Assessment the conservation status and vulnerability of the ichthyological population of the Bandama River in the Marahou Region (Central West of Cte dIvoire)

Abstract

The conservation status and the vulnerability to fishing pressure of the ichthyological population of the Bandama River located in the Marahoue Region (Cote d’Ivoire) were assessed. Sampling of fish fauna was conducted from September 2019 to November 2020 using experimental and artisanal fisheries. The results of International Union for Conservation of Nature show that, the majority of the fish species (88.7%) inventoried were classified as "least concern". The "high to very high" and "very high" categories are represented respectively by two species and one species. These include Heterobranchus longifilis and Malapterurus electricus, which belong to the "high to very high" vulnerability category, and Clarias gariepinus, which belongs to the "very high" category. In addition, 79.87% of the species in this stand have vulnerability between "low" and "moderate".   Key words: Vulnerability to fishing pressure, Ichthyofauna,  Heterobranchus longifilis, Malapterurus electricus, Clarias gariepinus.