Assessment of Fish-Cage Culture and Fish-Production Potentials of Shiroro Lake In Niger State, Nigeria, using a Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing

Abstract

This study examines the application of a geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing to assess aquaculture and fish-production potentials of Shiroro Lake, by integrating physico-chemical parameters into the GIS. This also involved identifying and estimating potential areas for aquaculture development. To provide focus for the study, five sampling sites (stations) were selected within the lake basin. Multispectral-band satellite imaging was used to detect suitable areas of the lake for aquaculture and fish production. The suitability ratings, based on the ideal ranges of all the physico-chemical data obtained from the survey, identified station IV (River Dinya junction) as the most suitable site for aquaculture, station I (Dam Crest) as suitable, station V (River Munya junction) as moderately suitable, but stations II (River Kaduna junction) and III (River Sarkin Pawa junction) as unsuitable.