Characterization of Fishing Around Lake Madarounfa (Maradi/Niger) and its Impact on the Ecosystem

This study aimed to characterize fishing and its effect on the functioning of Lake Madarounfa. Surveys were conducted to identify the fishing practices, used gears, the fish stock, and the impacts of fishing activities on the ecosystem. The fish fauna was studied through the catches of artisanal fishermen at four stations from June to December 2023. Twenty-two species belonging to twelve families and nineteen genera were identified. The Cichlidae family, with 4 genera and 4 species, was the most prevalent. Of the 5 fishing gear identified, the gillnet was the most used. A total of 35 tons of fresh fish were produced during the present study. This result showed that the greatest catch per unit effort (CPUE) was found with the cast net (9.72 kg/h). The analysis of the size structures showed a dominance of small individuals. More than 73.97% of individuals were smaller than 18.11±9.25 cm, corresponding to the mean total length of all fish individuals measured during this study. This level of fishing pressure on juveniles could affect the normal recruitment of fish stocks and lead to biodiversity erosion. Due to the intensity of uncontrolled fishing all year, agricultural activities and climate change, the functioning of the ecosystem is greatly disrupted. This constitutes a threat to the sustainability of the ecosystemic services provided by the lake. The findings of this work suggests that to ensure a sustainable fishery management of the lake, it is necessary to establish continuous monitoring and strengthen the enforcement of laws concerning ecosystem protection around this water body.