Estimating fish stocking densities using Landsat imagery and Geographic Information Systems

Abstract

Fisheries and aquaculture in artificial or natural impoundments (small water bodies) in the Minna region of Niger State, Nigeria, appear to have excellent development potential if suitably identified and analyzed. Using 2005 LANDSAT imagery, ten water bodies were identified in the region and the surface area of each was calculated. Their total surface area was 4,767, 621.643 square meters (m2). Using an assumed upper rate of 5 fish m-2 and a lower rate of 3 fish m-2, an estimate of catfish-stocking potential was calculated for each of the water bodies. A total potential carrying capacity of 24million catfish for high-density stocking and 14 Million catfish for low-density stocking was predicted. An overall map of the identified water bodies was produced showing their shapes and the co-ordinates of each were identified by global positioning system. The total-stocking-density estimates revealed that tonnes of fish could potentially be produced in the Minna region. The result also served as a database on water bodies in the region.