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Dredging and Dumping Impacts on Temporal Variation in Marine Fish Assemblages, Ghana
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  • Samuel K.K. Amponsah,
  • Francis K.E. Nunoo,
  • Angela M. Lamptey,
  • Ayaa Kojo Armah
Samuel K.K. Amponsah
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Faculty of Natural Resources

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Francis K.E. Nunoo
University of Ghana School of Social Sciences
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Angela M. Lamptey
University of Ghana School of Social Sciences
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Ayaa Kojo Armah
Ghana Statistical Service
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Abstract

Fish fauna biodiversity, abundance and distribution pattern are essential component needed for conservation and management strategies in any water body. The temporal variations of the fish assemblages in relation to maritime construction activities are poorly explored in Ghana. The association between the fish assemblage and construction activities were examined off the coast of Greater Accra, Ghana. A total of 37 and 14 species were identified prior and after the dumping activities at DSA dominated by S. dorsalis and B. auritus respectively. For the 27 and 24 species recorded before and after dredging activities at VNB, S. histrio and L. atlanticus & P. prayensis dominated respectively. SIMPER analysis revealed that S. micrurum, A. notacanthus and S. dorsalis were the most discriminating species at DSA while S. hoefleri and L. atlanticus discriminated most at VNB. Cluster analysis was used to temporally compare fish assemblage structures in sampling areas at both sampling sites (DSA and VNB). SimProf and ANOSIM analysis revealed that sampling location within the sites was not a major factor in changes in fish assemblages. Species richness and Shannon-Weaver index (H′) increased significantly after the dredging activities while at the dumping sites, species richness and Shannon-Weaver index decreased significantly after the dumping activities. Correspondence Analysis ordinations (CCA) revealed increase in herbivorous and benthic invertebrate feeders after the dredging activities while vermivorous and euryphagus feeders were proportionally high after the dredging activities. The driving factor influencing the temporal variation in fish assemblage structure at both sites is probably related to the dredging and dumping activities which affects the trophic guild of the species.
17 Aug 2024Submitted to Marine Ecology
19 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
19 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
24 Sep 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned