Credit: Adam russel- A cutting-edge genetic study is laying the foundation for the future conservation of African fisheries, with a particular focus on the African bonytongue fish. Tofunmi Oladimeji, Ph.D., a Nigerian scientist, is spearheading efforts to ensure that future generations in Nigeria will continue to benefit from fishing this vital species.
Oladimeji, a former visiting research assistant in the laboratory of Dr. Luis Hurtado, professor and evolutionary biologist at Texas A&M University, acquired advanced genetic techniques aimed at conserving the African bonytongue, a freshwater fish species that has significant commercial and subsistence value across Africa. Upon returning to Nigeria, she joined a team of researchers in completing a comprehensive genetic assessment of these fish populations, with the goal of guiding sustainable conservation efforts.
Dr. Hurtado’s study, titled Critically Small Contemporaneous Effective Population Sizes Estimated for Stocks of the African Bonytongue in Western Africa, sheds light on the alarming decline in bonytongue populations in West Africa due to overfishing and habitat degradation. The research spanned 12 genetically distinct populations in Nigeria, Benin, and Cameroon, identifying the critical state of nine populations that are on the brink of extinction.
The bonytongue species, Heterotis niloticus, is facing imminent genetic risks, with most populations suffering from dangerously low numbers. Hurtado warns that if these populations fall below 50 individuals, the risks of inbreeding and genetic instability will increase, which could lead to short-term extinction. Furthermore, 11 out of the 12 populations are at long-term risk due to their inability to adapt to environmental changes such as habitat loss and climate fluctuations.
Oladimeji emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable management strategies and expressed hope that this research will influence Nigerian fisheries regulations, which largely overlook inland waters. “Fish are essential to our diet, both locally and beyond,” she said, stressing that this study’s recommendations could mitigate overfishing and habitat destruction in freshwater ecosystems.
Success stories from local fisheries demonstrate that populations can recover when conservation measures are implemented. Both Oladimeji and Alphonse Adite, Ph.D., a colleague now based in Benin, are using the tools they developed at Texas A&M to work with local leaders and devise plans for these fisheries’ long-term sustainability.
Hurtado notes that international collaborations such as this are pivotal for sharing expertise and creating lasting change. The data gathered from the study not only provides insights into the genetic health of the African bonytongue but can also be applied more broadly to biodiversity conservation efforts across Africa. The genetic tools developed during this research will help guide recovery plans for fish populations, ensuring that future generations can continue to harvest these important species.
“This research has a global ripple effect,” said Hurtado. “It equips local scientists with the skills and data needed to drive impactful conservation efforts, both in their home countries and beyond. That’s deeply fulfilling as a scientist and mentor.”
This groundbreaking study holds the promise of a more sustainable future for West African fisheries, enabling local action and long-term solutions to protect these unique species and the communities that depend on them.
Source: Agrilife Today
