International Science Community Association Research Journal of Animal, Veterinary and Fishery Sciences 14 1 2026 05 24 Acadja and Whédo fisheries in southern Benin (West Africa): Functioning and impacts on waterways and local communities (Bibliographic approach) 24 30 EN Hande Gayatri 1 Department of Zoology, Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati- 444 603, MS India Tekode Rohit 2 Department of Zoology, Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati- 444 603, MS India Priyamvada Kumari 1 Department of Zoology, V.K.S.U., Arrah, Bihar, India Sharma Sunita Kumari 2 L.N. College Bhagwanpur, Vaishali, Bihar, India Kumar Abhay 1 Department of Zoology, V.K.S.U., Arrah, Bihar, India Sharma Sunita Kumari 2 L.N. College Bhagwanpur, Vaishali, Bihar, India Kumar Kunal 1 Department of Zoology, V.K.S.U., Arrah, Bihar, India Sharma Sunita Kumari 2 L.N. College Bhagwanpur, Vaishali, Bihar, India Singh Ravi Krishna 1 Department of Zoology, V.K.S.U., Arrah, Bihar, India Sharma Sunita Kumari 2 L.N. College Bhagwanpur, Vaishali, Bihar, India Dash Ipsita 1 State Forensic Science Laboratory, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India Prudencio AGBOHESSI 1 Research Laboratory in Aquaculture and Aquatic Ecotoxicology (LaRAEAq), Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Benin > Review Paper 2026 1 13 2026 05 24 Acadjas (fish parks) and whédos (fish holes) are traditional fishing devices widely used in southern Benin, particularly in coastal lagoons and lakes (Nokoué, Porto-Novo, Ahémé). Using a bibliographic approach, we reviewed the history, characteristics, fish species caught, productivity, and socio-economic and environmental impacts of each system. These techniques play an important role in local fish production by increasing fish concentration and facilitating their capture. The productivity of traditional acadjas varies from 150 to 200 kg/ha/year and can range from 4 to 20 tons/ha/year with a highly diversified fish fauna (nearly 55 species) dominated by Cichlids (up to 95%), notably Sarotherodon melanotheron. The productivity of whédos is on average 1.31 tons/ha/year, comprising around 11 species with a predominance of catfish (up to 83.9%), notably Clarias gariepinus and Clarias ebriensis. These fishing techniques contribute significantly to food security, income generation, and the preservation of indigenous knowledge in riverside communities. However, the unregulated expansion of acadjas and whédos has significant environmental impacts, such as reduced navigation areas, degradation of aquatic habitats, eutrophication, and overexploitation of fishery resources. Long-term declines in productivity are increasingly being observed. Thus, although these systems are effective and culturally important, their sustainability depends on integrated management, combining regulation, ecosystem restoration, and the involvement of local communities. Copyright@ International Science Community Association