Effects of water hyacinth invasion on sustainability of fishing livelihoods along the River Tano and Abby-Tano Lagoon, Ghana

Alexander Y Segbefia,Emmanuel Honlah,Divine O Appiah,Fatih Yildiz

doi:10.1080/23311932.2019.1654649

Alexander Y Segbefia, Emmanuel Honlah + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2019.1654649

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Abstract

AbstractFishing and fish trading as livelihood activities come under severe threat due to water hyacinth infestation of fresh water bodies. Based on cross-sectional research with 126 fishermen and ...

Highlights

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a highly productive free-floating aquatic plant which has proven to be a serious economic and ecological burden to many subtropical and tropical regions of the world (Jafari, 2010)
Increased fish catch Contrary to the widespread opinion that water hyacinth invasion impede fish catch, 14.3% of fishermen in this study reported that the presence of the weeds led to increased fish catch
The study discussed that the effects of water hyacinth invasion mainly manifest itself negatively on the livelihood activities of fishermen and fish traders

Summary

Introduction

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a highly productive free-floating aquatic plant which has proven to be a serious economic and ecological burden to many subtropical and tropical regions of the world (Jafari, 2010). In spite of the adverse effects of water hyacinth, studies have shown that it promotes fish diversity, smaller species, and the mechanisms for this include reducing fishing pressure by providing habitat for fish and aquatic invertebrates (Kateregga & Sterner, 2009). Despite their value, water hyacinth presently remains a menace to riparian communities especially in Ghana since there is the lack of technical know-how to duly utilise these weeds for economic benefits (Honlah et al, 2019b)

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