Identification and Characterization of Critical Sites for Small Pelagic Fish in the Coastal Marine Area of Senegal, West Africa

Ndour Ismaïla,Thiaw Modou,Fall Massal,Baldé Assiatou,Diop Mika,Thiam Ndiaga,Faye Saliou

doi:10.5296/jbls.v11i1.15131

Abstract

Better management of coastal marine resources generally requires good knowledge of habitats and resources. This need led to the performance of an identification and bioecological characterization study of critical sites for small pelagics in the Senegalese coastal marine zone. Biological and ecological data were collected using beach seines (12 to 28 mm mesh) and surface drifting gillnets (28 to 36 mm mesh) at sites identified by fishermen on the basis of surveys. The results of the study highlight the bioecological characteristics of these sites: (i) the Port-Baie Hann site - a nursery and spawning site with a high diversity for the target species; it is under marine pollution threat; (ii) the Mbodiène-Ngazobil site, with high diversity for target species and the Kafountine-Cap site are nursery and spawning sites under high fishing pressure, (iii) the Diakhanor-Sangomar site - a spawning site under the potential threat of exploration of offshore Sangomar oil in addition to the high fishing pressure. This work is a first flagship contribution to a process that should lead to the development and control of new tools for the effective and sustainable management of small pelagics at national and regional scales.

Highlights

In Senegal, small pelagic fishery provide the basis for a multitude of activities and jobs
2.2 Surveys In order to identify the critical sites of small pelagics, surveys were carried out among 459 people composed mainly of fishermen
The predominance of specialized fishermen in pelagic fisheries or in the use of mixed fishing gear was an asset in the validity of the information provided by fishermen in view of their knowledge of the target species. 4.1 Nursery and Spawning Ground 4.1.1 Size Spectrum The analysis of the size spectrum of small pelagic species provided a clear overview of the bio-ecological characteristics of the sites identified along Senegal's coastal zone

Summary

Introduction

In Senegal, small pelagic fishery provide the basis for a multitude of activities (fishing, fish processing and selling) and jobs. The Sardinella fishery contributes mainly to the supply of local and regional markets (Dème et al, 2012; Ba et al, 2017). It employs more than 25% of artisanal fishermen (16,000 fishermen) and provides about 70% of Senegal's fish consumption (Ba et al, 2017). In addition to these socio-economic benefits (Dème, 2012), small coastal pelagic species (PPC) are of ecological interest because of their position in the trophic food web (Cury et al, 2000)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion