African Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management https://journals.ui.edu.ng/index.php/ajfarm <p>This journal will provide an international forum for the publication of papers in the areas of fisheries and aquaculture sciences, technology, management, and relevant socio-economic, cultural, and literary studies related to fisheries and aquaculture. The scope would cover fisheries and aquaculture in fresh, brackish, and saltwater systems, and all aspects of associated ecology, environment, husbandry, nutrition, economics, pollution, and cross-sectoral issues. Both theoretical and practical papers are acceptable, including laboratory and field experimental studies relevant to fisheries and aquaculture. Papers on the conservation of exploitable living resources are welcome Review and viewpoint articles would are also published. As the specified areas inevitably impinge on and interrelate with each other, the approach of the journal would be multidisciplinary, and authors Should be encouraged to emphasize the relevance of their own work to that of other disciplines The journal is intended for fisheries, biological, and aquaculture scientists, technologists, economists, managers administrators, managers, administrators, policymakers, legislators and any periods with research with interested to studies</p> Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management en-US African Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Optimization of Paddle Wheel Aerator Parameters for Enhanced Aquaculture Water Quality Using Response Surface Methodology Techniques https://journals.ui.edu.ng/index.php/ajfarm/article/view/1868 <p>Water quality plays a pivotal role in the efficient management of aquaculture systems, particularly<br>through the regulation of dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. This study focuses on the<br>modification and performance evaluation of a locally fabricated mechanical paddle wheel<br>aerator for optimizing fish pond agitation and oxygenation. Key operational parameters<br>investigated include rotational speed (300–600 rpm), paddle submersion depth (0.1–0.2<br>m), and inclination angle (15°–45°). The aerator was tested in a 2,000 L concrete pond<br>(1×2×1 m) with a stocking density of 300 fish/m³ using unsteady-state aeration tests. Results<br>were statistically analyzed using Design Expert Software (2022) with ANOVA at p&lt;<br>0.05. Maximum Standard Aeration Efficiency (SAE) of 5.856 kg O/kWh was achieved at<br>450 rpm, 0.2 m depth, and 45° inclination, while the highest Standard Oxygen Transfer<br>Rate (SOTR) was 5.656 kg O/h at 600 rpm. The findings demonstrate that optimized paddle<br>wheel design and configuration significantly improve aeration performance, offering a<br>cost-effective solution for enhancing water quality in pond-based aquaculture systems.</p> O. B. ODUNTAN Copyright (c) 2025 African Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management 2025-09-22 2025-09-22 7 1 Implementation of the FAO Port State Measures Agreement in Combating IUU Fishing in West Africa: The Case of Nigeria https://journals.ui.edu.ng/index.php/ajfarm/article/view/1864 <p>Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens marine resources, food security,<br>and governance in West Africa, where an estimated 37% of fish harvests are illicit.<br>The FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), adopted in 2009, is the first binding international<br>treaty to combat IUU fishing by restricting port access, mandating inspections,<br>and promoting information sharing. Nigeria’s accession in October 2022 was a milestone<br>for regional compliance, closing a critical enforcement gap within the Fisheries Committee<br>for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC). This study applies a governance implementation<br>framework, grounded in institutional and compliance theory, to assess Nigeria’s<br>progress through legal alignment, institutional capacity, and operational readiness.<br>Content analysis of legislation, policy documents, and institutional arrangements shows<br>early reforms, including a draft Fisheries Bill, designation of entry ports, and pilot inspections.<br>However, significant challenges remain: outdated laws, limited inspectorate<br>resources, fragmented interagency coordination, and weak integration with FAO’s Global<br>Information Exchange System (GIES). Nigeria is therefore positioned as a proactive but<br>capacity-limited PSMA Party. Sustained reforms, institutional investment, technological<br>modernization, and stronger regional cooperation are essential to operationalize commitments,<br>strengthen fisheries governance, and enhanceWest Africa’s deterrence against IUU<br>fishing.<br><br></p> Y. E. AGBEJA Copyright (c) 2025 African Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management 2025-09-22 2025-09-22 7 1 Design and Assessment of Heat Exchanger Parameters for Thermal Efficiency in Fish Smoking Kiln https://journals.ui.edu.ng/index.php/ajfarm/article/view/1871 <p>Efficient thermal management in fish smoking kilns is essential for enhancing product quality,<br>optimizing fuel consumption, and promoting operational sustainability. Conventional<br>kiln systems frequently suffer from inconsistent heat retention and poor energy utilization<br>due to suboptimal heat exchanger configurations. This study evaluates the influence<br>of three key parameters—blower speed (650, 725, and 800 rpm), number of open pipe<br>inlets (5, 10, and 15), and insulation material (sawdust, clay, and fiber) on the thermal<br>performance of a locally fabricated heat exchanger integrated into a fish smoking kiln. A<br>Response Surface Methodology (RSM)-based central composite design was employed to<br>structure a 20-run experimental matrix, allowing for systematic interaction analysis between<br>design variables. Airflow rate measurements were taken at the exhaust outlet of<br>the heat exchanger to ensure consistent thermal load evaluation. Statistical analysis using<br>ANOVA revealed significant effects (p &lt; 0.01) of blower speed and insulation type on outlet<br>air temperature, with the maximum temperature of 96?C achieved at 800 rpm, 15 open<br>pipes, and fiber insulation. Additionally, airflow rate was strongly influenced by both linear<br>and quadratic terms of blower speed and pipe configuration, with adjusted R2 = 0.995<br>and Adequate Precision = 79.48, indicating model robustness. This work distinguishes<br>itself from previous studies by integrating cost-effective materials, a scalable exchanger<br>design, and a quantitative optimization framework for kiln retrofitting. Its adaptability to<br>diverse kiln geometries and biomass fuel types underscores its potential for widespread<br>application across artisanal and semi-industrial fish processing facilities. These findings<br>offer a replicable pathway for transitioning traditional fish smoking systems toward higher<br>thermal efficiency and environmental compliance.</p> O. B. ODUNTAN Copyright (c) 2025 African Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management 2025-09-22 2025-09-22 7 1 Advancing Integrated Fish Farming in Nigeria: Climate-Smart Innovations and Policy Strategies https://journals.ui.edu.ng/index.php/ajfarm/article/view/1886 <p>Nigeria faces a significant gap between fish demand and domestic supply, with imports covering nearly half of consumption. Integrated fish farming offers a pathway to expand production while addressing resource and environmental challenges. This study applies an evidence-based policy analysis of scholarly, institutional, and grey literature published up to 2022. Using the Climate-Smart Aquaculture (CSAq) framework, supported by institutional and diffusion of innovation theories, it assesses both the benefits of emerging technologies and the conditions influencing their adoption. Results show that solar-powered aeration, biofloc systems, and aquaponics can lower costs, improve resilience to climate variability, and reduce environmental impacts. Yet uptake is constrained by limited finance, weak extension support, and inadequate regulatory incentives. The study concludes that targeted reforms in credit access, extension training, and sustainability-focused regulations are essential to scale these innovations. Strengthening such enablers would reduce Nigeria’s fish deficit, enhance food security, and align aquaculture with climate adaptation priorities.</p> Y. E. AGBEJA Copyright (c) 2025 African Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management 2025-10-02 2025-10-02 7 1