Study of fish exploitation pattern of lake Gerio, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

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An investigation was carried out on Lake Geriyo in the month of April to know the pattern of fish exploitation. The fish species sampled were mainly by using canoes as they were landed at the landing site of the lake. A total of fourteen (14) species of thirteen (13) families were discovered during the period. The total numbers of species were 1140 species and the corresponding total weights were 198 kg. The number of each species was determined by counting and the species were grouped into families. The weight of different species was also determined using the weighing balance. The number of fishermen during the period was 79 and the total numbers of canoes were 54. In the course of the study, it was discovered that the nets used by the fishermen were mostly unregulated mesh sized less than 2 inches. Most of the fish caught were undersized ranging from 0.06kg to 0.78kg. This is an evidence of overfishing. Therefore a proper management measure has to be put in place at the lake by the authority concerned. The total weight and total number of fish species encountered shows that there is fish stock depletion of the lake. The exploitation pattern at the lake Geriyo is seasonal.