2018/2019 WAEC Fishery Questions and Answers
Below are WAEC Fishery Questions and Answers
QUESTION 1
(a)(i) What is culture fisheries? [2 marks]
(ii) Explain five attributes of a culturable fish species. [10 marks]
(b) Mention three fish culture facilities. [3 marks]
(c) List three types of fish ponds. [3 marks]
(d) State two methods of lime application in a fish pond. [2 marks].
OBSERVATION: This question was poorly attempted by the candidates. In 1(a)(i – ii), majority of the candidates could neither define culture fisheries not explain the attributes of a culturable fish species. However in 1(b), most of them were able to mention fish culture facilities.
Further to this, in 1(c-d), majority of the candidates could neither list the types of fish ponds nor state the methods of lime application in a fish pond. The expected answers include:
1 (a) (i) Meaning of culture fisheries
Fish culture is the production/rearing/domestication of aquatic organisms in a controlled/confined environment OR Fish production under artificial environment
(ii) Explanation of attributes of a culturable fish species
- Hardiness: the fish must be hardy, must be able to withstand handling conditions/adaptive
- High survival rate: large number/percentage must survive in captivity
- Compatibility: must be able to co-exist with other fish species i.e. poly-culture
- Acceptance of artificial feed: must be able to accept man made or compounded feed
- Acceptability to consumers/marketability: must be marketable and accepted by the target consumers
- Breeding under captivity: must be able to reproduce or be induced in artificial Environment
- Tolerance to poor water: must be able to grow and thrive under poor water Conditions
- Fast growth: must have good growth rate and reach market size within a short time/High feed conversion efficiency
- Disease resistance: must be able to withstand a wide range of fish diseases
(c) Types of fish ponds
- Earthen pond
- Excavated ponds/dugout ponds
- Embankment ponds/contour/paddy ponds
- Hilly ponds/barrage/ravine ponds
- Concrete tank
- Plastic tank
- Fibre glass tank
- Wooden tank
- Tarpaulin tank
(d) Methods of lime application in a fish pond
Broadcasting directly into the pond water surface
Broadcasting directly on pond bottom/dams side
QUESTION 2
(a)(i) Mention three components of a fish pond. [3 marks]
(ii) State one function of each of the components mentioned in 2(a) (i) above [3 marks]
(b)(i) Distinguish between poly-culture and mono-culture.[4 marks]
(ii) Describe any two management systems in aquaculture. [10 marks]
OBSERVATION: This question was fairly attempted by the candidates. In 2(a)(i-ii), majority of the candidates were able to mention the components of a fish pond but most of them were unable to state the functions of the components of a fish pond. Also, in 2(b)(i-ii), majority of the candidates were able to distinguish between poly-culture and mono-culture but most of them could not describe management systems in aquaculture. The expected answers include:
2 (a)(ii) Functions of the components of a fish pond
Inlet
- To let water into the pond/impoundment
- To prevent unwanted aquatic organisms from entering the pond
Outlet/monk/spillway/stand pipe/overflow spout
- To keep water at a suitable level in the pond
- To allow for draining of the pond
- To prevent overflow/flooding of pond
Embankment/dyke/wall
- Holds water in the pond
- Houses the cultured organism(fish)
- Prevents seepage/leakage of water
Free board
- Prevents fishes from jumping out of pond
- Prevents flooding of pond
Core trench
- Reinforces the dyke built with low clay soil to avoid seepage
- Harvesting basin
- Collection point for all fishes during total harvesting/for easy removal
(b)(ii) Description of management systems in aquaculture
- Intensive system
- High stocking density
- Feeding of fish with complete diet
- High production costs
- High use of technology/aeration/re-circulatory system/flow-through system
- Very high yield
- Short production period/cycle
- Mainly commercial
Semi intensive system
- Moderate stocking rate
- Use of supplementary feeding
- Pond fertilization is done
- Occasional flushing of pond water
- level of technology is adopted
- Yield is moderate
Extensive system
- Simplest method of fish culture
- Low stocking rate
- Little or no use of fertilizer
- Little or no use of supplementary feed/fish depends on natural food
- Relatively low level of technology especially during harvesting
- Low input
- Low yield/output
- Low production cost
- Long production period/cycle
QUESTION 3
(a) State the optimum ranges for three water parameters in a fish pond. [3 marks]
(b) Name three energy yielding and three protein yielding ingredients in fish feeds. [6 marks]
(c) (i) Define the term feeding frequency. [6 marks]
(ii) Describe three feeding methods in aquaculture. [9 marks]
OBSERVATION: This question was poorly attempted by the candidates. In 3(a-b), most of the candidates were unable to state the optimum ranges for water parameters in a fish pond but majority of them were able to name energy yielding and protein yielding ingredients in fish feeds. More so, in 3(c)(i-ii), majority of the candidates could neither define feeding frequency nor describe the feeding methods in aquaculture.
The expected answers include:
3 (a) Optimum ranges for water parameters in a fish pond
- Dissolved Oxygen : 5.0 – 8.0mg/l
- pH: 6.5 – 8.0/8.5
- Turbidity/Transparency: less than 30cm sec chi disc measurement
- Temperature: 20 – 300C
- Nitrite: < 0.25 ppm
- Ammonia < 0.05ppm
- Alkalinity 50 – 200ppm(m/l)
(c)(i) Definition of feeding frequency
This is the number of times fish are fed daily
(ii) Description of feeding methods in aquaculture
Broadcasting
- This involves scattering of fish feed on pond surface
- It is usually done in tanks/ponds
- It is done in earthen pond when the fish is young
- It ensures wide spread distribution of feed
- It is labour intensive
- Feed can be blown off by wind
Spot/point feeding
- Involves feeding of fish at specific point of the pond
- Commonly practiced in earthen ponds
- Fish are easily monitored using this method
- It can aid fish pilferage
Automated/Automatic feeding
- It is a mechanical way of feeding fish
- There is less wastage of feed/proper feed utilization
- Less labour intensive
- No direct observation of fish
QUESTION 4
Describe six activities involved in earthen pond construction. [12 marks]
Explain four pond maintenance activities. [8 marks]
OBSERVATION: This question was poorly attempted by the candidates. In question 4(a-b), most of the candidates could neither describe the activities involved in earthen pond construction nor explain pond maintenance activities.
The expected answers include:
4 (a) Activities involved in earthen pond construction
> Clearing: clear the pond area of all vegetation, debris, stones, stumps, trees, grass
> Marking/pegging: mark the area for excavation with stakes indicating depth
Of cut from the ground surface to the pond bottom
> Demarcation: demarcate the base of the pond by pegging within the first marked areas (toe stake) and then the outer area (top width stake) depending on the size of the pond under construction
> Determine the gradient and mark out the water inlet and outlet
> Completely remove top soil and set aside
> Start digging from the outlet inside the inner marked stakes
> Build walls using loam or silt clay soil
> Installation of drains, core trench, spillway, inlet pipes, free-board
> Compact walls at every 15-20cm layer to strengthen embankment to avoid collapse when impounded with water
> Pond bottom should slope towards outlet/drain
> Both inlets and outlets should be properly screened
> Plant grasses on dam to protect pond from erosion
> Provide diversion ditch to protect pond from flood
(b) Pond maintenance activities
> Flushing of pond to reduce turbidity
> Liming to regulate water pH/control predators, reduce silt and clay particles
> Fertilization provides nutrients to increase natural fish food
> Repair of leakages to reduce water seepage
> Cleaning pond debris to reduce siltation/enhance easy movement of fish/ enhance harvesting of fish
> Weeding to reduce predators
> Cleaning of filters/screen for easy flow of water
QUESTION 5
Define the term fish stocking. [2 marks]
Mention eight fishing gear used in capture fisheries. [4 marks]
(i) Describe five methods used in the processing and preservation of fish. [10 marks]
(ii) State four steps involved in smoking of fish. [4 marks]
OBSERVATION: This question was well attempted by the candidates. In question 5(a-b), most of the candidates could not define fish stocking but they were able to mention the fishing gear used in capture fisheries. Also, majority of the candidates were able to describe the methods used in the processing and preservation of fish as well as state the steps involved in smoking of fish as required in 5(c)(i-ii).
The expected answers include:
5(a) Definition of fish stocking:
This is the act of placing/introducing fish in to pond water for the purpose of rearing
QUESTION 6
(a) (i) State four qualities of a good fish brood stock. [4 marks]
(ii) Mention four benefits of artificial breeding of fish. [4 marks]
(iii) State eight steps involved in artificial breeding of fish. [8 marks]
(b)State four ways of handling fish brood stock. [4 marks]
OBSERVATION: This question was well attempted by the candidates. Most of the candidates were able to state the qualities of a good fish brood stock and mention the benefits of artificial breeding of fish as required in 6(a)(i-ii). However, in 6(a)(iii), majority of the candidates could not state the steps involved in artificial breeding of fish.
Finally, most of the candidates were able to state the ways of handling fish brood stock as required in 6(b).
The expected answers include:
6(a)(iii) Steps involved in artificial breeding of fish
- Brood stock selection
- Conditioning of brood stock
- Inducement of brood stock
- Stripping of female brood stock
- Extraction of milt
- Fertilization of eggs
- Incubation of eggs
- Management of fish hatchlings
- Nursing of fry
- Feeding of fry after yoke absorption