Impact of Aquatic Pollution on Indigenous Small Fish (ISF) Availability

The effect of pollution on Indigenous small fishes is a matter of growing concern as it has a profound impact on their survival and ecological roles. Pollution, arising from human activities such as industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal, introduces contaminants into water bodies, leading to detrimental consequences for Indigenous small fishes. Heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial effluents including emerging contaminants accumulate in their tissues, causing bioaccumulation and biomagnification along the food chain. As a result, these pollutants disrupt the fishes’ reproductive cycles, compromise their immune systems, alter their feeding patterns, and impede their growth rates. Moreover, pollution-induced habitat degradation further exacerbates the challenges faced by Indigenous small fishes. Understanding and addressing the effects of pollution on these species are critical for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems and improving the availability of these fishes for a long term.