Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Catch data on the three commercially important fish groups (Clarias gariepinus, Labeobarbu
spp. and Oreochromis niloticus) were studied in South Western part of Lake Tana at Kunzila
landing site from October to April 2013. Fish were collected from my observation the fishing
gear they used is monofilament gillnet of the fishermen organized into one fishermen
Cooperative or association having36 members. They have 26 reed boats of which 7 were used to
catch fishes at daily basis for five consecutive days every month. The total catch was 6188 of
which 2147 (35 %), 2554 (41%), 1460 (24%) were from Labeobarbus, O niloticus, Cgariepinus
respectively. The mean monthly abundance of Labeobarbus catch showed significant variation
(p < 0.05). The peak abundance was during January. In this species the largest size fish catch
was obtained during November and then the abundance onwards showed a continuous decline.
Similarly abundance of O. niloticus (Tilapia) catch also showed significant temporal variation (p
< 0.05). The peak abundance for Tilapia was observed during February followed by March. Of
all the total African catfish (C. gariepinus) catch the highest abundance was recorded during
March followed by April. Length-weight relationship of Labeobarbus, was curvilinear
(y=2.007x+0.250) and was significant (
=0.816, p<0.05) with the regression equation fitted to
the data collected. The length -weight relationship of NileTilapia was semicurvilinear(y=0.082X+14.70X-125.6)
and
significant
(
with the regression
equation fitted to the data of Nile Tilapia. The Length- weight relationship of African catfish was
linear (y=0.029X+0.576) and significant (
=0.703, P<0.05) with the regression equation fitted
to the data of African catfish. The overall production of the three species obtained was 14,434.1
kg (1.44 tonnes). A temporal distribution was studied through analysis of variance (one
wayANOVA) of l catch data.
Keywords: Abundance, Clariasgariepinus, Labeobarbus Oreochromis O.niloticus, Stock
assessment, Kunzila