Effects of Water Pollution in Koluama Area, Niger Delta Area, Nigeria Fish Species Composition, Histology, Shrimp Fishery and Fishing Gear Type

Abstract

The effect of water pollution in Koluama Area in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to determine its effects on fish species composition, histology, shrimp fishery and fishing gear type. A total of twenty (20) species belonging to eleven (11) families were recorded. Strongylura senegalensis, Lagocephalus laevigatus, Tarpon atlantica, Pristis pristis, Galeoides decadatylus and Butis koilomatodon were rare. Ephippion guttifer, Chaetodipterus goreensis, Sardinella maderensis, Sardinella aurita, Liza falcipinnis, Mugil bananensis, Pentanemus quinquarius, Polydactylus quadrafilis and Trichuris lepturis were common. Ethmalosa fimbriata, Liza grandisquamis, Sphyraena guachancho, Mugil curema, Sphyraena guachancho and Dormitator pleurops were abundant. None was dominant. The highest number of fish species ( 16) were recorded in fish town and none was recorded in Kuloma 1 and one (1) was recorded for Kulauma 11. Foroupa, Ekeni, Ejetu and Ikebiri fishing port 1 and 2 recorded 8, 7, 3 and 5 fish species respectively. Artisanal fishing is based on traditional methods of fishing using essentially canoe and different fishing nets which depend on the season and target fish species. Canoes may be motorized or hand-paddled. Common gear types include shrimp traps, drift gill nets, set gill nets, cast nets, seine nets, hook and lines. Lift nets may be use by women folk who target small shrimp species in the creeks and creek lets. Other fishing methods include hand-picking for periwinkles, oysters and other shellfish by women folk and children. Prominent among the fishing devices are edek, a type of fish fence used in the creeks; alot, a large trap used on sand and mud-banks in the estuaries; and otunwa, a barbed spear. Fishers using these devices either operated from their home villages, exploiting the nearby waters, or staged long distance fishing expeditions, during which they lived in distant camps or house-boats. The heavy metals concentration level values are: Cd (0.013 a ±0.001), Cr (2.04 b ±0.01), Cu (2.16 b ±0.10), Pb (2.20 b ±0.16) and Zn (1.03 ab ±0.03) for Lagocephalus laevigatus; Cd (0.01 a ±0.001), Cr (1.60 b ±0.44), Cu (1.25 ab ±0.08), Pb (1.10 ab ±0.15) and Zn (0.50 b ±0.04) for Tarpon atlantica and Cd (0.02 ab ±0.003), Cr (2.35 ab ±0.40), Cu (2.60 a ±0.08), Pb (2.30 a ±0.45) and Zn (1.11 a ±0.17) for Pristis pristis. The presence of heavy metals in the fish samples examined is an evidence of environmental degradation.

An Advocacy for Marine Protected Areas Initiative for Conservation of Ecological Resources and Survival of Coastal Communities in Nigeria

“…This is a region where exploitation of oil and gas resources by Multinational Oil Corporations (MNOCs) have been ongoing for the past fifty decades. Various studies have also shown that their operations severely impact on the major habitats -the Atlantic Ocean, seas and estuaries, creeks and mangrove forests among others in the region [17]. The impact on the ecosystems is so huge that it affects the traditional economy and welfare of the coastal communities.…”

“…More than that, oil spillages badly affect the livelihoods of communities and individuals, especially coastal communities and fisher folks [17]. This is because the traditional economy of the Niger Delta people depends mostly on environmental resources.…”

Factors affecting the population trend of biodiversity in the Niger delta region of Nigeria

“…Fishes have been widely studied in surface water resources in several water resources in the Niger Delta. [41][42][43][44][45] Fish composition frequently found in surface water includes both shelled and fin fish depending on the habitat. In the present situation the fish composition, diversity and abundance is on the decreasing trend especially in surface water resources with high level of human interference.…”

Review of Impact of Anthropogenic Activities in Surface Water Resources in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: A Case of Bayelsa State

“…The region is a home of several plant species [40] and wildlife including reptiles, mammals, avian fauna among others [40,48]. Bayelsa state has several species of fish fauna including shelled and fin fish and some of them have been documented by Ogamba et al [49 -55], Abowei and Hart [56], Abowei and Ogamba [57], Abowei et al [58], Seiyaboh et al [59 -61]. Other aquatic resources found in the region include planktons [62], aquatic mammals, sea birds among others [4].…”