http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1083 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:18:48 GMT 2026-04-14T23:18:48Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/12120 Evaluation of the Growth Performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) in Two Feed Regimes and Rice Output in an Integrated Rice-Fish Farming System in Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia Kerkulah, Sampson Denia This study was conducted to assess the yield of two rice cultivars (Suakoko 8 and Nerica L19) and the growth of mono-sex tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in an integrated rice-fish farming system. The profitability of the fish-rice integrated system, percent survival and condition factor of the fish was also assessed. The study was conducted using a randomized block design with five treatments and three replicates. The culture pond was fertilized by application of cow manure at a rate of 4.5 kg / plot across the entire five (5) treatment blocks containing 15 experimental plots. Each plot measured 3 m x 3 m; and fish were stocked at a rate of four fish per square meter. Rice seedlings were planted at 0.2 m × 0.2 m spacing. Sixty-four (64) rice plants were initially planted in each plot. A twenty-one (21)-day-old seedling (rice) was used as planting material. The area containing the fish measured 1 m x 3 m and was 0.6 m deep, which served as a refuge pond for the fish. Fish were stocked at an average body weight of 5 g. Data on plant height, fish growth and yields, and water quality parameters were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, and significant differences between treatments were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to test for differences in S8R, N19L, S8L, N19R, and S8 and the post hoc analysis were displayed using the Tukey HSD. S8 means Suakoko 8 and N19 means, New Rice for Africa variety 19 (N19). ―R‖ denotes that fish in those plots were fed Raanan feed and ―L‖ denotes that fish in those plots were fed the Local feed. The results show that treatments N19L and N19R had the best rice yield whilst treatment S8R had the best performance for fish growth. However, there were no significance difference in the weight gained of fish feed with Ranaan and those fed with the local feed (p>0.05). Overall, S8R obtained the profit margin of ($ 5,075), N19L ($ 5,949.82), S8L ($ 2,113.79), N19R ($ 9,205.83) and S8 ($ -3,938.15) per (ha) of cultivation – making N19R the most profitable rice-fish integrated aquaculture system. xi 97p:, ill Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/12120 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11868 Bioeconomic Analysis Of The Semi-Industrial Fishery In Ghana GYIMAH, DAVID SIAW The biological and economic factors that influence the semi-industrial fishery, one of the three major subsectors of the fishing industry in Ghana, was studied from November 2020 to May 2021, in order to determine the most efficient management and optimize policy for the fishery. Historical catch, effort and revenue data from 1980 to 2019 were obtained from the Fisheries Scientific Survey Division (FSSD), Ghana. Structured questionnaire and interviews were used in collecting primary data from fisher folks, some key informants and stakeholders along the value chain. The Gordon Schaefer surplus production model based on the empirical data on the semi-industrial fishery, was applied to determine the static reference points of the model and the results were discussed. Gross Margin analysis was also used to evaluate for the profitability of the fishery at each node of the value chain. The results revealed a steady decline in CPUE over the period (1980-2018) which may be symptomatic of overexploitation of the fishery. In spite of the fact that the current (2018) fishery reference situation had not exceeded optimum level yet, the trends revealed that, in the past years the fishery had experienced gross economic overfishing. The poor economic conditions forced most of the fishers to move out of the fishery, thereby reaching the current reference point. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities (e.g. Saiko) and high cost of fuel (marine gas oil) have been the major challenges impeding the proper management of the fishery, putting the fishery at the verge of vulnerability against changing climatic and economic conditions. Hence, the current study calls for policy intervention to rescue the stock from the existing high fishing pressure that would lead to depletion. xv,192p:, ill. Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11868 2021-11-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11795 Assessing the sustainability of wetland-based livelihoods in the keta lagoon complex ramsar site (klcrs) of volta region in ghana Prah, Prince The study assessed livelihood activities undertaken within the KLCRS in order to ascertain how sustainable these livelihoods were amidst the reported high levels of anthropogenic pressure on the wetland. An exploratory sequential mixed method research design guided this study. In-depth interviews and structured interviews questionnaires were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data respectively. Descriptive statistics was performed to determine livelihood assets available in KLCRS. With the use of Principal Component Analysis, the factors that determine livelihood options, the vulnerability context within which these livelihoods were situated, as well as the livelihood outcomes were explored. The findings of the study showed that residents within KLCRS largely depended on natural capital to source and enhance their livelihoods. It was also found that physiological factors were largely responsible for explaining respondents’ choice of livelihood. Also, the livelihood outcomes of residents were found to be environmentally unsustainable. It is recommended that Government in collaboration with traditional leaders of communities within Ghana’s Ramsar sites work at getting a scheme where all users of wetland-resources are registered and a means of managing and monitoring livelihood activities clearly mapped out to ensure the wise use of resources within Ghana’s Ramsar sites. xi,150p; , ill. Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11795 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11779 Assessment Of Benthic Macroinvertebrates Biodiversity Within The Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site TUFFOUR, DORMARINE KWABOAH This study was aimed at conducting ecological assessment of the benthic macroinvertebrates biodiversity within the Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site (KLCRS). This was done by assessing macroinvertebrates biodiversity, water and sediment quality and evaluating the interactions among these parameters. Environmental and biological samples were collected from five communities (Anloga, Tegbi, Havedzi, Fiaxor and Atiavi) within the KLCRS from January to July, 2022. Water physicochemical parameters were measured in situ using appropriate meters, whereas pesticides, nutrients, sediment particle sizes and organic matter determinations, as well as benthic macroinvertebrates identification were done in the laboratory. Canonical Correlation Analysis was used to determine the influence of the environmental parameters and the abundance of the benthic macroinvertebrates. Twenty four (24) species were recorded in the five communities. Four taxonomic groups namely; Polychaeta, Mollusca, Crustacea and Insecta of benthic macroinvertebrates were identified. The least number of species was encountered in Atiavi (13 species), followed by Anloga (15 species), Fiaxor (16 species) Havedzi (17 species) and Tegbi (19 species). Havedzi had a more diverse assemblages of organisms followed by Anloga, Fiaxor, Atiavi and Fiaxor. For water quality measurements, conductivity, total dissolved solids and dissolved oxygen were within the levels whereas nitrate and phosphate were above the levels recommended for aquatic environments. For sediment quality measurements, nitrate and phosphate were above the levels recommended for aquatic environments. Environmental parameters that significantly affected the abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates were nitrate, organic matter and pH. xiv,126p:, ill Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11779 2023-02-01T00:00:00Z