Water is essential to life and is arguably our most precious resources. Water resources made up of various resources like: the water itself, animals and plants in it, and the minerals in it. These are referred to altogether as aquatic resources. These resources over the years have been tapped into in various ways to improve the standard of living of man. And the amount of the aquatic resources use in a country by its people keep increasing due to the population growth and profitable earnings got from them. The exploitation of aquatic resources increase in response to the growing of some developmental activities which include agricultural, industrial, recreational, domestic, fisheries and aquaculture, and navigation developments. All these developmental activities are what a nation can depend on for a sound outcome for her economy.1. Agricultural importance:
Aquatic resources are of great use in agriculture for many decades, aquatic resources have been given a paramount contribution to agriculture such that it increases its contribution to the present day economy. Agricultural importance of aquatic resources depends on the types of agricultural operation: cropping or livestock practices in the area. However, on a generalized basis, aquatic resources have become helpful in agriculture in various ways which include:
Irrigation -: of the large amounts of water used by agriculture, by far the greatest percentage is used for the growth of crops. Even in some of the world, the grow of any crop is dependent solely on irrigation, while in other areas it permits more profitable crops to be grown or enhances crop yield. In most countries of the world, rainfall is inadequate for cropping and boost in agricultural yield therefore for improved cropping and agricultural outputs to cater for a country population throughout the year and to encourage and improve foreign earnings. Farmers are now being encouraged to supplement water supply from rainfall by providing artificial irrigation for their crops.The key to the development of many countries lies in agriculture yield and to this irrigation has been of a great boost to agriculture yield; consequently improved standard of living. This is because there will be availability of food for household consumption and agricultural output for income generation. However, irrigation is worthwhile only where the costs of application over a period of time are covered by the increased return from the crops so grown. Also in the overview of it, irrigation serves as a source of employment either directly or indirectly for those that constructs the irrigation system and those that monitor the operation on the farms.
Source of fertilizer-: Aquatic plants accumulate large quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus in their tissues. These will therefore make them improve soil if applied as soil additives, thereby improving crop yield. The concept of biofertilizer; the growing of a minor crop that provides nutrients to a major crop, though relatively new to aquatic science; is already becoming popular. Azolla sp; a free floating fern which fixes nitrogen in a symbiotic relationship with the cyanobacterium Anabaena azollae, is widely use as a biofertilizer for rice. This has been extensively used in China to fuel rice production in waterlogged areas (Malby, 1986). Also, Ratchance (1972) describes the successful use of dried water hyacinth as a bedding material for cultivating mushroom, Volvaria sp.
Source of livestock food-: The primary value of livestock in agriculture is to convert plant materials which are unsuitable for human food into meat, hides and wools, dairy and other products. Livestock is a means of employment to those that engage in it. It also serves as a source of food such as meat, milk e.t.c. livestock improves market earning in the areas of production of meat, hides and wools, and dairy. For instance in Nigeria, the Housa people which are into cattle rearing greatly depend on this for their living and working out some international market participation for Nigeria in this area. Although in a country like Nigeria, livestock production system is predominantly nomadic and traditional yet its contribution to economy cannot be overemphasized. However, the animals depend on the natural forage legumes and grasses for sustenance but these are usually unavailable in the dry season. Thus the animals are been moved to the wetter region for suitable grazing. Also, some aquatic plants can be processed as animals’ feeds. For example, water hyacinth can be used in limited quantities in a mixture with other feeds by cattle, sheep, goats and other ruminants. Aquatic macrophytes used as fodder includes: Vossia cuspidata, Leersia hexandra, Bracharia mutica, Echinochloa pyramidalis. Also aquatic plants such as Lemna sp are fed into poultry to boost yield in Egypt.
2. Fisheries and Aquaculture:
The rearing of fish is an important and expanding part of the economy, particularly as far as the production of protein is concerned. Fish farming is carried out mainly in freshwaters or occasionally in brackish water in some tropical areas but marine fish farming is also now of importance in some parts of the world. With efficient methods and suitable conditions extremely high rates of production are possible compare with other forms of protein production.
Fisheries and aquaculture have been of great importance to a nation economy in the areas of fish production, raw materials to industries, employments, household and other purposes. Fish production in the recent years has been of importance in strengthening international relationship in terms of trade and other purposes. Nigeria Imports numbers of tons of fish annually to supplement her own domestic production. This has improved foreign income for those countries which Nigeria imports from and also allows Nigeria to be able to market her own products to those countries.
2. Fisheries and Aquaculture:
The rearing of fish is an important and expanding part of the economy, particularly as far as the production of protein is concerned. Fish farming is carried out mainly in freshwaters or occasionally in brackish water in some tropical areas but marine fish farming is also now of importance in some parts of the world. With efficient methods and suitable conditions extremely high rates of production are possible compare with other forms of protein production.
Fisheries and aquaculture have been of great importance to a nation economy in the areas of fish production, raw materials to industries, employments, household and other purposes. Fish production in the recent years has been of importance in strengthening international relationship in terms of trade and other purposes. Nigeria Imports numbers of tons of fish annually to supplement her own domestic production. This has improved foreign income for those countries which Nigeria imports from and also allows Nigeria to be able to market her own products to those countries.
Many industries of the world today depend on the various raw materials from fisheries and aquaculture for finished products. Industries such as those into leather work also make use of fish skin and other water animals’ skin for products like drums, shoes, bags, wears materials. Some industries also process and canned fish products. All these are put into household usage and market to earn domestically and internationally.
Fisheries and aquaculture sector of a nation also make use of some finished products from small and large industries like those that manufacture boats, ships, nets, and other fishing equipments. These industries have greatly provided employment opportunities for those that work in them and they have contributed greatly to the improvement of both domestic and foreign earnings thereby improving the per capita income and standard of living of a country.
Also, through fisheries and aquaculture a great deal of employments has been generated for those involved either directly or indirectly. Those into fishing gear fabrication, canoe building, also those local fishermen are gainfully employed through fisheries. For example in Nigeria those in River Niger area involve themselves in activities like canoe building, net fabrication, and fishing and fish sales to earn a living thereby reducing unemployment in the area. Also those that involve in the construction and operation of cold rooms get pay from it. Through all these and more exploitation of aquatic resources through fisheries and aquaculture have been able to contribute greatly to the reduction in the level of unemployment and to the improvement in income earnings.
Also, those involve in shrimps, corals e.t.c. production help in food production and also earn living from it. In the USA and Japan, oysters are provided on a considerable scale. Also, in Europe the husbandry of mussels in the bay of Vigo, Spain, is of economic importance. In Japan, 230,000 tons of marketable oysters are produced annually (Meixer, 1977). All these also provide employment and income thereby boosting economy.
3. Industrial Importance:
The location of many industrial areas in the world depends on the availability of suitable water supply. Those supplies are from reservoirs, canals, lakes, rivers, estuaries or even the seas. Hopthrow (1963) estimated that in Great Britain about 35% of the public is utilized by industries, but much more than this is obtain from other sources. It is also estimated that 15% of world water use is industrial. However, major industrial users include power plants, which use water for cooling or as power source (i.e. hydroelectricity), ore and oil refineries, which use water in chemical processes, and manufacturing plant which use water as solvent. All these industries develop national economy by providing employment for both skilled and unskilled labours, producing products such as building materials, household materials, and other products for domestic and international trade. For instance in Nigeria, Kanji dam supply energy i.e. electricity at low cost to most if not all industries in Nigeria for their various operations, although, the electricity supply still need to be improved on. In Scotland, more than 30% of the electricity use is generated by hydroelectricity station (after Aitken, 1963). These hydroelectric dams also generate energy for household consumption and employment for their workers. Also in the case of Kanji dam in Nigeria, hydroelectric power supply has strengthened international relationship between Nigeria and country like Benin republic and these also yield some benefits monetarily for Nigeria.
3. Industrial Importance:
The location of many industrial areas in the world depends on the availability of suitable water supply. Those supplies are from reservoirs, canals, lakes, rivers, estuaries or even the seas. Hopthrow (1963) estimated that in Great Britain about 35% of the public is utilized by industries, but much more than this is obtain from other sources. It is also estimated that 15% of world water use is industrial. However, major industrial users include power plants, which use water for cooling or as power source (i.e. hydroelectricity), ore and oil refineries, which use water in chemical processes, and manufacturing plant which use water as solvent. All these industries develop national economy by providing employment for both skilled and unskilled labours, producing products such as building materials, household materials, and other products for domestic and international trade. For instance in Nigeria, Kanji dam supply energy i.e. electricity at low cost to most if not all industries in Nigeria for their various operations, although, the electricity supply still need to be improved on. In Scotland, more than 30% of the electricity use is generated by hydroelectricity station (after Aitken, 1963). These hydroelectric dams also generate energy for household consumption and employment for their workers. Also in the case of Kanji dam in Nigeria, hydroelectric power supply has strengthened international relationship between Nigeria and country like Benin republic and these also yield some benefits monetarily for Nigeria.
Oil refineries, like petroleum; different grades of petroleum and natural gas exist and lots of these come from the sea. Varieties of raw materials are got from petroleum to serve various industries like agro-allied, household, construction e.t.c. industries. Also, jobs for those refineries workers. In a country like Nigeria petroleum and its products have been the dependent of its economy.
Aquatic plants are of a wide range of materials that could serve the needs of innovative industries. These materials could be use for construction, matting, bedding, and pulp/paper making. In Nigeria the mature silky inflorescences of the spike of Typha australis for example, are used in stuffing pillows and mattresses and the fragrant dry tuber of Cyperus maculates is sold in northern Nigeria as perfume. In some countries mangroves are being exploitated and shipped for pulp and particle board. Also, aquatic plants like Nypa fruticans yields alcohol, sugar and vinegar (Maltby, 1986). Ola-Adams (1990) affirmed the use of Phoenix rectinata in the weaving of mats, sieves and bags and these are now gaining internationally recognition in the area of art and culture. Aquatic plants also make available alternative raw materials to industries, for example; Laguncularia racemosa yields timbers, tannin and dyeing materials for paper, hides and textile industries.
4. Navigation importance:
Inland water systems have always been of importance for human transport from earliest times, now adequate navigation channels for large vessels coming from sea to inland ports are of great importance to industries and commerce of a nation. Transport via waters is important economically in the area of importation and exportation of goods and international relationship. Unlike before, now substantial investments are being directed to water ways to expand the natural navigable systems, thus, enabling ships to pass from sea port right into inland industrial areas. These development and canalization of water ways have proved successful in many countries. For example in North America, the St. Lawrence sea way, with only seven locks, developed traffic of over twenty million tonnes per year within three years (Marsh, 1963). Also water ways have helped in the haulage of some goods and industrial products that are difficult to be transported by road or air to various destinations in the world. Ports are also built on seas to facilitate foreign trades and generate income for the government. Also those ports provide employments for enormous number of people.
5. Recreational/Tourism Importance:
The increasing human population and their affection for leisure and pleasure have placed an enormous demand on natural resources for recreational purpose. This is especially true for water bodies which are often the focus for variety of recreational activities such as sailing, power-boating, water skiing, general picnicking, relaxation and angling.
However, among these recreational activities, angling (i.e. sport fishing) is highly economical in terms of domestic and foreign earnings. Sport fishing attracts tourists from all over the world. Moreover, today fishing for fun is of continental focus and even great investments are put into it by individuals and government for better income yield. For example, in Nigeria the Argugun fishing festival of Kebbi state attracts tourists from all over the world to Nigeria. This does not only strengthen international relationship, it also attracts foreign investors and even the anglers win laurels which are of monetary value.
4. Navigation importance:
Inland water systems have always been of importance for human transport from earliest times, now adequate navigation channels for large vessels coming from sea to inland ports are of great importance to industries and commerce of a nation. Transport via waters is important economically in the area of importation and exportation of goods and international relationship. Unlike before, now substantial investments are being directed to water ways to expand the natural navigable systems, thus, enabling ships to pass from sea port right into inland industrial areas. These development and canalization of water ways have proved successful in many countries. For example in North America, the St. Lawrence sea way, with only seven locks, developed traffic of over twenty million tonnes per year within three years (Marsh, 1963). Also water ways have helped in the haulage of some goods and industrial products that are difficult to be transported by road or air to various destinations in the world. Ports are also built on seas to facilitate foreign trades and generate income for the government. Also those ports provide employments for enormous number of people.
5. Recreational/Tourism Importance:
The increasing human population and their affection for leisure and pleasure have placed an enormous demand on natural resources for recreational purpose. This is especially true for water bodies which are often the focus for variety of recreational activities such as sailing, power-boating, water skiing, general picnicking, relaxation and angling.
However, among these recreational activities, angling (i.e. sport fishing) is highly economical in terms of domestic and foreign earnings. Sport fishing attracts tourists from all over the world. Moreover, today fishing for fun is of continental focus and even great investments are put into it by individuals and government for better income yield. For example, in Nigeria the Argugun fishing festival of Kebbi state attracts tourists from all over the world to Nigeria. This does not only strengthen international relationship, it also attracts foreign investors and even the anglers win laurels which are of monetary value.Some water bodies are used as tourist centers to generate income, for example in Nigeria, we have Ikogosi warm spring in Ekiti state, Wikki spring in Bauchi e.t.c. and at the same time, those water bodies help in the attraction of investors and national development. Natural tourist centers like these are accepted as having a wide variety of uses including nature study, photography, fishing, camping, and picnicking, as well as economic pursuits. While the primary interest in these areas may be wildlife or recreation; economic operations yield substantial financial returns and even increase the value of the area for the wildlife or recreational activity concerned.
Some fishes are of aesthetic value and they are the target in aquarium trade and ornamental fishing. Fishes like the Peacock cichlid, Cichla ocellaris are used in ornamental fishing in Florida, yellow perch (perca flaviscens) of North America are of good reputations as panfishes.
More so, there are aquatic plant species of great potential in horticulture and recreation. Of greater potential are some members of the Family Ordiidaceae such as Eulophia caricifolia, E. hosfalhi, and E. angolensis. The presence of aquatic plants has favoured the possibilities of most water bodies being developed into recreation centers that include bird-watching and nature photography. In Kenya (MENR, 1981) the annual income from visitors to Amboseli National park was estimated as US$1.3million in 1979, where the aquatic system are one of its principal attractions.
6. Household and Health importance:
It is estimated that 15% of world-wide water use is for household purposes this include drinking, bathing, cooking, sanitation and gardening (Peter Gleick, 2001). Aquatic animals are use as food for human consumption, among which fishes are of high quality supply. In about 25,000 species of fish that are caught regularly in water, about 200 species are used as food. Among fishes used for food include herines, sardines, sharks e.t.c. Other animals such as crustaceans, molluscs and mammals make supplement source of food available to man. In Asia, according to Pillay (1976) 15,000 tons of shrimps and prawns are harvested annually for household consumption. In Korea phytoplankton production has reached 20,000 metric tons annually for food. In some part of East Africa fish oil are extracted to burn lamp to produce light.
6. Household and Health importance:
It is estimated that 15% of world-wide water use is for household purposes this include drinking, bathing, cooking, sanitation and gardening (Peter Gleick, 2001). Aquatic animals are use as food for human consumption, among which fishes are of high quality supply. In about 25,000 species of fish that are caught regularly in water, about 200 species are used as food. Among fishes used for food include herines, sardines, sharks e.t.c. Other animals such as crustaceans, molluscs and mammals make supplement source of food available to man. In Asia, according to Pillay (1976) 15,000 tons of shrimps and prawns are harvested annually for household consumption. In Korea phytoplankton production has reached 20,000 metric tons annually for food. In some part of East Africa fish oil are extracted to burn lamp to produce light.
Aquatic resources have been of great importance in the health sector as it serves so many functions which directly or indirectly generate revenue for individuals and government. Some aquatic products are used in the production of modern drugs and pharmaceuticals. For example fish oil which is reach in vitamin is used in the manufacture of drugs like “seven seas” popularly called cod liver oil, omega H3; both drugs are used as supplements to give vitamins and are being produced by pharmaceutical industries for private and public hospitals. This directly or indirectly generates income for the government and individuals through tax and sales. Also antibodies are extracted from sponges to fight penicillin resistant bacteria. Some pharmaceutical industries also extract body fluid of certain snails and oysters and processed it into medicine as their finished product to fight viral diseases. Greatly, aquatic resources have helped in the improvement of health of people and “health is wealth” they say. Aquatic plants are used in curative therapy in traditional communities. Kio and Ola-Adams (1987) reported that Polygonum senegalense is pounded with native hydrated sodium carbonate and rubbed on the limbs for rheumatic and other swellings. Obot and Ayeni (1987) also reported that Pistia stratiotes is used as parts of concoction for the treatment of flu.
References
1. Wortley, J. (1995): Recreational fisheries. In K.T. O'Grady (ed.) Review of inland fisheries and aquaculture in the EIFAC area by subregion and subsector. FAO Fisheris Report 509, Suppl. 1, 60-72.
2. MacLock, B. and J. Thompson. (1996): Characterization of Aquatic Uses within the Peace, Athabasca and Slave River Basins. Northern River Basins Study Synthesis Report No. 7.
3. Bocek, A. (2005):Water harvesting and aquaculture for rural development. http.www.ag.auburn.edu/fish/icae/transport.htm
4. Online cited. (2005): Aquatic Plant Resources of Nigeria. http.www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/T3660E/T3660E03.htm
5. Online cited: Water Resources.http.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/water_resources.htm
References
1. Wortley, J. (1995): Recreational fisheries. In K.T. O'Grady (ed.) Review of inland fisheries and aquaculture in the EIFAC area by subregion and subsector. FAO Fisheris Report 509, Suppl. 1, 60-72.
2. MacLock, B. and J. Thompson. (1996): Characterization of Aquatic Uses within the Peace, Athabasca and Slave River Basins. Northern River Basins Study Synthesis Report No. 7.
3. Bocek, A. (2005):Water harvesting and aquaculture for rural development. http.www.ag.auburn.edu/fish/icae/transport.htm
4. Online cited. (2005): Aquatic Plant Resources of Nigeria. http.www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/T3660E/T3660E03.htm
5. Online cited: Water Resources.http.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/water_resources.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment