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Pharmaceutical effluents contain toxic xenobiotics capable of contaminating aquatic environments. Untreated effluents are illegally discharged into aquatic environment in most developing countries. Pharmaceutical effluent induced alterations in biomarkers of genetic and systemic damage on rodents. However, information is relatively scarce on the possible cytogenotoxicity and systemic toxicity of this effluent on aquatic vertebrates. The study herein assessed the cytogenotoxic, hematological and histopathological alterations induced by pharmaceutical effluent in . 96 h acute toxicity of the effluent was determined after was exposed to six different concentrations (10 - 60 %) of the effluent. Subsequently, fish was exposed to sub-lethal concentrations (2.18 - 17.41 %) obtained from the 96 h LC for 7 and 14 days after which micronucleus (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NAs) in peripheral erythrocytes were assessed as cytogenotoxic biomarkers, alterations in hematological indices and histopathological lesions were also examined. Fish, concurrently exposed to dechlorinated tap water and benzene (0.01 mL/L), served as negative and positive controls respectively. The derived 96 h LC of 17.41 % which was 1.89 times more toxic than the 24 h LC (32.95 %) showed that the effluent induced concentration-dependent mortality according to exposure duration. The effluent caused significant ( <0.05) time-dependent increase in the frequency of MN and abnormal nuclear erythrocytes compared to the negative control. Also, there was decrease in total erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations and increase in leucocyte and lymphocyte counts. The effluent induced pathological lesions on gills, liver and kidneys of treated fish. Higher physicochemical parameters than standard permissible limits in the effluent are capable of inducing genomic instability and systemic damage in fish. Pharmaceutical effluent can increase micropollutants in aquatic environmental and health risks to aquatic biota. There is need to promulgate stringent laws against illegal discharge of effluents into aquatic environment.

Small-scale fisheries are significant sources of nutrition and livelihood globally. However, increasing anthropogenic activities in coastal areas of developing countries have threatened the sustainability of artisanal fisheries and species. Fisheries of Sardinella maderensis, towards the global stock of which Nigeria contributes 9% and which is a significant livelihood source in the coastal communities of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, faces sustainability threats. This research investigated the effects of anthropogenic activities on S. maderensis fisheries in the coastal areas of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. The study adopted a mixed-method approach involving qualitative and quantitative research methods. These included species identification, water quality analysis, land-use change analysis, field surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews. Genetic analysis of the fish samples from the study area revealed that the species had a mean of 98% similarity to S. maderensis. While major urban and industrial land use has increased by 175% in the last four decades, the catch per unit effort (CPUE) of S. maderensis declined monthly to 0.0072 kg/H between 2003 and 2019. Linear regression indicated that anthropogenic variables explained approximately 39.58% of the variation in the CPUE (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.40). Water samples showed that heavy metal levels were above international limits, with high total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) pollution in all stations (27.56 mg/L–3985.40 mg/L). Physiochemical analysis of water samples indicated TDS levels higher than the acceptable limits (mean = 24,971.1 mg/L) and inadequate chlorophyll-a levels (mean = 0.01 µg/L). Hence, urgent strategies are required to mitigate anthropogenic threats through inclusive coastal management policies supporting resilient artisanal fisheries.

Small-scale fisheries are significant sources of nutrition and livelihood globally. However, increasing anthropogenic activities in coastal areas of developing countries have threatened the sustainability of artisanal fisheries and species. Fisheries of Sardinella maderensis, towards the global stock of which Nigeria contributes 9% and which is a significant livelihood source in the coastal communities of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, faces sustainability threats. This research investigated the effects of anthropogenic activities on S. maderensis fisheries in the coastal areas of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. The study adopted a mixed-method approach involving qualitative and quantitative research methods. These included species identification, water quality analysis, land-use change analysis, field surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews. Genetic analysis of the fish samples from the study area revealed that the species had a mean of 98% similarity to S. maderensis. While major urban and industrial land use has increased by 175% in the last four decades, the catch per unit effort (CPUE) of S. maderensis declined monthly to 0.0072 kg/H between 2003 and 2019. Linear regression indicated that anthropogenic variables explained approximately 39.58% of the variation in the CPUE (p < 0.001, R[sup.2] = 0.40). Water samples showed that heavy metal levels were above international limits, with high total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) pollution in all stations (27.56 mg/L–3985.40 mg/L). Physiochemical analysis of water samples indicated TDS levels higher than the acceptable limits (mean = 24,971.1 mg/L) and inadequate chlorophyll-a levels (mean = 0.01 µg/L). Hence, urgent strategies are required to mitigate anthropogenic threats through inclusive coastal management policies supporting resilient artisanal fisheries.

This study investigates the biometrics of the common smooth-hound shark, , from fish landing sites of the Lagos and Ondo Coasts. Morphometric measurements and meristic counts were used on 1,018 specimens to analyze morphometric differentiations. Significant sex-based differences were found across various morphometric traits, with phenotypically separable populations observed between locations. Bray-Curtis analysis categorized morphometrics into four groups based on similar characteristics. Principal component analysis identified three components, with PC1 dominated by chondrocranium and gill slit measurements, PC2 by gill slit and fin origin measurements, and PC3 by snout and fin origin measurements.

We recorded 37 fish species representing 21 families in the Badagry Lagoon, south-west Nigeria. Adult stages of 13 (35.14%) of them were freshwater, 7 (13.51%) estuarine, and 19 (51.35%) near-shore marine species. The seasonal variation in the fish catch composition of the lagoon was attributed to the seasonal fluctuation in salinity. Availability of food organisms was also noted to affect the seasonal distribution of the fish fauna. Other physical features such as temperature and pH varied slightly, while the concentration of dissolved oxygen was higher in the dry season than in the rainy season. The highest species richness was observed in September with 11 species, while the lowest with the smallest abundance was observed in February with 5 species. The most abundant species during their occurrence were Cynoglossus senegalensis (7.92%), Tilapia mariae (7.17%), and Ilisha africana (6.04%). Species richness and total abundance were found to increase during the rainy season.

Thirty-seven fish species representing 21 families in the Badagry Lagoon, south-west Nigeria were recorded. Adult stages of 13 (35.14%) of them were freshwater, 7 (13.51%) estuarine, and 19 (51.35%) near-shore marine species. The seasonal variation in the fish catch composition of the lagoon was attributed to the seasonal fluctuation in salinity. Availability of food organisms was also noted to affect the seasonal distribution of the fish fauna. Other physical features such as temperature and pH varied slightly, while the concentration of dissolved oxygen was higher in the dry season than in the rainy season. The highest species richness was observed in September with 11 species, while the lowest with the smallest abundance was observed in February with 5 species. The most abundant species during their occurrence were Cynoglossus senegalensis (7.92%), Tilapia mariae (7.17%), and Ilisha africana (6.04%). Species richness and total abundance were found to increase during the rainy season.

We recorded 37 fish species representing 21 families in the Badagry Lagoon, south-west Nigeria. Adult stages of 13 (35.14%) of them were freshwater, 7 (13.51%) estuarine, and 19 (51.35%) near-shore marine species. The seasonal variation in the fish catch composition of the lagoon was attributed to the seasonal fluctuation in salinity. Availability of food organisms was also noted to affect the seasonal distribution of the fish fauna. Other physical features such as temperature and pH varied slightly, while the concentration of dissolved oxygen was higher in the dry season than in the rainy season. The highest species richness was observed in September with 11 species, while the lowest with the smallest abundance was observed in February with 5 species. The most abundant species during their occurrence were Cynoglossus senegalensis (7.92%), Tilapia mariae (7.17%), and Ilisha africana (6.04%). Species richness and total abundance were found to increase during the rainy season.

The seasonal abundance, age and growth pattern, food and feeding habits, reproductive biology and culture potentials of the grey mullet, Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus) from the Lagos Lagoon were investigated. The physico-chemical parameters of the lagoon were also monitored. The air temperature ranged from 23.5 to 320C (mean: 27.9 ± 2.100C), while the surface water temperature ranged between 24.5 and 30.80C (mean: 27.9 ± 2.200C). The salinity ranged from 0.0 to 23.5‰ (mean: 9.8 ± 9.13‰), while the hydrogen-ion concentration (pH) ranged between 6.8 and 7.8. The dissolved oxygen ranged from 3.8 to 9.5 mg/l (mean: 5.5 ± 1.65mg/l). The size of the 2661 specimens of M. cephalus used for this study ranged from 1.7 – 29.5cm standard length (total length: 1.9 to 39.0cm) and 0.02 to 450.00g weight. The relative abundance of the species varied, with larger size M. cephalus being more available during the dry season (December – May) and smaller size ones or juveniles predominant in the rainy season (June – November). Growth markings on the scale and otolith of the species did not show discernable marks for determining age. Length-frequency method indicated five age groups representing ages 0 – 1yr (1 - 3cm), 1 – 2yrs (4 - 6cm), 2 – 3yrs (7 - 9cm), 3 – 4yrs (10 - 23cm) and >4yrs (24cm standard length and above). The growth pattern of M cephalus showed a positive allometric growth for both sexes and immature specimens. High correlation (r) values ranging from 0.9003 to 0.9784 obtained was a strong indication of an increase in standard length of the species with a corresponding increase in body weight. The mean monthly condition factor (K) values ranged from 1.39 to 2.30. The species was an omnivore, feeding on algae (blue–green, green, diatoms and desmids), plant materials, annelids, crustaceans, bivalves, fishes and detritus. Sand grains were also found in the stomachs of the fish. The sex ratio for M. cephalus was 1:0.53 and this showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) difference from the expected 1:1 ratio. The fecundity estimates varied from 635,568 – 1,520,185 eggs with a mean fecundity of 832,270 ± 156,016 eggs. The diameter of the eggs varied from 0.36mm to 0.46mm (mean = 0.41 ± 0.04mm). The maturation stages of the testes and ovaries were classified as immature (Stage 1), developing (Stage II), ripening (Stage III), ripe (Stage IV) and spent (Stage V). The immature fish occurred most in the lagoon (75.6%). However, the males were significantly (p<0.05) more abundant than the females. Five major developmental stages of male gonads were observed: spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa; while six major developmental stages of oocytes were observed: oogonium, primary oocytes, secondary oocytes, vitellogenic oocytes, post-vitellogenic oocytes and hydrated oocytes. In the feeding trial experiment using formulated coppens feed and varied percentage substitutions with low-cost feedstuffs (dried water hyacinth and poultry waste), the highest gain in weight of 125.81% was recorded in the 40% water hyacinth substitution diet. This suggested that water hyacinth incorporation in M. cephalus feed will produce better yield and reduce the cost of fish production. The salinity tolerance experiments showed that the fish tolerated a salinity range of 5‰ to 25‰. The highest survival of 40% was recorded at salinities 10‰ and 15‰. Statistical analysis of the mortality with ANOVA showed no significant (p>0.05) variation. The heavy metals: Cd, Zn, Pb, Ni, Fe and Mn analysed were present in the samples of fish flesh, egg, water and sediment. In the rainy season, the concentrations of heavy metals in the fish were Cd (0.03ppm); Mn (0.074ppm); Pb (0.482ppm); Zn (0.78ppm); Fe (1.332ppm) and Ni (-0.085ppm). The heavy metals concentrations in the fish in the dry season were Cd (-0.059 to -0.027ppm); Mn (- 0.145 to -0.066ppm); Pb (0.234 to 0.298); Zn (1.089 to 2.349ppm); Fe (1.433 to 1.729ppm) and Ni (-0.293 to -0.201ppm). The level of heavy metals in the fish tissues in this study was below the FAO / WHO standard of safety for human consumption. In conclusion, the existence of M. cephalus in large numbers in the Lagos Lagoon, its high fecundity, wide range of food spectra of both plant and animal origin and heavy metals contamination below the FAO/WHO recommended safety standards for human consumption are indicative of a favourable environment of the lagoon to support a viable brackish-water fishery of the species. In addition, desirable baseline information needed for a sustainable brackish-water cum marine culture of the species and a reduction in cost of fish feed by employing unconventional but available and efficient feedstuff in M. cephalus culture are provided in this study.

The paper develops an Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)-driven framework integrating remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and machine learning (ML). Using telecommunication-enabled data streams from the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS), the study analyzed temporal variations in chlorophyll-a, sea surface temperature, and salinity from June 2022 to May 2025, which involved time-series decomposition to identify trends and seasonality, along with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to understand spatial patterns and inter-annual changes. The study revealed statistically significant declining trends in chlorophyll-a, temperature and salinity. The mean chlorophyll-a concentration, a proxy for plankton productivity, showed high variability. Seasonal decomposition confirmed recurrent annual productivity cycles, while residual analysis successfully identified anomalies potentially linked to episodic pollution events. PCA detected a dominant spatial pattern in chlorophyll-a distribution, and ANOVA confirmed that the inter-annual decline in productivity was significant. These findings demonstrate the value of using integrated geospatial and ICT systems for environmental surveillance.

\"The Open Sore of a Continent: A Personal Narrative of the Nigerian Crisis\" by Wole Soyinka is reviewed.