Preliminary observations on the effect of the insect larvicide abate on fish catches in the river Oti, Ghana
The immediate effect of Abate on fish was studied in the River Oti in Ghana. Abate is an organophosphorus compound used as an insect larvicide in the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in the Volta basin. This study was undertaken in order to contribute to the future interpretation of results obtained from routine surveys in the Volta basin, to assess the long-term effect of Abate on fish. The study lasted 48 h and Abate was applied about 24 h after the commencement of study. During the study period fewer numbers and species of fish were caught during the daytime than at night (between sunset and sunrise). Greater numbers of fish were caught in the 24 h prior to the application of Abate than in the 24 h after spraying. Within 5 min of Abate application fish at the dosing point exhibited erratic overt movements, but there were virtually no fish killed.
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