An assessment of the health status and edibility of fish from three impoundments in the North West Province, South Africa

M.Sc. (Aquatic Health)The North West Province is mineral rich and known for its extensive mining and agricultural activities. These activities drain organic and inorganic pollutants in our waterways, possibly resulting in reduced water quality in dams. Organic and inorganic pollutants such as nutrients, organochlorine pesticides and metals may be present in unacceptable levels possibly affecting fish as well as human health. The North West dams are known for their high nutrient loads and are mostly classified as hypertrophic. In order to better understand the possible effects of the combined pollutant loads on fish health and edibility of fish, (1) a fish health assessment and (2) a human health risk assessment should be conducted. The fish health assessment and the human health risk assessment form an important role in the establishment of water quality standards or/and guidelines for acceptable levels of safe consumption of fish respectively. The aim of this study was to determine (1) if Oreochromis mossambicus from the Klipvoor -, Roodekopjes - and Vaalkop Dams show adverse effects and (2) if consumed, pose a human health risk. The results were compared to the reference site, the Marico-Bosveld Dam