Fishermen’s perceptions and experiences toward the impact of climate change and anthropogenic activities on freshwater fish biodiversity in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Africa’s freshwater ecosystems are impacted by many threats due to climate change and several anthropogenic activities. In Côte d’Ivoire, the economy relies mostly on agriculture, which covers around 64% of the land surface. The study aimed to investigate Côte d’Ivoire fishermen’s perception of climate change, its drivers and other anthropogenic activities impacting freshwater fish biodiversity. The fish species locally threatened in the Ivorian freshwater ecosystems were also investigated. Face to face interviews and a structured questionnaire were used. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, means, and standard deviation, minimum and maximum. The multinomial logit regression was also applied to test factors that influence fishermen’s awareness and perception of climate change and their perception of change in fish abundance. The results show that around 72.7% of fishermen were aware of climate change. Decreases of precipitation (87.9%) and increases of temperature (76.1%) were observed by fishermen. Also, a significant decrease in fish quantity was observed by respondents. Climate change and anthropogenic activities such as gold mining, water withdrawal, use of small-mesh fishing nets, overfishing, industrial waste pollution, pesticides use for agricultural purposes along watersheds, obnoxious fishing practices and population growth, were highlighted as the main reasons for this decline. Species such as Lates niloticus, Heterotis niloticus, Parachanna obscura, Malapterurus electricus, Sarotherodon galilaeus, Tilapia zillii, Polpyterus endlicheri and Labeo coubie were listed by fishermen as locally threatened within Ivorian freshwater ecosystems. Actions and policies are needed to be taken by local authorities to ensure the sustainability of fisheries resources. The information obtained from this study constitutes a prerequisite for developing and implementing studies or policies aimed at mitigating and combating the negative effect of climate change and anthropogenic activities on the Ivorian freshwater ecosystem.

A review of fish diversity, decline drivers, and management of the Tanguar Haor ecosystem: A globally recognized Ramsar site in Bangladesh

“…Similar types of drivers were found in other freshwater wetlands in Bangladesh and around the world ( Sun et al., 2017 ; Husen et al., 2019 ; Aziz et al., 2021 ; Amoutchi et al., 2021 ). Erratic rainfall, temperature and siltation have become a significant climatic component that positively correlates with a decrease in the variety of fish species in the Hakaluki Haor , having a considerable impact on fish harvest ( Aziz et al., 2021 ).…”

“…Erratic rainfall, temperature and siltation have become a significant climatic component that positively correlates with a decrease in the variety of fish species in the Hakaluki Haor , having a considerable impact on fish harvest ( Aziz et al., 2021 ). Amoutchi et al. (2021) observed Ivorian freshwater fish abundance reduction as a consequence of climate change especially change in temperature and rainfall and several anthropogenic activities including gold mining, water withdrawal for human needs, use of small-mesh fishing nets, overfishing, industrial waste discharge, pesticides use for agricultural purposes, obnoxious fishing practices and increase in human population.…”

Population genetics of the African snakehead fish Parachanna obscura along West Africa's water networks: Implications for sustainable management and conservation

“…According to estimates, there are over 3000 species of freshwater fish in Africa, which is comparable to the number of species in Asia (over 3600) and South America (over 4200; Lévêque et al, 2008 ). Complex climatic and geological events have caused a long history of geographical isolation followed by diversification for some and extinction for other populations, ultimately resulting in the diversified fauna of the African freshwater ecosystems (Amoutchi et al, 2021 ; Darwall et al, 2011 ). Since the division of Gondwanaland in the early Cretaceous, many African rivers went through complex geological histories involving changes in the structure of their catchments and river beds (Goudie, 2005 ).…”

Local fishers’ knowledge on the ecology, economic importance, and threats faced by populations of African snakehead fish, Parachanna obscura, within Côte d'Ivoire freshwater ecosystems

“…According to the prediction of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change under the RCP4.5 scenario, the temperature will rise by (Bernard, 2014). Aquatic organisms are very sensitive to any change in their environment (Amoutchi et al, 2021). Freshwater organisms have the highest proportion of species globally categorized as extinct or threatened in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List (Costello, 2015;IUCN, 2022).…”