Evaluation of Pond Management Regimes of Fish Farmers: the Case Study in Tolon Fisheries Zone, Ghana

Abstract

During the last decade, capture fisheries production from capture fisheries has been on the decline. Fish farming has been preferred as an alternative to meet fish requirements. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the effect of different pond management regimes on water quality parameters and the resultant effect on the production and profitability of fish farming in the Northern Region, Ghana. A total of 10 fish farmers were selected randomly for the study of pond management regimes and 5 fish ponds were chosen purposively for the water quality and profitability analyses. The study revealed that the highest concentration of fish farmers (50%) was in the Tamale Metropolis. The dominant type of fish holding facility was tank (70%) whiles pond constitutes 30%. The study revealed that 56% of the fish farmers use pelleted feed whiles 22% use both pelleted and powdered feed. The results also revealed that 60% use pipe-borne water for fish farming while 40% of the fish farmers had a dam as a source of water. The study indicated a positive relationship between feeding frequency and the concentration of dissolved oxygen.