Authors : B.A. Ekeke , O.A. Davies and J.F. Alfred-Ockiya
Abstract: The impact of sand dredging off Atlantic Ocean of the Bonny River Estuary on fish catch in the surrounding fishing communities was studied. This study was conducted to assess the major fish species commonly caught at the selected major landing sites in the area. Sampling was carried out for three consecutive days twice a month between October and November 2002 from three major fish landing sites (Bonny Coal Beach, Amariaria/Lighthouse and Bregidi). The fish catch study was carried out within and around the areas that could be affected by the runoff water from the stockpiled dredged sand. A total of 45 fish species (finfishes and shellfishes) from 33 families were identified during this study. The finfish families were Ariidae, Bagridae, Cichlidae, Clupeidae, Carangidae, Cynoglossidae, Dasyatidae, Ephippidae, Lutjanidae and amongst others. The observed shellfish families were Portanidae, Palaemonidae, Muricidae, Crassostredae, Ocypodidae and Potamidae. The estimated total fish landing values of this study were higher except at Bregidi than the values obtained in previous studies. The results showed that the river system was still a good fishing ground indicating that the sand dredging activities had no significant impact on the fish catch.
B.A. Ekeke , O.A. Davies and J.F. Alfred-Ockiya , 2008. Sand Dredging Impact on the Fish Catch in Bonny River Estuary, Nigeria. Environmental Research Journal, 2: 299-305.