Abstract
The fish abundance and distribution of Stubbs Creek were examined in order to provide information for the management and sustainable exploitation of the ecosystem services. Fish samples obtained from the fishermen landing sites were identified using FAO species identification guide. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Species diversity and community abundance were determined using Shannon-Weiver diversity index (H) and Margalef's species richness (d). Twenty nine fish species, twenty two genera in nineteen families and eight orders were identified from the three landing stations during the study. Station 1 (Iwokpom) recorded the highest taxa (24) consisting of 993 fishes (43.14%) of the total catch. Landing site 2 (Iwuchang) and 3 (Ubenekang) both recorded 22 taxa each comprising 556 (24.15%) and 753 (32.71%) fishes, respectively. Iwokpom recorded the highest diversity in fish species d = 3.333, but the lowest general ecosystem diversity (H = 2.781). Ubenekang (Station 3) had the lowest species richness d = 3.17, but recorded the highest biodiversity (H = 2.839) in the study. Evenness was generally high among the stations but Iwopom recorded the lowest value of e = 0.6722 and Ubenekang had the highest, e = 0.7769. Iwuchang (Station 2) came next to Iwopon in species richness d = 3.322, but was next to Ubenekang in general diversity (H = 2.833) and evenness e = 0.7725, respectively. The present study indicated that stub creek is rich in fish biodiversity. Therefore users of this water body should maintain responsible fishing activities in order to conserve this biodiversity.
Highlights
Fish constitute the most abundant and valuable pelagic animals in the aquatic environment, and plays a key role in most natural food webs (Dobson and Frid, 2009)
The present study indicated that stub creek is rich in fish biodiversity
Twenty two genera in nineteen families and eight orders were identified from the three landing stations during the study
Summary
Fish constitute the most abundant and valuable pelagic animals in the aquatic environment, and plays a key role in most natural food webs (Dobson and Frid, 2009). The. Niger Delta region is endowed with a large network of rivers, streams, wetlands and reservoirs as well as brackish water in lagoons and coastal creeks which provide suitable habitats for fish (Usman et al, 2014). Fisheries contribute significantly to food security by providing the primary source of animal protein, assist in poverty alleviation and serve. Fisheries resources in the Niger Delta coastal communities including. Ibeno have been found to be of great economic importance Exploitation of these aquatic resources has been on the increase due to population increase and the demand for protein by man (Oluwasi-Peters and Ajibare, 2014). According to Oguntade et al (2014), fisheries resources are on the decline in the Niger Delta and this they have attributed to over-exploitation and inadequate management of the coastal ecosystems.
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