PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF AQUACULTURE POTENTIALS OF MANGROVE OYSTER (CRASSOSTREA GASAR) IN ARID ZONE NIGERIA.

The need for aquaculture intensification and expansion for sustainable production of rich protein means that there is the need to turn to the living resources of the adjacent sea, creek waters and inland water bodies mostly shell fish species. The tide of public opinion needs to be turned to the culture of mollusk which offers great potentials both as a rich protein source and as a source of income. In time past Mangrove Oysters known as lesser fishery resource was either invisible or ignored, but should now be seen as an extractive industry with a proud renewable potential and thus sustainable way of making a living. This survey is aimed at establishing the potential culture of oyster on River Yobe. Water quality parameters of importance were accessed which include water depth, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and freedom from pollution. Basic requirements of culture area are the same for fish farming. Facilities for culture are inexpensive and can be easily made using local materials. Most important to establishing an oyster farm is the correct placing of collectors and adequacy of harvesting as they thrive successfully without formulated diets and concludes that salinity has no effect on growth and survival since the study area is a freshwater environment.