Community management of the Lower Guinea Rainforest ornamental fishery

Abstract

Since September 2000, the WorldFish Centre has been studying the biogeography and ecology of Lower Guinea Rainforest rivers in southern Cameroon.In partnership with the Organization for the Environment and Sustainable Development (OPED), a local nongovernmental organization, four rainforest communities are being engaged in an effort to improve the efficiency and sustainability of river exploitation and management. The ultimate goal of this work is to establish functional village-based monitoring and management programmes that ensure the sustainability of commercialized and diversified natural resource exploitation. This chapter summarizes findings to date and progress on the implementation of a socially, economically and ecologically sound ornamental fishery business and management plan for Lower Guinea Rainforest rivers.