Indigenous knowledge of shrimps and prawn species and fishing of the Benue and Niger river (middle – belt savannah) – Nigeria.

Abstract

The study was carried out in 3 – state of Nigeria, Benue, Kogi and Niger with the following towns as the study areas Makurdi, Idah , Ganaja and Jebba. The major objective of this study was to have knowledge on the socio – economic indices, fishing gear, local name and fishing methods involved in shrimp fishing in the 3 states. Data on the socio – economic indices of the fisher folk’s were obtained through structured questionnaires and personal interviews. The data obtained revealed that shrimp fishing was mostly the profession of the young persons (Age 21 – 40 years) and the educational level of the fisher folks was high in the 3 study area with most of the fisher folks attaining mostly up to secondary school education and tertiary education in the areas. Ganaja having a value of 57.14% of fisher folks that attained tertiary education, 69.23% as the highest value of fisher folk’s that attain secondary school in Idah and 46.15% as the highest value of fisher folk’s that attain primary school education in Makurdi. The fishing method employed commonly in the areas of study was the use of basket and sticks and the use of fishing traps. The shrimps were sold at varying prices ranging from ₦120.00 per milk cup ₦5,000.00 for half a big basin in the study areas.