Challenges of Disease Management in Small Scale Fish Farms in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examined diseases prevalence, treatment and management problems in small-scale fish farms in Lagos State, Nigeria. Snowball sampling technique was used to select seventy two (72) fish farmers from two local governments in the state. Data were collected using structured interview schedule, camera and tape recorder. Percentage, mean scores and standard deviation were the statistical tools used for data presentation and analysis. Results show that water pollution (76.4%) was the major cause of disease in farms. The prevalent diseases reported by farmers were  fin and tail rot (75.1%), ichtyophthirius (white disease) (66.4%), head and lateral line erosion (HLLE) (55.1%), and swim bladder disease (53.8%). The farmers used both traditional and orthodox measures in treating the diseases. The major challenges to health management in farms were poor access to good water sources, increase causal agents, scarcity/poor access to drugs and purchase of adulterated drugs. The study recommends that agricultural development agency should strengthen technical assistance and advisory services to farmers. Also, agencies like Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), State Department of Fisheries (SDF)) among others should strategically organize seminars, workshops, conferences and advisory service particularly in times of outbreak to combat spread and broaden knowledge and skills of fish farmers on safe disease treatment and health management practices. Farmers should be mobilized and encouraged to form and join groups to ameliorate some of the constraints to effective health management and foster cooperate learning and innovation in fish farming.