During sixteen days in April and June 2004, a preliminary survey was completed on the Afram Arm of the Volta Lake (in the Eastern Region of Ghana) to establish West African manatee prevalence in that locality of the Volta Lake. The area used by manatees was defined and mapped using GPS coordinates, and the conservation status of the manatee was established. Methods included: 1) Formal and informal interviews of key informants such as manatee hunters and fishermen, 2) Photographic records of manatee remains, hunting and trapping artifacts, and manatee damaged fishing nets, 3) Direct opportunistic observation of manatee and manatee feeding evidence, and 4) Abundance of preferred manatee food items.

Results confirmed the presence of a manatee population. Overall, the unique flooded forest habitat has created an ecosystem that supports the co-existence of manatees and humans, with partially submerged stumps characteristically scattered throughout the watercourse. This distinctive situation restricts the use and speed of motorized boats, defines the fishing methods that will be successful, and provides a slow-moving water course and safe haven for manatees. They are well known to the fishing people living along the Afram Arm of the Volta, known as ‘laale’ or ‘enor’ in Ewe and ‘laluuko’ in Ada. Fishermen come in contact with them regularly through their fishing practices, which include swimming under water in the setting and removal of fishing nets, and the use of non-motorized, dugout canoes.

However, anthropogenic activity in the locality appears intensive, with several main concerns for the long term survival of the species: 1) Hunting pressure – planned hunting appears to be minimal, but remains a potential threat to the survival of manatee in the area.

2) Fishing practices – certain fishing practices appear to be in conflict with manatee feeding and travel behavior, and may have adverse effects on the long-term survival of manatees in the area such as: a) the removal of floating vegetation for certain methods of fish harvesting, thereby altering the aquatic habitat; b) the competition for access to aquatic vegetation from fishermen using live vegetation as habitat for certain fish harvesting methods resulting in reduced access to feeding resources; and c) the use of purse seine nets for harvesting the fingerling ‘one-man thousand’ fish species, thereby resulting in the accidental trapping and by-catch of manatee.

Legal protection has been established for manatees in Ghana, and the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission prohibits trade and hunting of manatees. However, the enforcement of wildlife laws protecting the manatee is frustrated by a lack of resources, manpower, and limited awareness of existing regulations. In 2004, the NCRC survey team documented historic evidence that a small number of individuals have hunted manatees in the Afram catchments. The team concluded that manatee hunting did not appear to be a major livelihood strategy, and may be brought under control by working with the individuals concerned. Furthermore, through education and environmental awareness, it would be possible to support local people to make adjustments in their fishing and farming practices to reduce conflict with the species.

Further study was completed in April 2006, when international manatee scientist, Caryn Self-Sullivan, and the NCRC field research team undertook an 8-day field investigation of the same Volta Lake manatee population using the upper Afram Arm. This expedition furthered investigations from 2004 and aimed to investigate the viability of the manatee population and the feasibility of using the Earthwatch Research Model to help stem deleterious anthropogenic impacts on the population. A follow up survey was conducted over 7 days in June 2006 to share findings from the April field work with the local communities and to learn more about the level of interest in a potential conservation initiative for the West African manatee. Communities were unanimous in their support for an endeavor that could bring potential alternative economic opportunities to the depressed area.

Through this follow up field work, it was determined that the Volta Lake manatee population represents an opportunity to advance our breadth and depth of scientific knowledge related to insular populations of endangered species in general and West African manatees in particular. The research has the potential to significantly enhance the conservation status of the West African manatee in Ghana over the next 3 years through greater understanding of population status, distribution, behavioral ecology parameters, and anthropogenic impact. The project can increase awareness and reduce human/manatee conflict in the shoreline fishing communities; enhance local capacity and Ghanaian expertise with regards to this species; and improve economic and social conditions in the project communities. The West African manatee is a charismatic species that could be central to the development of eco-tourism efforts at the Volta Lake, offering economic benefits to the local inhabitants while simultaneously meeting conservation objectives. – Donna Sheppard (Sanctuaries Advisor, Nature Conservation Research Centre, P.O. Box KN 925, Accra, Ghana; djsheppa @ yahoo.com)

Source: Sirenews Number 47, April 2007
http://www.sirenian.org/sirenews.html