Bushmeat, over-fishing and covariates explaining fish abundance declines in the Central Congo Basin

摘要: Fish stocks are declining at alarming rates in the Central African forests but little is known about patterns of fishing pressure for different areas. To contribute to understanding covariates that could explain these trends, this study documented relative abundances fish eleven sites western Democratic Republic Congo relation human density, distance from nearest markets and mean numbers nets. Linear regression indicated that, taken alone, 88 % observed differences abundance correlated with number nets 60 were attributable market. Human density was marginally associated abundance. The also shows wildlife followed same trends: where more species remain, there abundant stocks. two conservation messages paper as case bushmeat, becomes a problem when commercial market its prime driver solution bushmeat crisis reduce over-fishing.