Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts of Mineral Exploitation on Fisheries in Imo State, Nigeria

This study examines the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of mineral exploitation on fisheries in Imo State, Nigeria. The region, rich in natural resources, experiences extensive mining activities that disrupt ecological systems and local livelihoods. Data were collected from 200 respondents in ten riverine communities using structured questionnaires and analyzed through descriptive statistics, weighted scoring, sentiment scoring, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The findings indicate that mining operations severely impact fisheries ecosystems, with habitat destruction (97.0%) and environmental pollution (93.0%) emerging as the most critical effects. Mining activities disrupt food chains, deplete groundwater levels, and cause erosion and siltation, leading to biodiversity loss and ecosystem instability. Socioeconomic challenges include the loss of farming and fishing livelihoods (99.0%), water scarcity (92.5%), health risks (86.5%), and forced migration (90.5%). Increased crime rates (78.0%) and resource strain further exacerbate the vulnerabilities of host communities. PCA analysis revealed that habitat destruction and pollution dominate the impacts, while localized effects like erosion remain significant. Despite these challenges, 94.5% of respondents acknowledged the existence of survival strategies, such as economic diversification and environmental restoration. This study highlights the urgent need for sustainable mining practices and inclusive policies to mitigate environmental damage and enhance community resilience. It offers actionable recommendations for balancing economic development with ecological preservation, contributing to global efforts to protect biodiversity and support livelihoods in resource-dependent regions.