Deforestation is threatening fish populations and local livelihoods in the Central African Republic, where fishing communities are struggling with declining catches.
Residents living near the Mbali River in Boali say fish are becoming harder to find. Meanwhile, the destruction of nearby forests is putting additional pressure on the river’s ecosystem.
Local fishermen warn that continued tree cutting could threaten their main source of income.
The situation also highlights growing environmental concerns across the Congo Basin, home to the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest.
Fishermen struggle as catches decline
Fishing has long supported families living along the Mbali River. However, residents say their catches have become smaller in recent years.
Local fisherman Jean-Romeo Senguemboli believes deforestation is contributing to the problem.
He says residents continue to cut down trees to produce charcoal for cooking and heating.
As a result, fewer trees remain to protect the surrounding environment.
Senguemboli also fears that rising temperatures and lower water levels could make conditions worse.
He warned that continued forest destruction could eventually leave local fishermen without enough fish to support their families.
Furthermore, he said the fish caught in the river are becoming smaller.
These changes have increased concerns about the future of fishing in the area.
Fish shortages affect local markets
The decline in fish catches is also affecting traders and consumers.
Fishmonger Flore Ouagbele says demand remains high despite falling supplies.
Buyers regularly travel to Boali from other towns, including Yaloké and the capital, Bangui.
Consequently, local residents sometimes struggle to find enough fish in their own markets.
The growing demand has placed additional pressure on fishermen, who already face difficulties securing sufficient catches.
For many families, fishing provides both food and income.
Therefore, any long-term decline in fish populations could affect household livelihoods and local food supplies.
How deforestation threatens river ecosystems
Environmental experts say forests play an important role in protecting rivers and supporting aquatic life.
Trees help maintain soil stability and reduce erosion. Their roots also limit the amount of sediment entering nearby waterways.
However, removing trees can increase the amount of soil washed into rivers.
This makes the water more cloudy and can damage important fish habitats.
In addition, changes in water temperature and oxygen levels can make survival more difficult for some fish species.
Yves Kaengonza, an environmental expert at the Central African Republic’s Ministry of Water, Forests, Hunting and Fisheries, warned about the consequences of tree cutting.
He explained that deforestation can destroy areas where fish reproduce.
As a result, fish populations may struggle to recover when environmental conditions worsen.
Congo Basin forests face growing pressure
The challenges facing Boali reflect wider concerns about forest protection in Central Africa.
The Congo Basin contains the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest after the Amazon.
Its forests support wildlife, protect water resources and provide livelihoods for millions of people.
However, logging, charcoal production and other human activities continue to place pressure on forest ecosystems.
For communities that depend on rivers, the loss of surrounding trees can have direct economic consequences.
In particular, declining fish populations can reduce incomes and threaten local food security.
Meanwhile, nearly 200 countries are gathering at a United Nations biodiversity summit in Armenia.
The discussions focus on major threats to nature, including deforestation, pollution and biodiversity loss.
Local communities face an uncertain future
For fishermen in Boali, the environmental challenges are already affecting daily life.
Residents say declining catches have made it harder to earn a living. At the same time, demand for fish continues to grow.
Environmental experts warn that protecting forests is essential for maintaining healthy river ecosystems.
Without stronger conservation efforts, fishing communities could face further pressure in the years ahead.
The situation shows how deforestation can affect not only forests and wildlife but also the families who depend on nearby rivers for survival.