Sustainable Fisheries and Diversity in River Fete, Benue State, Nigeria

The fish diversity of River Fete, Benue State, Nigeria was investigated monthly between January to December, 2016 to determine its status, management strategies as well as providing a base line data for monitoring anthropogenic changes prompted by human induced factors and river aging. Fish samples were collected from artisanal fisher men using cast nets, lift nets and traps. Two way ANOVA was used to analyze the result using GLM procedures of the statistical analysis system (SAS). The result showed that 28 fish species belonging to 23 families were recorded from the river. The family Cichlidae dominated the fish population of the river followed by Mormyridae and Bagridae which were both represented by four species each. Other families such as Claridae, Cyprinidae, Citharinidae and Mockokidae were represented by two species. About six families identified recorded only one species of fish, these include; Characidae, Malapteruridae, Gymnarchidae, Centropomidae, Lepidoserinidae and Osteoglosidae. Significant variations were observed in the fish diversity by season and stations with most of the species being highly abundant in wet season. The hydrology, water residence time, precipitation, evaporation and bedrock chemistry were some of the factors identified to influence the variations. H. niloticus and Barbus occidentalis were two fish species found to be endangered and which need conservation. Various management strategies such as stocking of indigenous fish species, implementation of fishing regulations, periodic limnological monitoring and adoption of best limnological – mediated management practices were suggested for effective utilization and sustainable exploitation of the river water and its resource.