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Central African Fish Crisis: Deforestation Dries Up Rivers
22 Oct
Summary
- Deforestation for charcoal production lowers river levels and oxygen.
- Fishermen report smaller catches and fewer fish available at markets.
- Charcoal producers cite lack of alternatives for making a living.
Jean-Romeo Senguemboli, a fisherman on the Mbali River in the Central African Republic, has witnessed a stark decline in his catch. Experts attribute this to extensive deforestation around Boali, where trees are felled to produce charcoal for cooking and heating. This practice is diminishing river levels, increasing water turbidity, and reducing oxygen, all detrimental to fish breeding.
Market sellers in Boali are experiencing shortages, with demand increasing even from the capital, Bangui. Fishermen also note that the fish caught are smaller than in previous years, a change attributed to heatwaves and climate change. For many in this impoverished nation, fishing is a vital income source.
Despite the ecological consequences, charcoal production remains a necessity for livelihoods. Saint-Cyr Gaba, a charcoal producer, explains that during the dry season, basic needs are hard to meet, leaving no alternative but to produce charcoal. This demand fuels the ongoing destruction of forests impacting the Mbali River's ecosystem.
Experts from the water and forestry ministry confirm that deforestation leads to reduced water depth and destroys fish spawning grounds. WWF highlights that while risks to land animals are visible, the threats to freshwater fish, such as sedimentation and altered water temperatures caused by deforestation, are often overlooked. Other factors like dam construction and agricultural expansion also threaten African freshwater ecosystems.
