Impacts of Sand Mining on Fish Breeding: A Review
Abstract
Sand mining, the process of extracting sand aggregate from the land surface and underneath the water surface, such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands, is a growing environmental concern. In the quest for economic development, unsustainable sand mining practices threaten the integrity and functioning of an aquatic ecosystem, specifically the fish breeding behaviour and ecology. The changes associated with sand mining alter the aquatic environment hydrologically, geomorphically, and ecologically and these impact fish reproductive behaviour. Despite more research on sand mining, including the environmental and socio-economic effects of sand mining, there is a knowledge gap on its impacts on fish breeding and general reproductive behaviour. In a narrative review, this review article explores the impact of sand mining on fish breeding ecology. Sand mining activities, including excavation, heavy machinery, transportation, ground clearance, alter sediment composition, food web dynamics, and increase noise and vibration pollution. This degrades the fish breeding habitat quality through altering sediment composition, reducing dissolved oxygen, increasing turbidity, and reducing macroinvertebrate populations, hence food shortages. Furthermore, this is associated with the reduced fish production in areas with high sand mining activities. To reduce the trend and mitigate these impacts, there is a need for an integrated approach. This includes implementing clear regulatory frameworks, adoption of sustainable mining practices, habitat protection and restoration programs. Further, there is a need for comprehensive research on the long-term impacts of sand mining on aquatic ecosystems.
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