Inconvenience of traditional fishing practice on aquatic ecosystem of Nokoué Lake in Benin Republic (West Africa)

Abstract

Located in coastal area of Benin, Nokoué Lake is the biggest lake in the West Africa due to his large surface (120 km2) and fishiness productivities. Unfortunately, it is faced with a lot of challenges due to traditional practice of fishing called "Acadja" and the management of every kind of waste. The objective of this study was to show Acadja's influence on the physico chemical quality of the water in Nokoué Lake, and even on the future of the ecosystem and all associated activities. Three sampling taken from Acadja side and also three sampling taken from no Acadja side during dry season have been tested in temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, turbidity, level in NO3 and NO2--, weight and length of fish. The analysis was made by spectrophotometer DR/2000 Hach, multipara meter wtw 340 and atomic absorption spectrophotometry for Toxic metals (lead). The result revealed that traditional system of fishing called Acadja influences almost of the physico chemical parameters of the water and the fauna aquatic around the Acadja area. Therefore, this practice will threaten and disrupt food security of the habitants by reducing fish productivity. The sensitization sessions are required to lead local people to adhere to sustainable resource management.

Keywords: traditional fishing, water pollution, aquatic ecosystem, fish productivity.