Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS1)
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Fisheries
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Introduction Of Fisheries: Meaning Of Distribution and Types Of Distribution.
Topic: Sub-division of fisheries
Subject Matter: Meaning of capture fisheries (fishing), Subsistence fisheries, Artisanal fisheries, Industrial fisheries

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

State the meaning of capture fisheries.
Differentiate between subsistence, artisanal, and industrial fisheries.
Identify characteristics of each type of fisheries.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the different methods people use to catch fish.
Value the role of different fisheries in providing food and income.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify common fishing gears associated with each type of fisheries.
Draw simple sketches of some fishing tools.

Discuss the impact of different fishing methods on the environment.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools.
Mariam, A.O. (2018). Essential Fisheries for Senior Secondary Schools. Abuja: Learn Africa Publications.
https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/capture
https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/overfishing

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Pictures or charts showing a fishing canoe, fishing net, trawler at sea, and fish trap basket.
Whiteboard and markers.
Realia (if available) such as a small fishing net or trap.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the different ways fish are caught, from small-scale family efforts to large commercial operations. Understanding these differences is important for pupils to appreciate how fisheries contribute to food supply and the economy, and to recognize the varied impact of fishing activities.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have basic knowledge of what fisheries are and the importance of fish as food.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Sub-division of Fisheries

Meaning of Capture Fisheries

Capture fisheries refer to all fishing activities that involve catching wild aquatic animals, such as fish, crustaceans, and molluscs, from their natural habitats (seas, oceans, rivers, lakes) rather than farming them. This is often simply called “fishing.”

Types of Capture Fisheries

Capture fisheries are generally divided into three main types based on their scale of operation, technology used, and economic purpose. These types are:

Subsistence Fisheries
Artisanal Fisheries
Industrial Fisheries

Subsistence Fisheries

Subsistence fisheries are fishing activities carried out by individuals or families primarily to provide food for themselves and their immediate community. The catch is rarely sold for profit.

The following are characteristics of subsistence fisheries:

Small-scale operation, often non-commercial.
Low technology, using simple and traditional fishing gear.
Limited catch, usually just enough for family consumption.
Often practiced in rural or remote areas.
Examples of gear include simple hooks and lines, small nets, fish traps, and spears.

Artisanal Fisheries

Artisanal fisheries are small-scale commercial fishing operations that are typically labor-intensive and use relatively small vessels and traditional fishing methods. The catch is often sold in local markets.

The following are characteristics of artisanal fisheries:

Small to medium-scale commercial operation.
Uses small boats (e.g., canoes) and a variety of fishing gear.
Relatively low capital investment compared to industrial fisheries.
Provides income and food for local communities.
Often operates close to shore or in inland waters.
Examples of gear include gillnets, cast nets, longlines, and small seines.

Industrial Fisheries

Industrial fisheries are large-scale commercial fishing operations that use modern technology, large vessels, and significant capital investment to catch large quantities of fish for processing and sale in national and international markets.

The following are characteristics of industrial fisheries:

Large-scale commercial operation.
Uses large, powerful vessels (e.g., trawlers, factory ships) equipped with advanced navigation and fish-finding technology.
High capital investment and operating costs.
Targets specific fish stocks for mass production.
Often operates far offshore and for extended periods.
Examples of gear include large trawls, purse seines, driftnets, and highly automated longlines.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to name different ways people get fish to eat. The teacher then tells them that today’s lesson will focus on how we classify these different ways of catching fish from their natural environment.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning various methods like fishing with nets, hooks, or buying from the market.
Learning Point: Pupils recall prior knowledge about fisheries and are introduced to the topic.

Step 2: Explanation of Capture Fisheries

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of capture fisheries, emphasizing that it involves catching wild fish, not farming them. The teacher writes the definition on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of capture fisheries.

Step 3: Subsistence Fisheries

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Illustration/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains subsistence fisheries, providing examples of gear like fish traps and simple hooks. The teacher uses pictures of a fish trap basket or a small net to illustrate.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures, listen to the explanation, and contribute to the discussion by sharing any local examples they know.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about subsistence fisheries and their characteristics.

Step 4: Artisanal Fisheries

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Comparison/Description
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains artisanal fisheries, highlighting the use of canoes and slightly more advanced gear like gillnets. The teacher shows pictures of a fishing canoe and a fishing net, comparing them with subsistence methods.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the pictures, and note the differences between subsistence and artisanal fisheries.
Learning Point: Pupils understand artisanal fisheries and their distinguishing features.

Step 5: Industrial Fisheries

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Description/Visualisation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains industrial fisheries, emphasizing the large scale, advanced technology, and large vessels like trawlers. The teacher uses a picture of a trawler at sea to illustrate.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the picture, and grasp the concept of large-scale commercial fishing.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about industrial fisheries and their characteristics.

Step 6: Discussion and Comparison

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Analysis/Synthesis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a brief discussion asking pupils to state the main differences in terms of technology, scale, and purpose among the three types of fisheries.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils compare and contrast the different types of fisheries based on the teacher’s explanation and pictures.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding by identifying key differences between the types of fisheries.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define capture fisheries.
List the three main types of capture fisheries.
Mention two characteristics of subsistence fisheries.
How do artisanal fisheries differ from industrial fisheries in terms of scale and technology?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson by reiterating the three types of capture fisheries and their main features. The teacher assigns homework: “Draw and label one fishing gear used in artisanal fisheries.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils review the key concepts and prepare for independent practice.

Lesson Keywords

Capture Fisheries – Fishing activities that involve catching wild aquatic animals from their natural habitats.
Subsistence Fisheries – Fishing done for personal or family food consumption, usually non-commercial and small-scale.
Artisanal Fisheries – Small-scale commercial fishing, often labor-intensive, using traditional methods and small vessels for local markets.
Industrial Fisheries – Large-scale commercial fishing using advanced technology, large vessels, and significant capital for mass production and international markets.

Differentiation

For visual learners, the teacher will use ample pictures and realia of fishing gear. Slower learners will be given simplified explanations and more opportunities to ask questions. Advanced learners will be encouraged to research and discuss the environmental impacts of different fishing methods.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that the pictures or actual fishing gear shown clearly represent the scale and technology associated with each type of fisheries. Encourage pupils to share local examples of fishing activities they might have observed in their communities. Emphasize the economic and social importance of each type of fishery to make the lesson more relatable.