FROM THE SURFACE WATERS TO THE DEEP SEA BED: FISH, THE REAL MASTERS OF THE AQUAWORLD

The inaugural lecture reports my academic contribution built on research, teaching and contributions to the “town and gown” on my professional subject matter area.

It covered firstly, my contributions to the biology of fishes (freshwater, brackish and marine) as a tool for the management and conservation of the resources. I extended my research to the limnological studies of our inland waters and I alluded to the importance of limnology especially its practical application in fisheries, public health and water pollution.

My contribution to aquaculture is strongly hinged on the importance of fish seed production using the teleost reproductive endocrinology in advancing induced breeding options in aquaculture.

The biodiversity and pollution studies are based on the very important rational for the conservation of aquatic resources of the Nigerian coastal zone having listed the enormous amount of resources that deserve to be protected, conserved and managed for future generations. I joined in the “Serpent” ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) pollution studies team as a vital contribution on species diversity and on pollution studies of our marine environment with a peep on resources “yet unknown” in our deep sea bed.

I joined my colleagues in the aquatic ecotoxicology research in reporting several aspects of toxic impacts of pollution on food resources in our water bodies.

The lecture also brought to fore my contributions through books to the tertiary and non tertiary arms of education, manuals and reports to NGOs and the oil industry.