| INTRODUCTION Background Fish plays an important role in the national food security of Sierra Leone, accounting for about 75% of total animal protein intake (Kamara, 1991). The Sierra Leone coastline is 560km in length, the width of the shelf varies from 23.99km wide in the South and 119.93 in the North (Leslie, 1990). Sierra Leone has good fishing grounds, it is boarded by a continental shelf of about 19,000km2. Local fishermen operate in only about 19% of the total area and their operational range is between 5.14 to 8.57km depending on weather conditions. Foreign vessels operate around 5.14 to 119.93km. Fish is provided largely by the marine fishery sector, which comprises of the artisanal fishery sector and the industrial fishery sector, the latter being largely dominated by foreigners. The artisanal fishery sector provides fish at affordable prices to the local markets, while the industrial fishery sector is export oriented. The marine fishery resource could be classified into three broad categories: pelagics, demersal and shell fish stocks (Longhurst 1963). The pelagic fish stock consist of the true pelagics and the largely loose category often referred to as semi pelagics (Ssentengo and Ansa Emmin, 1986; Coutin 1989). The pelagics consist of some major families including Clupeiae (Ethmalosa fimbriata, Sarinella maerensis, Ilisha africana). Caranidae (Chloroscombrus chrysurus, Caranx hippos, C. senegalus); Balistiae (Balistes capriscus); Sombridae (Scomber japoniscus, Thunnus albacares., Katsu-wonus pelamis). The demersal fish stock consist of two (2) main groups: the sciaeni an the sparid fauna. The sciaenid consist of some major families including sciaenidae (Psedotolithus senegalensis, P. elongatus, P. typus); Cynoglossiae (Cynoglossus goreensis, C brown); Pomeaysidae (Pomaasys jubelini, P. branchygnathus); Polynemoiae (Pentanemus quinquarius, Polydactylus quarifilis). The sparid fauna consist of some major families which include: Lutjanidae (Lutjanus agennes, L goreensis), Acanthuroiae (Acanthurus moroviae); Sparidae (entex Carariensis, Pagrus auriga); Triglidae (Lepiotrigla cadmani, Trigla lucerna). The shell fish consist of some major families including; Palinuriae (Panulirus regius); Peraedae (Penaeus kerathurus, P notialis); Porturidae (Callinectis Sp); Sepiidae (Sepia officinalis); Ommastrephiae (Illex coindeti); Octopofiaae (Octopus vulgaris). The Artisanal Fishery Sector Artisanal fishery is practiced by low income communities usually in rural coastal areas. They use low mechanization and rudimentary fishing gears often constructed by inadequate technological know-how. Illiteracy and poverty are the major institutional weakness in this sector. Majority of the people living in coastal settlements are directly involved in either fishing, fish processing and marketing of the catch. Most of the boats in the artisanal sector are small wooden canoes (either dugout or planked). These include Kru type, standard 1-3, standard 3-5, standard 5-10, Ghana planked and dug-out. The traditional fishing gears in this sector are mainly; gill nets, purse seines, beach seines, cast nets, long-lines, an hook and lines ñ most of which were introduced by Ghanaian fishermen in the late 1950s thus intensifying the exploitation of clupeidae. Between 1963 and 1966 the number of fishermen was estimate to be around 11,000 an 16,000 respectively with a total catch of about 24,000 tonnes (Nomahina an Chaytor, op cit). Vakily (1994), found that in 1990 about 5,700 canoes were in the artisanal fishery sector. They comprise of about 4,500 small crafts (Kru an Standard 1-3, 100 medium to large size boats (Standard 5-10) and 220 Ghanaian boats. About 10% of the boats were motorized with outboard engines. The most dominant gear was the gill net (5,000) followed by the hook an line (2,4501, cast net (720) and beach seines (480). Though comparatively small in number ring net (330) represent probably the most important type of gear in artisanal fishing in terms of catch volume. 327 landing sites have so far been identified in the artisanal fishery sector, in Sierra Leone. Of these 38 have been declared as major landing sites. Landings from the artisanal sector are dominated by Ethmalosa fimbriata an Sarinella maderensis. Over the years there has been a steady decline in catch of these species from a peak of about 62,000 metric tones in 1975 to a stabilized level of about 40,000 ñ 45,000 tonnes. Landings are greatest during the dry season (November ñ June), they fall to negligible quantities during the wet season. (Olomojeye). The Industrial Fishery Sector Despite the fact that the artisanal fishery sector lands a limited amount of inshore demersal species, on the other hand demersal fishery has been dominated by the industrial fishery sector since the 1050s (Ndomahina and Chaytor, 1991). The industrial fishery sector comprises mainly of purse seiners, fish trawlers, shrimpers, tuna seiners, long liners and supporting vessels for transshipment. At present, there is no genuine national fleet in Sierra Leone, most of them are from Asia and Europe. According to the laws of Sierra Leone, industrial fishing vessels can only operate within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Sierra Leone and not the Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ), which are reserved only for the artisanal fishery sector (Vakily, 1994). By 1962, five fish trawls of Italian origin were operating in the country. By the 1970s the Sierra Leone Company had acquired 45 Soviet vessels. Shrimps also became an important foreign exchange earner. Currently, seven companies are engaged in industrial fishing. All vessels licensed under the industrial fisheries sector of Sierra Leone are oblige to be represented by a local agent. It is difficult to standardize fishing effort in the coastal waters of Sierra Leone because different fishing companies present different information to the Fisheries Division. Fundamental differences occur among trawlers with regards to: search time, Engine Power (HP), depth of fishing, Gross Tonnage (GRT), fishing time (number of trips, days at sea, days on fishing grounds etc) and fishing equipment an gears. Methodology Study Area description Funkia is a major fishing community in the Western Area of Sierra Leone. It is located in the Goderich Peninsular area of Freetown and lies between latitude 8&Mac186; 26í1 0 seconds North and Longitude 13&Mac186; 17í0 sec West. It covers an area covers an area of about 8.5ha. The three main landing sites in Funkia are; Kondowater Wharf, located by the river estuary between Levuma beach and Funkia village, the New England Ville Wharf and the Shella Water Wharf. The major socio-economic activities are fishing trading, fuel wood collection, boat ñ building and repairing and fish processing. Most of the housing units in Funkia are sub-standard ìpan boyî structures. Sanitation is poor as there are few standing pipes and latrines, which serve the community. People use the bushes and wharfs as toilets Survey/Sampling Procedures A two track approach was adopted in collecting in collecting the data for this study: On one hand, personal interviews using semi-structure questionnaire were conducted with fishermen in the Funkia community, and on the other basic scientific methods were used to measure the lengths an weights of target species. The study population comprises mainly crews of fishing canoes. They were all men between the ages 20-45 years. This study population was chosen because of their wider involvement in the exploitation of fishery resources for their livelihood. Women do not partake in off shore fishing because of the risk involved. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered between the periods 24th November ñ 14th December 2001. Prior to the questionnaires administration, it was pretested and modified, after necessary adjustments were made on it was then administered. The questionnaire was divided in to three (3) sections: section A solicited information an age, sex, educational status and occupation. Section B obtained information on vessel type, type(s) of fishing gear and method of propulsion. Section C solicited information on the distance covered, major species caught, stocks that are declining in catch, incidence of poaching by industrial vessels, and recommendation for sustainable use and management. An exploratory survey was done on the 20th of November 2001, where a predetermined sample size was made. A total on site sample of 25 fishermen were interviewed. The nature and reasons for research were clearly explained during the interviews/discussions, and emphasis was made on the confidentiality of the information gathered. Questions on the questionnaire were translated in Creole and responses were recorded in English. It trouble me a lot to convince the fish mongers to use their goods (fishes) for carrying out basic measurements on the target species. At times it cost me money, to pay those who assisted me to carry out the measurements within the limited time the mongers gave me. These were difficulties I never preempted. Measurements The lengths (standard lengths) of the target species selected at random were measure. This was done on a weekly basis for three (3) weeks starting from November to December 2001. Sampling was one on three (3) boats. Catch in Funkia are counted in dozens. Weight measurements were one for each target specie (per dozen). Selected at random and multiplied by the total catch landed. This was done for every sample. I made the following assumptions: 1. Trends are similar for all the boats at the landing site 2. Weight is reflective of changes 3. Length is directly proportional to age of fish Analysis of Data Descriptive statistical methods were use in analyzing the data collected from the measurements made and answers recorded from respondents. Data obtained from the respondents were converted into percentages. Frequency counts were used in classifying species caught, according to their length. Results and Discussions The result of the study are divided into three sections; one reflecting the socio-economic characteristics, another the types of vessel and gear use and another the ways and means by which the fishes are exploited. Table I ñ Percentage distribution showing socio Economic characteristics of fishermen in the Funkia community. (Note from YouthCaN: this information was e-mailed to us and the data tables did not come through propperly, we are trying to get Morie Alpha to send the information in a format that we can post here...) Characteristics of Respondents Frequency (f) Percentage % All Respondents 1. Sex Male Female 25 25 0 100 100 0 2. Educational Status Primary School Secondary School Tertiary/Vocational Education No Formal Education 6 2 0 18 24 8 0 68 3. Occupation Other No other 5 20 20 80 The results revealed that the respondents have a mean age of 28 years and a standard deviation of 19.33 years. On their education status 68% of them attested not to have ha any formal education, 80% claimed to have attained secondary education, 24% said they attended primary school and non of them claimed to have ha a vocational or tertiary education. 80% of the respondent had no other occupation but fishing. 20% of them were involved in other income generating activities like boat-building, blacksmithery, fish processing and market gardening. Which they said they took up due to the drop in their catch. Table II ñ Types of Vessels and gears Gear Frequency (F1) Percentages % 1. Vessel Ghana Planked Canoes Standard 3 ñ 5 Canoes Standard 1 ñ 3 Canoes Kru Canoes 16 4 2 3 64 16 8 12 2. Fishing Nets Bottom Nets Shark Nets Surface Drift Nets Ring Nets 1 1 4 19 4 4 16 76 3. Propulsion Oars (Paddle) & Sails Engine 3 22 12 88 From the results it can be seen that 64% of the fishermen in the community use the Ghana planked canoe. Only 12% of them use the Kru canoe. 76% of the fishermen said they use ring nets for fishing. They admitted to having stopped using hook and line because of the small returns they get from it. The fishermen named the following stocks as their catch; sharks [Squaius acanthias, Sphyrna lewani, Scdiodor terrae novae], Skates[Dasyatis magarita}, Snapper(Spridae),record(Epinephelus aenus), Bonito(Sarda sarda), Sardinella maderensis, Ilisha africana, mackrel (Scomber japanicus), grouper(Pomadyssus jubelini), catfish(Arius laticustatus) , Spanish(Polydactylus quadrifilis) , couta (Barracuda),shine nose(Galeiodes decadactylus),lady long neck(P.Typus), P.elongates, Caranx spp. Bonga(Etmalosa frimbrata),Albula vulpes, Katsuwonus pelamis, Cynoglossus senegalensis, Pseudotolithus senegelensis, Platycephalus gruevelli, Tranchiotus goreensis. On the issue of species declining and disappearing, the Kru canoe fishermen who hardly fish beyond 2nm (nautical mile) claimed to have been most affected. They said fish stocks like snapper (sparidae), Bonita (sarda sarda), crocos (Pomaasys peroteti), Spanish (Polyactylns quarifilis) are very difficult to come by these days. They claimed to have been catching between 6-8 dozen (per specie) for every trip they made ten (10) years ago. For stocks like Grouper (Pomayssus jubelini), couta(Baracouda) and skeet, they said the that only catch between 1-6 (per sp) of them for every trip they make. They further claimed to have been catching between 5-6 dozens of these stocks 10 years ago. The Ghana planked and standard 3-5 canoe fishermen who fish between 3-5nm were almost unanimous in naming the species which they claimed to be disappearing, they are; snapper, catfish, lady longneck. They said, their catch of these species has declined from between 50-60 dozens (per specie) 10 years ago to about 8-16 dozens at present. They blamed the industrial vessels poaching on the IEZ for the declining fish stock. They said the industrial vessels also share fish stocks like snapper, Crocos, Spanish, Couta, and Groupa . They also acknowledged that the decline in the fish stock may again be due to the increase in the number of artisanal fishermen. I also saw Senegalese and Ivorian fishermen who operate shark and skeet canoes. The fishermen said the above factors have influenced their methods of fishing. Most of them admitted they have abandoned hook and line gear because of the little turn over they get from it. The Kru canoe fishermen said they have reduced their mesh sizes from the ìthree fingerî diameter to the ìtwo fingerî diameter. The target species were; Ethmolosa fimbrita (Bonga), Pseuotolithus elongates (Gwangwa), Sardinella maderensis (Herring), Sphyraena sphyraena and T. goreensis I calculated the mean length of the target species and they are as follows: E fimbrita was 19.6, P elongatus 23.3cm, S. Sphyraena was 41.3cm, S. Maderensis was 17.9cm, and T. goreensis was 25.0. Discussion From the results it is indicative that 68% of the respondents were illiterate. This shows an institutional weakness on the part of the fishermen to even realize that overfishing and over harvesting of juveniles leads to extinction of some species. The economic structure of Funkia implies that the degree of covert employment is difficult to access, because of this a large number of its residents (about 80%) are directly involve in fishing, fish processing and marketing thereby increasing the pressure on the fishery resources. As the type of net and mesh size determine the potential for increased catch, most Ghana planked canoe now use ring net and rift nets. Previously, these were only used by small scale fishing vessels like standard 1-3 and Kru canoe. 40% of mostly the Ghana planked canoes claimed to have lost fishing gears to industrial vessels poaching in the IEZ some claimed the industrial vessels were deliberately catching and throwing away storks like Herrings, E.fimbrita, sharks and skates as by catch in order to discourage them from entering into rich fishing grounds. The fishermen also claimed industrial vessel shatter rocks where snappers (Sparidae) dwell, when they fish, thereby destroying their habitat. When the IEZ was reduce from 5nm to 3nm in November 2000, competition was intensified between artisanal an industrial vessels, there was a low catch in demersal species by the artisanal sector. When the IEZ was later reversed, the artisanal sector improved their catch of the following species; S. spahyraena, Trachiotus goreensis, Galeoies decadactylus, Caranx sp, Polyactylus quarifilis The mean length range for Ethmalosa fimbriata was 18-2cm and 22.5cm respectively. The mean length recorded for the industrial sector is 28cm, indicating that the artisanal sector is exploiting juveniles. The mean length range for Psedotolithus elongates was 24.5 and 21.3cm. The mean length for the industrial sector is 27cm. Longhurst (1968) recorded the mean length for F. elongates for Sierra Leone as 27.32cm. George (1982) found that 50% of F.elongates in Sierra Leone mature between 27cm to 30cm. Comparing the mean lengths of Longhurst and George with that of the industrial and the artisanal it is evidently clear that the artisanal sector is exploiting juvenile stocks. The mean length range for S. maderensis was 14.8cm and 22.0cm respectively. The mean length at first maturity is 15cm. Nieland (1980) Coutin (1989) recorded the mean length for S maderensis in Sierra Leone as 27cm to 28cm. The mean length for the industrial sector is 27cm. From these it is evident that the catch of the artisanal are mostly juveniles. The mean length range for S. sphyraens was 31.4cm an 47cm. The maximum mean length of sphyraena can attain is 50cm, meaning the artisanal sector are probably exploiting juveniles. The mean lengths for Trachinotus goreensis are 23.9cm and 26.1cm. The maximum mean Trachinotus can attain is 30cm confirming speculations that the artisanal sector is exploiting juveniles. As most artisanal fishermen no longer venture far out into the sea in order to avoid loosing their net to industrial vessels, they try to maintain a high catch by reducing their mesh size and fish in shallow nursery areas, which cause them to catch a higher proportion of juveniles. The fishermen said during the time of the military interregnum of 1997 and the January 6 invasion, most of the industrial vessels fled the country. Their returns rose dramatically from about eight dozen (per specie) to 50 dozen (per specie). This indicates that there is a potential for the fish stocks of Sierra Leone to regenerate themselves in terms of numbers if properly manage. CHAPTER FIVE Summary and Conclusion From the result, it can be seen that 68% of the respondent were illiterate, this explains why most of the fishermen find it difficult to realize the potential danger of juvenile fish exploitation for the future of the fishing industry. In order to increase their catch most of the fishermen in Funkia have resulted to the use of more indiscriminate gears like the ring nets, drift nets and bottom nets. This has led to the increase in catch of juveniles. Poaching into the IEZ by industrial vessels is a major factor that has forced the artisanal fishery sector to target juvenile stocks. It also leads to the destruction of fish habitats and breakdown of the marine food web. The exploitation of certain species of fish affects the abundance of the others through predator/prey linkages or by interspecific competition. Current perception of this linkage of species in an oceanic food web raise the problem analogous to that of stock boundaries for single species. This recognizes the Darwinian concept (Sinclair, 1988), that self reproducing population should be managed through their range irrespective of juridictional boundaries that lie across the range of the unit stock in question. (FAO, 1993 1995e). BIBLOGRAPHY Brainerd, T.R. 1978, Some data on landings of pelagic fish by the artisanal near Freetown during January to December 1972. Bulletin of the Institute of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone. The demersal fish of Sierra Leone with notes on recent research surveys CECAF/ECAF ser. 80/23. Coutin, P.C. 1989, The effect of the long-term exploitation of tropical demersal fish stocks. Ssentengo, G.W. an Emmin, 1986, Marine Fishery Resources of Sierra Leone: A review of exploited fish stock F.A.O., CECAF/ECAF ser. 86/36. |
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