Excessive Use of Pesticides Is a Risk Factor to Fishes: A Review on its Effects and Control Strategies

Abstract

Pesticides are the chemical compounds, used to kill pests, including insects, rodents, fungi, unwanted plants and possess unique physical and chemical properties. These are classified into various classes on the basis of different characteristics like chemical composition, function and target animals, they kill. These are widely used to control diseases by killing their vectors like mosquitoes and gain high agriculture production. However, these pesticides are also very toxic to many non-targeted animals, especially fish. Uncontrolled and irregular consumption of these chemicals can be responsible for the death of fishes even their sub-lethal concentration can affect their various organ and its functions. Aquatic resources and aquatic animals are precious assets, as they give high productivity and protein yield. Fish contains high level of vitamins and minerals which are essential for normal growth. Aquatic animal and sea food increase national economy by providing employment chances. Use of pesticides is increasing in agriculture, which is disastrous to public health and aquatic ecosystem as well. Pesticides are continuously entering aquatic system, where they accumulate in fishes which are in return eaten by man and in this way they get diseased by pesticides. Therefore there is a need to adopt best management practices to protect water qualities and ultimately fishes.