The story of aquaculture in Nigeria is essentially the story of catfish culture and the hope of fish supply in Nigeria hang on its development and culture. Recent trends all over the world, point to a decline in landing from capture fisheries, an indicator that fish stocks have approached or even exceeded the point of maximum sustainable yield. Aquaculture therefore remains the only viable alternative for increasing fish production in order to meet the protein need of the people. Catfishes of the family Claridae comprise the most commonly cultivated fishes in Nigeria.
Reservoirs are rarely and or never created for fishery purposes. However, the secondary use of the impounded waters for fisheries is becoming an increasingly important activity, particularly in Nigeria, the region that is purported to have the highest reservoir acreage amongst all continents. Reservoir fish production is also gradually becoming a significant contributor to total inland production, and often provides a relatively affordable source of fresh and good quality animal protein source to many rural communities, as well many livelihood opportunities directly and indirectly (Petr, 2007). According to Chabjinda (1996), reservoir aquaculture activities in the recent past are also seen as a means of providing alternate livelihood opportunities to people that are displaced by the impoundment. Such livelihoods could entail engagement in capture fisheries and or aquaculture activities such as cage culture. In addition, nations are beginning to take note of the vast reservoir resources that are of a non-perennial nature inthe West Africasub-region for development of culture based fisheries. This development, a low cost community activity, is thought to provide significant subsidiary income to downstream farmers and contribute to their nutrition. Notably in the region the reservoir fisheries production and management methods, amongst others factors differ widely.
The differences in fish yield between reservoirs and/or between countries cannot be easily understood and are unli