Author:
Lobho Lopa Joel, Kalambulwa Nkombe Alphonse, Kimbembe Jeansy Alverick Duvaress, Kakule Muleverwa Simeon, Mumba Tshanika Urbai n, Diyazola Vweba Jeancy, Besisa Nguba Timothée, Tchouamo Isaac Roger, Ntoto M’vubu Roger, Bernard Riera

Doi: 10.26480/fabm.02.2024.52.58

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Wetlands provide several Ecosystem services to most of the populations which are linked. They significantly contribute to their economic subsistence. However, it is very difficult to estimate their economic value while they impact on the ecosystem development of human well-being. This study aims to estimate the economic value of Macrobrachium spp. and Ostrea edulis in the MMP and assess fishermen’s perceptions of the contribution of fish products to their well-being using the market price approach. The results revealed that the economic value of both products was estimated at 1,280,030 USD (2 816 066 200 FC). Macrobrachium spp. accounted for 31.12%, or 398 359 USD (876 390 200 FC), while Ostrea edulis accounted for 68.88%, or 881,671 USD (1 939 67 000 FC). Additionally, the results showed that the exploitation of Macrobrachium spp. and Ostrea edulis remains an important source of income for fishermen’s households. Then, the profits from fishing mainly enable fishermen to meet their food requirements, access medical care, and send their children to school. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that there is a need of reconciling conservation and sustainable use. Finally, monitoring and assessment of fish stocks harvested, the number of fishermen, the level of water pollution, and the development of a management plan are important to improve the sustainable management of all the provided ecosystem services from the wetlands