A comparison of bottom trawl catch rates in the Kenya waters of Lake Victoria

Abstract

A comparison of mean trawl catch rates (kg/h) from 128 collections in 1969 and 1970 and 63 collections in the fourth quarter of 1976 showed the following changes. A reduction in mean total catch rates at all seven depth intervals from 1970–1976. Reductions of 6.8, 6.1, 3.9, 6.2, 1.5, 2.9 and 5.9 times from shallow to deepest 10m depths respectively. No Tilapiu esculenfu were collected in 1976. The trend that emerges shows a marked reduction in mean total trawl catch rates in the Kenya waters of Lake Victoria which should sound a note of caution for proponents of a mechanized fishing industry.