformation and dose-response relationships of different xenobiotics. Toxicological impact of single and multiple pollutants on aquatic species. Determination of LC50 values and Probit analysis. Introduction to genotoxicity, current methods of determining genotypic impacts. Genotoxic effects of a variety of xenobiotics; their mechanism of action. Phases of biotransformations and factors which lead to variations in the capacity to biotransformxenobiotics.
AGX 501.1 Programme Development and Administration in Extension (2 units)
Concepts, theories, principles and guidelines of administration, organization and supervision as applied to extension; Importance of programme planning in extension. Principles and concepts of programme planning in agriculture extension need, education objective, learning experience, clientele participation, plan of work and calendar of work.the role of good public relations, good leadership and cooperation for an extension worker. Association and cooperatives; concepts of evaluation applied to agricultural extension programmes.
AGR 502.1: Advances in Agriculture (2 units)
Historical background, Principles (principles of health, fairness, ecology, care) and practice of organic agriculture; Organic crop production, pest and disease management, predator control for sustainable and organic livestock production. Organic forestry, climate change and carbon sequestration, pasture management. Enterprise budgets and production costs for organic production, organic marketing resources and green markets; Hydroponic Agriculture: Preparation of nutrient solutions, media and methods (water culture, sub irrigation, slop and drip). Benefits and constraints; Tissue Culture and Cloning Technology: Introduction, laboratory requirements, effects of hormone balance on explants growth and morphogenesis, callus formation and multiplication, establishment of suspension cultures and another culture. Applications and relevance to Agriculture. Criticisms and laws (Bioethics and Biopiracy). Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) (Health issues, influence on biodiversity, benefits and demerits); organic farm certification and export markets.
YEAR FIVE (SECOND SEMESTER)
FSH 500.2 Seminar (1 unit)
Each final year student is expected to deliver seminar on a chosen topic.
FSH 509.2 Fish Zoogeography (2 units)
Principles, definition and process; Overview of fish zoogeography, types of distribution. Evolution of major groups of fish – historical zoogeography, variance and test of variance hypothesis; dispersal and isolation, continental drift, glaciations. World fish zoogeography; Reef fishes of the world, ostariophysan zoogeography. Major inshore marine regions; Fishes of Indo-West Pacific Region, fish of the West Atlantic Region, fish of the East Pacific Region. Freshwater fish Regions; Nearctic (N. America), Neotropical (S. America), Palearctic (N. Europe and Asia), Africa, Oriental, Australian.
FSH 510.2 Fish Technology, Processing and Storage (2 units)
Composition of fish; Biochemical and microbiological changes in fish post-mortem; Nature and effects of processing procedures. Post-harvest spoilage, principles and methods of preservation, packaging, storage, product evaluation and quality control; Estimation of nutrients in fish flesh. Traditional versus modern preservation techniques.
FSH 511.2 Fish Breeding and Genetics (2 units)
Principles of fish genetics and hybridization. Determination of heritable characteristics. Basic principles of Mendelian and quantitative inheritance. Genetic manipulation of cultivable fish and shell fish species; Natural and artificial selection of desirable traits. Breeding and cultivation of common types of fin and shell fish; Practical aspects of broodstock handling. Breeding of fish. Goals and plans in fish breeding; Selection types and methods of selective breeding in fish; Breeding methods. Hybrids and heterosis, directed programme in selected species e.g. tilapia, catfish, etc.
FSH 512.2 Farm Management and Fishery Business (2 units)
Fish farming planning and organization; Farm budgeting; Farm growth; Problems of organizing and managing fish farms under commercial, and peasant systems. The scope of fishery business and management, types of business management; Types of credit marketing arrangements, fish farm record and accounting; Financial management.
FSH 513.2 Fishery Policy and Legislation (2 units)
Fisheries institutions; fisheries policy and laws of Nigeria. International laws; laws of the sea. Preparation of management plan for fisheries project Aquatic conservation strategies/management of endangered, threatened and sensitive species; Catchment management; Legal issues and recovery plans; Captive propagations; Designing aquatic nature reserves, minimum viable populations for conservation.
FSH 599.2 Research Project (6 units)
Each final year student is expected to take up a project topic, propose his research and present findings of the research work. This should be under the supervision of a lecturer(s) in the Department. Hard copies of the project shall then be submitted to the Department.