The Implications of Wood Exploitation for Fish Smoking on Mangrove Ecosystem Conservation in the South West Province, Cameroon

Abstract

In this study we investigated how the use of mangrove wood for fish smoking by local people in some localities of the South West (SW) Province of Cameroon may be in conflict with the conservation and sustainability of mangrove ecosystems. With the use of socio-economic surveys, from February to July 2006, we established that the amount of the annual fuel-wood harvest for five study sites was about 102,650 m 3 (i.e., an amount equivalent to clearing about 205.3 ha of mangrove forests annually). It is estimated that approximately 62% of this total is used to smoke most of the fish (i.e., about 90.7% of the fish landings) across the five study sites. The quantities of wood seemed to vary proportionately with fish landings across sites, hence indicating a probable direct correlation between mangrove wood harvested and its use in fish smoking. The different uses of mangrove wood were similar in all sites, but the quantities of wood extracted from different sites varied, with sites of high fish landings registering the highest fuel-wood turnover. It seemed that local people were unaware of the need to maintain ecosystem functions despite the close relationship between wood and fish harvesting, and their importance in ensuring the livelihood for local population in the study areas. From the revision of current management policies and field observations, we propose the development of adaptive management strategies aimed at improving policy, creating public awareness, and integrating local communities in the development of a sustainable management plan for the mangrove resources of Cameroon.

Drivers causing decline of mangrove in West-Central Africa: a review

“…Various studies have examined the extent of threats to mangrove forests within countries of the region, for example, Diop (1993), Kjerfve et al (1997), UNEP (1999), Ajonina and Usongo (2001), Feka and Manzano (2008), and Ajonina et al (2008). These investigations show that activities that promote the conversion of mangroves forests constitute a valuable baseline for the socio-economic well-being of 218 N.Z.…”

Preservation by Curing (Drying, Salting and Smoking)

“…A more recent study has investigated the impact of fish smoking on the mangrove ecosystem of coastal Cameroon (Feka and Manzano, 2008). Mangrove forests occupy a very specific niche at the land-sea confluence and are only found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.…”

A Methodological Framework for Assessing Agents, Proximate Drivers and Underlying Causes of Deforestation: Field Test Results from Southern Cameroon

“…Mangrove ecosystems play a crucial role in the local economy, where people around coastal locations in the Fako Division are heavily dependent on these ecosystems for the harvesting of fish, shrimp, NTFPs, timber and fuel wood [31]. It is estimated that about 62.5% of the total wood harvested is used for fish smoking alone, while 34.3% of wood harvested is used for cooking and 3.3% for construction [32].…”

“…Mangroves are under pressure in the Division. The asserted better taste of the fish dried with mangrove wood [31] implies that those operating the dried fish value chain are unlikely to switch to alternative fuel sources, even if they were available.…”