Some loss factors and processing methods of dried fishes used in the Sahelian domain of Cameroon

Abstract

Fish is an important source of protein, minerals and essential fatty acids for human nutrition. To ensure its permanent availability, this highly perishable commodity is processed and stored. However, during storage, dry fishes suffer significant quantitative and qualitative losses due to the lack of efficient pest control methods and preservative processes. An intensive interview survey was conducted with 175 dry fish sellers in markets and processors' families in the Logone basin from 2020 to 2021 to identify the causes of losses and the usual tools used to limit them. It was found that losses of dry fish start during handling and transport where inadequate packaging breaks the dry fish. In addition, fishes are attacked by insect pests, losses depend on fish species and climate. In the Logone basin, 14 species of fish are caught and processed, the most represented species are Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758 with 24.49%, Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822 with 21.26% and Brevimyrus niger Günther 1866 with 15.40%. Their major pests are insects (53%), rodents (28%) and fungi (9%). Moreover, during handling/transport, 10% are lost. The insects identified are from the family of Cleridae and Dermestidae. Cleridae predominate in the surveyed areas with 67.76% against 32.23% of Dermestidae. Four species are identified: Dermestes maculatus, Dermestes frischii, Dermestes ater and Necrobia rufipes. Moreover, to protect their fish against these insect pests, stakeholders use industrial chemicals, generally sold as plant protection products, and local products derived from biodiversity local. The most popular chemical pesticide applied on dried fish has dichlorvos as active ingredient (83%). The most used are DD FORCE (48.51%) and PRIME SHI (16.26%), at the level of sellers and processors. It is an extremely hazardous pesticide, damaging health of consumers and polluting the environment. It would be necessary to consider the use of bio insecticides for the protection of the dried fish against pests and for the health safety of consumers. Key words: Dry fish, insect pests, storage, pesticides, Cameroon, Logone basin