Exploitable socio-economic benefits of mangrove oyster culture to the people of Niger Delta
The Niger Delta, a 30,000 km2 wetland of global ecological significance is located at the southernmost part of Nigeria. The Delta is dissected by a dense network of rivers and creeks of saline and freshwater surface bodies. The brackish water (saline) sector consists of estuaries and intertidal mangrove swamps; the total brackish water area for the Niger Delta estimated at about 7,415 km2. The mangrove oysters grow chiefly in brackish water creeks of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, found attached to the aerial roots of the mangrove Rhizophora racemosa (Red mangrove). Mangroves are salt-tolerant evergreen forests found along sheltered coastlines, shallow-water lagoons, estuaries, rivers or deltas; stands stretching 30-40 km inland with an estimated area of 997, 700 ha in Nigeria. Aquaculture has an important role in the development of many national economies and plays a key role in rural development. The abundance of a natural population of mangrove oysters in the Niger Delta makes seed collectors and growing easier and inexpensive. The culture of mangrove oysters by the locals will contribute significantly to economic growth, increases income and food security, efficient utilization of surplus rural labour and reduced social problems, poverty alleviation, and social stability. This paper enumerates the culture and socio-economic benefits derivable from the practice of aquaculture through the sustainable culture of the native mangrove oysters.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | conference_item biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
FISON
2012
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| Subjects: | Aquaculture, Sociology, Nigeria, Niger Delta, Crassostrea gasar, Mangrove swamp, Communities, Household income, Oyster culture Filter feeding, brackishwater environment, Oyster culture, Economic benefits, Exploitation, Mangrove swamps, Population number, Food security, Utilization, Socioeconomic aspects, Sustainable fishing, Shellfish culture, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/38771 |
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