Towards Bui Reservoir Fisheries Sustainability: Perspectives of Riparian Community

Abstract

Sustainability after the creation of the Bui Dam has been problematic, with the Bui Power Authority (BPA) addressing the environmental,  economic, and social concerns related to sustainability. As a result, electricity generation and irrigationaremanaged to ensure long-term  social, economic, and ecological sustainability. Thestudy thus aims to advance societal progress by analysing the impacts of social,  economic, and environmental sustainability on both current and future generations, focusing on the concerns of reservoir stakeholders.  Approaches used were Formal Surveys guided by semi-structured interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), andKey Informant  Interviews (KII). Qualitative and quantitative data were collectedandanalysed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS).  Evidence showedthat fish capture, processing, and trade were critical economic activities that sustained residents and impacted their  economic, social, and cultural well-being. Fishers operated daily with unapproved and destructive gear such as hook-and-linetraps and  beach-seine nets, which were detrimental to the sustainability of thefisheries. The fishing pressure (1,500 fisher population and 2,000  canoes) was hostiletowards the sustainability of fishing in the reservoir. Recommendations weretorestrict the reserved reservoir  component, establish local fish catch monitoringstations, and build local fisher folk capacity to gather critical monitoringinformation.