punctatus, Chloroscombrus chrysurus, Selene dorsalis, Ilisha africana, and the shrimp Penaeus notialis.
The catch from the beach seine gear was high on the day of the survey, with 20 and 13 baskets of fish recorded respectively by the two gears. The fishers did not allow investigators to sample
catch prior to sorting. They preferred to sort the catch by removing all bigger sized fishes to their wives before anyone could get near the catch. Investigators noted one individual specimen
of the rare triple tail fish Lobotes surinamensis about 100 cm in total length landed by one of the gears while the other gear landed 4 pieces of Pseuthololithus typus, sizes ranged from 95 to
125 cm. The catch was dominated by the ribbon fish Trichiurus lepturus and Sardinella auritus. Other species caught in smaller quantities were Pseudotholithus senegalensis, Ilisha africana,
Galeoides decadactylus, Pentanemus quinquarius, Chloroscombrus chrysurus, and a large quantity of jellyfish.
3.6.4 Terrestrial ecosystems
The Ankobra estuary has mangrove vegetation dominated by Avicennia germinans and Rhizophora racemosa. Machaerium lunatum, Dalbergia escastophyllum and Achrostichum
aureum mangrove associates are also well represented Appendix 10. In addition to R. racemosa and A. germinans, Pterocapus santalinoides is also listed as Lower RiskLeast
Concern by IUCN. Dalbergia escastophyllum, Achrostichum aureum and Machaerium lunatum are among the mangrove associates present at the site.
3.6.5 Critical Features and Conservation Significance
The upstream mining activities, including “galamsey” and sand mining potentially impact on the water quality with elevated turbidity and total dissolved solids as well as heavy metal
concentration. Turbidity may affect the estuarine fisheries that could translate into socio economic concerns. Further, the trace metals may accumulate in the tissuesorgans of fish
species and other aquatic organisms with the potential transfer in the chain to humans. Impaired water quality will substantially influence aquatic biodiversity negatively and overall ecosystem
health and thereby its ability to produce goods and services to humans.
One environmental issue of concern to the community members is the flooding of the Ankobra River, which has caused the loss of lives and infrastructure in the past. The locals believe that
the flooding is caused by the construction of the bridge. In addition to the flooding that leads to increased breeding of mosquitoes, other critical conditions mentioned include poor sanitation and
improper disposal of water. Although, there is a public dumpsite in addition to individual burning of rubbish, refuse is dumped in the river and liquid waste into the gutter, street, river or
sea. There are traditional rules against dumping of refuse in water bodies and defecation at the sea shore, but community members believe thses are not as effective as before.
The biodiversity of the estuary does not indicate any conservation significance. However, the water resources support economic activities of the surrounding communities mainly in terms of
fisheries.
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3.7
Miamia
The ecological habitat of Miamia in the Ahanta West District is mainly of sandy beach and rocky boulders at the eastern side Appendix 5; Figure 12. It site is sheltered from the impact of the
open sea waves by a coastal forest. With the characteristics of a bay, the water of the beach is quite calm and clear coupled with the serene environs.
Figure 12. Rocky cobble beach at Eastern Side of Miamia 3.7.1 Biodiversity
3.7.1.1 Macrobenthic fauna A total of 21 species of rocky epibenthic fauna were encountered Table 10. These consisted of
12 gastropods, one bivalve, 4 crustaceans, 2 echinoderms and anthozoans each Table 11. The gastropods were species rich but the barnacle,
Cthamalus dentata
and echinoderm, Echinometra lucunter were numerically abundant. As a result of the boulders, numerous species of mollucs
and xanthic crabs were observed under the rock crevices Figure 13; Figure 14. There were 6 macroalgal species. The low species of macroalgae might due to boulders, which are unstable
substrates that limit the establishment of macroalgae spores
Table 10. Abundance of major macrobenthic faunal groups at Miamia
Taxa Number of species
Percentage
Gastropods 12
57.14 Bivalves
1 4.76
Fauna Crustacean
4 19.05
Enchinoderm 2
9.52 Cnidarian
2 9.52
Total 21
100
Chlorophyta 2
33.33 Flora
Phaeophyta 4
66.67
Total 7
100
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Table 11. Inventory of rocky shore fauna and macroalgae of the Miamia rocky beach
Mollusc Crustacean
Macroalgae Gastropod
Echinolittorina pulchella Echinolittorina cingulifera
Echinollitorina. granosa
Thais nodosa Grapsus grapsus
Cthamalus dentata Panopeus sp.
Pagurus sp. Chlorophyta Greens
Bryopsis pennata Chaetomorpha antennina
Phaeophyta Browns
Chaetomorpha linum Basispora Africana
Thais heamastoma Echinoderm
Nerita atrata Cidaroidea sp.
Patella safiana Siphonaria pectinata
Pranasis sp. Echinometra lucunter
Rhodophyta Reds Lithothamnia
Algal turf Arca senilis
Anthozoan
Nudibrach Aplysia sp.
Bivalvia
Barbatia sp. Anthopleura spp.
Zoanthus sp.
Figure 13. Echinometra lucunter and Zanthid colony at Miamia sheltered rocky boulders
Figure 14. Under rock bivalve and Nudibrachs of the Miamia rocky beach.
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3.7.2 Fisheries
