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The study assessed consumers' preference and perception of smoke-dried white shrimps in Igbokoda, a coastal area of Ondo State, Nigeria. The community was purposively chosen because the town is a major cluster for natives from coastal communities in Ilaje and Ese-Odo LGAs of Ondo State, Nigeria. Forty shrimp consumers (20 males and 20 females) were randomly selected for this study. They assessed the sensory properties of smoke-dried shrimps collected from processing units in Ayetoro and Bijimi. The two communities were purposively chosen for the predominance of white shrimp processing using smoking method. Five smoke-dried samples (A1-A5 and B1-B5) were collected from Ayetoro and Bijimi respectively. Panelists assessed the sensory attributes of white shrimps using a 9point hedonic scale. Results indicated that there were significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in the organoleptic properties of the white shrimps. Samples A3, B2 and B3 had low acceptability while samples A1 and B5 were more accepted than the other samples. Taste of the samples was the highest significant factor that influenced general acceptability among assessors as indicated by the magnitude of its t-Stat. All the sensory attributes were positively correlated (R = 0.71) with general acceptability and 50% (R2 = 0.50) dependent on these sensory attributes. Majority of the respondents said they consumed white shrimps with no allergic reactions in dried form. Consumers were highly satisfied with smoked white shrimps in market places; however, off flavour, inadequate taste, odd appearance and the quantity of by-catches were the perceived reasons that determined consumers' satisfaction with shrimps in the market outlets. Hence, more emphasis should be laid on reducing off flavour, odd appearance, by-catches and increased utilization of white shrimp in food products. This would further increase consumers' satisfaction, patronage in market places, boost coastal economy and contribute to healthy living of consumers in Nigeria.

This study assessed transportation logistics for prospective consumers and marketers of white shrimp (Nematopalaemon hastatus) within a 500 km buffer to processing and marketing areas in Ondo State, Nigeria using ArcGIS network analyst tool. The result indicated that shorter routes between the towns and major shrimp market at Igbokoda provided buyers with a lower budget for logistics and product cost compared with higher budget computed for longer routes between the towns and Ugbonla waterside, Nigeria. However, due to lower price of smoked shrimp at processing areas, shrimp product would get to the towns/cities within the buffer per kilogramme at a lower cost compared to products directly sourced from marketing areas (Igbokoda). Thus a typical consumer/marketer within the buffer was expected to budget an average of $42-$110 (12,810-35,500) and $59-$123 (17,995-37,515) for 10.42kg of smoked shrimp from processing areas in a typical peak and off-peak month respectively. In the alternative, they are expected to budget an average of $50-$110 (15,250-33,550) and $60-$125 (18,300-38,125) to source same quantity of the species from Igbokoda in a typical peak and off-peak month respectively. Developing a shrimp market at Ugbonla waterside, Nigeria would open the community for more economic development and attraction due to easy accessibility to shrimping and processing areas. Therefore, prospective shrimp marketers and consumers within the 500km buffer who are interested in accessing this highly nutritional species and other aquatic products from the processing and marketing areascould be guided by this information for effective trade and marketing.

Catfish consumption has risen over the last 2 decades with its popularity more pronounced in a cosmopolitan, commercial and industrial region like Lagos state. However, there is a need to measure the level of anthropogenic induced impacts on the safety level of fish production within this environment for human consumption. This research determined the level of trace metals bioaccumulation within the three senatorial districts of Lagos state. A total of nine (9) fish farms (three from each senatorial district) operating earthen ponds were randomly selected. Water samples from the farms were also collected and analyzed for heavy metals. Fish samples were smoked before analysis. The trace metals such as chromium, cobalt, iron, lead, aluminum and copper and manganese was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result of the trace metals were 0.07 – 0.13 mg/kg (lead), 0.01 – 0.02 mg/kg (chromium), 6.75 – 7.77 mg/kg (iron), 3.05 – 3.89 mg/kg (manganese), 0.05 – 0.07 mg/kg (copper), 0.00 – 0.01 mg/kg (cobalt) and 0.00 – 0.01 mg/kg (Aluminum). Statistically, there is no significant difference (P>0.05) among the various locations except for aluminum. The trace metal levels were below the tolerable or allowable level for fish food as recommended by Food and Agricultural Organization or World Health Organization, Median international standard, European Union, United State Environmental Protection Agency and Water Pollution Control Legislation for fish food. The detection of lead above standard in the water suggests the need for frequent monitoring of the water quality and fish food to prevent possible toxicity that could arise from the consumption of the fish food from the study area.