1. FISH HARVESTING AND MARKETING
I LOVE FISH
FISH HARVESTING AND MARKETING
By:
Mrs N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)
Senior Lecturer,
Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, College of Environmental Resources Management, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

2. HARVESTING
Though fish farming is increasing, fishing represents the last major exploitation of wild populations by mankind
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

3. Fishing/Harvesting mean removals of fishes from water
Fishing/Harvesting mean removals of fishes from water. Equipments for fishing are called fishing gears. The types of fishing gear used and the way they are operated in Nigeria are controlled by various factors.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

4. Fishing methods in Nigeria could be classified into many types namely;
Gill net Passive netting
Trammel net Passive netting
Cast net Active netting
Beach seine net Active
Beating method net Active
Hand net Active
Lift net Active
Drift net Passive
Clap Active
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

5. Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)K
Numbers
Time 1 2 3
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

6. Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)
Based upon:
1. the harvest rate
2. the recruitment rate of new (young) fish into the population
a population can be harvested at the point in their population growth rate where it is highest (the exponential phase)
Harvesting (output) balances recruitment (input)
Fixed fishing quotas will produce a constant harvesting rate (i.e. a constant number of individuals fished in a given period of time)
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

7. Declining natural supplies, increasing human population, and pollution provide the demand for growth in the aquaculture industry.
Photo by David Heikes courtesy of USDA Agricultural Research Service.

8. MARKET
A market is where we buy and sell or where buyers and sellers need to exchange commodities.
A market could be visible or invisible, however classification can be done based on different criteria
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

9. On the basis of area: These are
Local market
National market
International market
On the basis of Time:
Very short period (for perishable goods as fish, vegetables etc) where transaction makes place within a short time. Supply is always equal to demand in such markets.
Short period- where demand always exceed supply during the transaction period.
long period- All demand are satisfied, demand and supply curves are more elastic.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

10. On the basis of business:
Wholesale Market – This is bulk purchaser and distribution. Usually between the fisherfolks and the mammy women who pay and collect smoked/dried fish in bulk
Retail Market – Linked directly to the consumers. In the fishery sector its usually the last link between the numerous fish mongers and the consumers. This market creates more of possession utility.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

11. On the basis of operation:
Primary market
Secondary market
Terminal market
On the basis of goods dealt with:
Produce exchange
Manufactured or semi-manufactured food market.
Bullion market.
Input market
Capital market
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

12. E.g. Shrimp market could be domestic or foreign.
In the fisheries sector, there exists differentiation of good such as fresh fish, smoked fish, marine fresh, marine frozen etc. individual goods and their forms constitute a market.
E.g. Shrimp market could be domestic or foreign.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

13. UTILITIES
In the fisheries sector creation of utilities is a major function of the production process. These usefulness or utilities include:
Form utility: This occur when fish is transformed to finished products. This involves a radical change in appearance and other characteristics. E.g. geisha tin of fish.
Time utility: This is added when the products are stored from harvesting until needed for consumption, or when the retailers store the fish as collected till when sold on market days.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

14. Place utility: This is accentuated by rail, road or boat, which transports the fish from one point to another where it would consumed.
Possession Utility: This is the final utility. It is added when its ownership is transferred to the final owner or consumer, or to some one in the marketing chain, who may create other utilities as it passes from him to the final consumers.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

15. Processed by middlemen (Smoking Home use
Fish Catch Distribution Channels of Fish in some selected parts in Nigeria.
Fish Catch
Processed by middlemen
(Smoking
Home use
Fish Merchants
Consumers
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

16. Structure of Banda Marketing
Fisherman catch
Itinerant Fish trader
Consumer
Fishing Village
Collecting Centres on the lake shore
Major wholesale centre
Other parts of the nation
Processed Fish
Processed and stored Fish
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

17. CONSTRAINTS TO AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT
Poor quality fish seed
Lack of cost effective fish feed
Poaching lack of capital
Unstable government and effective government policies.
Faulty data collection
Lack of environmental impact consideration, and
Poor marketing structure.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

18. There are many opportunities, and challenges, for the small-scale aquaculture farmer!

19. Poor Quality Fish Seed
Farmers have to travel long distances to source for fingerlings or collect from the open waters.
In some cases, fingerlings of poor genetic quality are produced for farmers to grow
some hatcheries sell advanced fry as fingerlings. This has resulted in stunted growth of fish, poor survival rate, and power returns on investment
Aquaculture is yet to fully exploit the potential of genetics in improving fish seed production in Nigeria.
Most of the fish farmers producing fingerlings are not knowledgeable on methods of fish selection and genetic manipulation which can improve fish performance without adversely affecting biodiversity
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

20. High Cost of Fish Feed
Good-quality fish feed pallets are sparingly used by fish farmers.
This is due to high cost of most fish feed ingredients particularly fish meal and its competitive use by livestock farmers.
There are also few commercial fish feed producers in Nigeria, a lot of farmers depend on imported quality fish feeds which are expensive and not affordable.
This increases their cost of production and reduces their profit margins.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

21. Poaching
This is becoming a serious problem to the development of aquaculture in Nigeria.
Many farmers have lost substantial, if not all stocks to poachers.
As a result of this, many fish farms have closed down while many more farmers have run into debt.
This has also prevented lending agencies from giving out loans to genuine fish farmers. The overall effects is a decrease in fish production.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

22. Lack of Capital
Many fish farmers lack adequate capital to either run their farms profitably or expand them.
The situation is made difficult by the unwillingness of financial institutions to grant loans to the farmers.
When loans are given. It is usually at very high interest rates.
Government should therefore encourage financial institutions to give loans to serious-minded would be investors at interest rates of 9% but with proper monitoring. This will help to increase farmers production levels and profitability.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

23. Unstable Government and Defective Government policies
The Nigeria Government has not shown serious commitment to research in respect of improving aquaculture production in Nigeria.
Although there are two fisheries research institute in Nigeria (NIOMR and NIFFR) and several universities where fisheries is being taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, poor funding of these institutes and universities is an indication of unseriousness on the part of government toward improved aquaculture production,
Aquaculture cannot develop without adequate research, even when research are carried out most of the findings are nor communicated to the farmers at all or at the right time.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

24. Faulty Data Collection
There is no adequate record keeping of aquaculture production in Nigeria.
Most fish farmers do no keep records of their yearly production.
The situation is compounded by lack of motivation and provision of necessary resources for both the federal and state Departments of Fisheries which are supposed to educate farmers on the need for record-keeping and collation of production data from the farms.
There are therefore, no accurate seasonal records for projections of aquaculture production.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

25. Lack of Environmental Impact Consideration
The environmental impact of most fish farms in Nigeria on the neighborhoods and vice-versa has not been assessed.
Many fish farms releases their effluent into the environment without considering its impact.
Water from polluted streams and rivers are also used as sources of water for fish farms. This has resulted in poor water quality and in many fish farms. Hence, poor growth rate, and/or mass mortality of fish in some cases.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

26. Marketing of Aquaculture products
Marketing of aquaculture products is becoming a problem in Nigeria.
This is not because the supply is in excess of demand but because of uncoordinated marketing programmes.
Many farmers sell their fish in fresh form to middle-men at very low prices.
There is therefore, the need for networking and marketing information among fish farmers, processors and consumers on availability of fish and current market prices all over the country to prevent the farmer from being ripped- off.
The quality control of such products should be ensured by regulatory agencies.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

27. MARKETING SCHEME MARKETING OF FINGERLINGS
The marketing of fry and fingerlings produced or marketed through a fish farm is specialized enterprise. In this undertaking, various methods may be employed to hold the fish, count them and package them for onward transportation to the customer.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

28. HOLDING FACILITY
Prior to transportation, it is necessary to hold seed fish for at least 24 hours in order for the fish to empty their guts, and become partially acclimated to being held in the crowded conditions prevalent during transportation.
To facilitate this, various types of holding facilities may be used. These range from a hapa-like net made of plastic or small mesh net (10 mm) suspended in a pond, stream, or reservoir. to concrete or fibre glass tanks in a re-circulating system
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

29. COUNTING
Fry and fingerlings are best counted after they have been given sufficient time to recover from the stress of being caught from the nursery pond, i.e. at least twelve hours later.
After the recuperation period, The fish should be counted into another container ready for collection.
Maltreatment of very young fish must be avoided, as losses tend to escalate.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

30. TRANSPORT
In the farmers case, liability for losses in transit rests very firmly with the transporters, while in the latter case, the client is more responsible for his fish.
When the fish breeder delivers the fingerlings to the client, he is obliged to accept responsibility for any losses within twelve hours of stocking the fish, therefore he should be prepared to check the clients pond water quality before stocking the fingerlings.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

31. MARKETING OF TABLE FISH
it will soon be necessary for producers, processors and marketers to properly co-ordinate their activities to ensure the success of the industry through sustained and profitable growth.
Seven important factors have been identified as crucial and therefore should be regarded as the points of focus: identity, price, quality, versatility, regular supply, advertising and new products.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

32. IDENTITY
In order to develop the market for fish farm produce, their is need for personnel in the industry with extensive knowledge of marketing and who are result-oriented and self motivated.
These personnel will have the task of establishing and identity for produce of fish farms.
One of the greatest marketing advantages of fish over other food is the high nutritional quality.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

33. MARKET STRUCTURE (PRICE AND QUALITY)
As there is a general lack of storage facilities in these countries (especially in Nigeria), a large proportion of the catch, sometimes up to 50%, perish at peak periods in artisanal fisheries.
Thus, for pond reared fish, as well as fish caught in the wild, there is need to dispose of the stock early on the day it is harvested.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

34. Smoking is the favoured form of preservation, especially where availability of firewood is not a constraint.
In places where smoking is too expensive, salt drying is sometimes employed.
However, in some countries, fishermen co-operatives transport their catches in refrigerated trucks to government cold stores where they are sold gradually to the public and the co-operatives maximise their profits.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

35. Naturally, retailing fetches more or higher income, but there is need for holding and storage facilities and therefore considerable investment on infrastructure.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

36. VERSATILITY:
Fish must be prepared in a variety of forms to meet the demands of consumers as both whole fish and fillets.
Whole fish are prepared in some traditional dishes like stews and pepper soups while fillets are used in fast food outlets and restaurants.
Fresh fish will probably be in demand by most consumers, as icing and freezing often are the most significant technological advance permitting the development of market far removed from fish farms.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

37. REGULAR SUPPLY
The lack of a year-round supply is currently the greatest problem for any food products in the supermarkets.
Due to the present uncoordinated practices, fish are usually harvested at the same time. This results in abundance of fish over a short period, followed by wholly inadequate supplies.
This situation makes it extremely difficult for processors or large retail outlets to operate effectively and results in chaotic marketing practices.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

38. A year-round supply of fish is required to sustain and increase sales,
The comments apply to the fish supplied to restaurants and feast food outlets.
A year-round supply of fish is required to sustain and increase sales,
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

39. ADVERTISING
In time, aquaculturists will need to form themselves into production groups such as catfish farmers, carps farmers, tilapia farmers and shrimps farmers, and be prepared to advertise their products.
Co-operation with restaurants and supermarkets on special promotions and point of sale advertisement drives will be of some value.
These drives are especially valuable when expanding outside current marketing areas.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

40. NEW PRODUCTS
Cultured fish can be used for the preparation of processed fish dishes as readily as their wild counterparts.
As the supply of cultured fish increases, new product form will become desirable in order to create expanded markets.
For development of new products, economics department and food processors will be required to utilize their information to expand product lines.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

41. MAJOR PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH VARIOUS KINDS OF FISHERY DEVELOPMENT
In most of the less advanced countries, the development of food resources must precede the development of diversified industry.
The fishery resources may be relatively much less important in the more-advanced countries
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

42. END USER HUMAN CONSUPTION (CONSUMER PREFERENCES)
Fresh fish per capital processed fish consumption.
Infrastructure to support distribution
Demographic distribution of demand
Price income elasticity
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

43. EXPERT Markets Foreign participants and control
Quality control of importers
 A well due port with cold storage, ice and freezing facilities attracts a large fishing fleet and have more highly developed and sophisticated fish market, the method of storing the catch affects marketing condition.
Catch may be shared by crew members to trade through his own trading outlet, female mammys(middle men) can buy in small scale, fish smoking may come in.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

44. THE EFFECT OF MARKETING CONSTRAINTS ON PRODUCTION
A study of fish marketing and processing is important because the constraints they generate can impede fisheries development
There are a lot of marine resources which have not yet found an acceptable market e.g krill, mesopelagic fish and other by catches
Through Technology the appearance of such naturally uncommon, unattractive species can be transformed to fish products.
Makes all the wastage attractive and acceptable for consumers.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

45. The system of domestic marketing and distribution may not be efficient and may cause constraints on production
the distribution chain may be exercising monopolistic controls which are effectively reduced price paid to the fisherman and increased price charged to consumers so that less is produced & demand than would occur under comprehensive conditions.
The difficulty of entering foreign markets may affect production badly.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

46. MARKETING OF FISH PRODUCTS
To make fish available to consumers at the right time and in the right place requires an effective marketing system.
Fishermen who catch fish by labouring overnight (from common-property water bodies) do not usually sell fish in retail markets. At the break of day.
They take their catches to place where retailers meet them and bargain by lot.
At the landing point, the number of intermediaries is low. Only one or two intermediaries may approach a fisherman.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

47. CATCH PER UNIT OF EFFORT
CPUE. The quantity of fish caught (in number or in weight) with one standard unit of fishing effort;
e.g. number of fish taken per 1000 hooks per day or weight of fish, in tons, taken per hour of trawling.
CPUE is often considered an index of fish biomass (or abundance).
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

48. MARKET PRICE DETERMINATION
When buyers and sellers come into a market, each buyer has in mind the maximum price he will pay for a good,
while each seller, on his part, has determined on a minimum price.
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

49. Further readings
Olokor, J.O., J.A. Ihuahi, F.S. Omojowo, B.A. Falayi and E.O. Adeowo (2007). Hand book of Practical Fisheries Technology. Fisheries Technology Division, Remi-Thomas Press
Eyo, A. A. (2001). Fish Processing Technology in the Tropics. University of Ilorin Press
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)

50. THANK YOU
Harvesting and Marketing of Fish
N. B. IKENWEIWE (PhD)