Abstract:
Assessment of ichthyological biodiversity trend has become a necessity for the
conservation of fish species. This study was carried out on the Sélingué
Hydroelectric Dam Lake in Mali in order to contribute to sustainable
management techniques of fishing activities. Five (5) sites were selected from
the Lake area of influence. Purposive sampling technique enabled a survey of
the local perception among the target population. Also, a systematic
ichthyological inventory was conducted. The results show that the Sélingué
Hydroelectric Dam contains 95 species of fish distributed in 23 families,
including 13 migratory species. Local perception reveals 6 species of frequent
or abundant fish in the past (15 to 30 years or more) but which have become
rare in 2017. Brycinus macrolepidatus was the so-called rare species during this
same period but is presently frequent. Eight (8) endemic fish families in Africa
were found among the 23 fish families of the Lake. Of the threatened species,
10 species are endemic and 2 non-endemic species (Aleste dentex and Citharinus
latus). Overfishing seems to be the cause decrease in the number of fishes and
the disappearance of some species. A mechanism for sustainable participatory
management of the Lake fishery could mitigate the effects of overfishing.
