Coastal Dynamics and Implication for Development of the Fishing Communities Along the Shoreline Region of Toube, Cameroon

Abstract

The world’s coastlines provide essential development benefits to most communities for livelihood sustenance. The proximity of communities to coastlines elects the need to exploit the water resources through fishing and transportation. Given that coastlines are subjected to changes, this study intends to investigate coastal dynamics and implication for development of the fishing communities along the shoreline region of Toube. A descriptive research design was adopted with a sample size of 300 respondents which employed a random sampling technique. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources and was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by the use of arithmetic mean and ArcGIS 10.2. The coastal dynamics between 1984 and 2017 were observed using shoreline GPS Way Point that was matched by Landsat images of 1984, 2000 and 2017. Findings showed that prolonged backwash process caused by sea level rise provoked coastal erosion and submergence of shoreline communities. The results revealed that between 1984 and 2017, the shoreline of Toube has been retreating at a rate of 9.56 m per year. The retreat rate equally varies along Toube coastlines revealing that Cap shoreline has retreated some 452.4 m between 1984 and 2017 while Itiekot-Chekiri and Small Toube retreated by 254.87 m and 239.61 m respectively between 1984 and 2017. These coastal fishing communities are vulnerable to coastal erosion, settlement submergence, destruction of fishing barns, displacement of people and disruption of coastal activities with huge socio-economic losses. The study opts for the stabilization of the shorelines through the use of sand bags, sea walls and the creation of buffer zone with mangrove trees in order to reduce the exposure of the fishing communities to the intensity of the coastal dynamics in Toube.