Effect of drought, dams and fishing pressure on the fisheries of the Central Delta on the Niger river

The fishing sector in Mali is now in a general slump. The Sahelian drought is primarily responsible for the low flooding, the decrease of floodplains and the lack of fish recruitment. During the lowest flood years, fish landings may decline by 40,000 metric tons. Dams built for agricultural or electrical use are also playing a part in reducing floodplain area: in 1989, the decrease of production was estimated at 5,000 tons, for landings of about 45,000 metric tons. During the dry season, the stock of adults, which are particularly in danger of overfishing, is partly ensured by the releasing of water from dams which disturb fishing. The crisis which come from a natural phenomenon has developed sociological and economical disruptions. The number of fishermen has doubled in the last 20 years and the catch per effort has reduced according to the decline of catches. Thus communal strife has increased. (Résumé d'auteur)