Publication Date:
2021-05-19
Description:
The value of mangrove ecosystems and the wide variety
of useful functions that they perform have been well
documented (Turner, 1977; Robertson, 1986; Singh, 1987;
Bailey, 1988). For marine fishes especially, and many aquatic
organisms, mangrove provide spawning, nursery and
forage grounds for post larvae and juveniles (Weistein,
1979; Shenker and Dean, 1979; Robertson and Duke, 1987;
Sasekumar et al., 1992).
The dependence of juveniles of many marine species on
mangrove ecosystems is attributed to their higher
productivity as compared to adjacent marine areas
(Robertson, 1986). Mc Hugh (1966) estimated that
approximately two thirds of commercially important fishes
depend on estuarine habitats for the growth of their
young. In fact, good correlation has been found between
fish and shrimp yields and the area of mangroves adjacent
to identified fishing grounds (Brusher, 1974; Mac Nae,
1974; Turner, 1977; Sasekumar and Chong, 1987).
Mangroves also serve a vital link for anadromous and
catadromous species that need both fresh and marine
environments to complete their life cycle.
In spite of their unique physical, biological and economic
functions, mangroves and other coastal wetlands are being
destroyed with little regard for the consequences. The
Lower Volta area in Ghana is no exception. The concern for
mangrove loss prompted the implementation of the Lower
Volta Mangrove Project (LVMP).
The LVMP aimed at collecting base line information that
could help in the formulation of management strategies to
ensure sustainable utilisation of the mangrove resource
for the benefit of the local people who depend on them.
This study provides baseline information on the fishery
component of the project.
Description:
Published
Keywords:
Mangrove swamps
Repository Name:
AquaDocs
Type:
Non-Refereed
,
Article
Format:
138774 bytes
Format:
application/pdf
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