The Discovery Bay Special Fishery Conservation Area (Figure 1) is demonstrating anincrease in the abundance of fishes. Its environs however,remain smothered by macroalgae which are presumed to be due to eutrophication and relatively low herbivory rates. Both shoreline sources and up-wellings bring pollutants into the Bay.
Water quality tests are being carried out to determine if these sources of pollution are affecting the health of the reefs present. This research aims to quantify the levels of dissolved pollutants entering the DBSFCA and determine their levels of impact on ecosystems.
The project, co-funded by the GEF-SGP,is being implemented in collaboration with the ALLOA Fishermen's Co-Opand will train community members to conduct sampling and analysis. Standard water chemistry instrumentation and tests kits are used to process the samples. The test parameters include Total Nitrogen, Biological Oxygen Demand, Faecal Coliforms, pH, Reactive Phosphorus, Salinity and Conductivity.
Preliminary results suggest that Discovery Bay hassites with elevated levels ofphosphates and faecal coliforms. We anticipate that further investigation will identify the precise sources of these pollutants. In addition that the results obtained from these tests will provide valuable baseline data, to assist in guiding developmental policy for the DB-SFCA area,with an aim to further improve the water quality and improve the fisheries in the area.