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Abstract

Understanding the potential of fishery resources of Osse/Ovia River, of Okomu National Park Edo state, Nigeria is crucial in achieving a sustainable exploitation through tourism/sport fishing activities to ensure economic growth and conservation. This study was conducted to assess the aquatic-fauna biodiversity (aquatic ecology) of the park. This was achieved by enumerating and identifying species distribution, composition, richness, evenness and abundance of fish species from January 2013 to March 2013. A total of twenty one (21) species belonging to twelve (12) families where obtained from this study. Identification was made based on their morphometric and meristic features. The families identified included Schilbeidae, Mormyridae, Cichlidae, Pantodontidae, Channidae Anabantidae, Bagridae, Gymnarchidae, Hepsetidae, Distichodontidae, Mochokidae, Palaemonidae. The family Mormyridae had the most abundant species with six (6) members represented while Hepsetidae was least, having a single member. Macrobrachium macrobrachion recorded the highest number of invertebrate individuals with 2487 enumerated and Hepsetus odoe accounted for only 12 individuals. It is concluded that the Osse / Ovia river is highly productive and in excellent condition capable of maintaining, managing and conserving a perfectly balanced aquatic ecosystem resources for tourism purposes.