Abstract
South Africa is under increasing pressure to develop small-scale fisheries in inland waters. To inform appropriate development of this sector in the Free State Province, the catch rate of double-ended fyke nets was evaluated using survey data from 20 impoundments sampled during the 2013/2014 summer season. Fyke nets were set over night and the total sample effort was 114 fyke net nights. Overall catch per unit effort (CPUE) was 16.8 ± 28.3 kg·net-1·night-1 and catch composition was dependent on impoundment, but generally comprised of a mixture of common carp Cyprinus carpio, African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus, smallmouth yellowfish Labeobarbus aeneus, Orange River mudfish Labeo capensis and moggel Labeo umbratus. The influence of temperature and the potential benefits of baiting the nets were subsequently evaluated through monthly sampling in the hyper-eutrophic Krugersdrift Dam and at the oligotrophic Gariep Dam. Baiting did not significantly influence CPUE, which was significantly higher at Krugersdrift Dam (19.97 ± 23.22 kg·net-1·night-1) than at Gariep Dam (5.02 ± 6.05 kg·net-1·night-1). Increasing temperature had a positive effect on CPUE at Krugersdrift Dam but not at Gariep Dam. Species composition also differed between impoundments and, as a result, we conclude that seasonal catch rates and species compositions will need to be evaluated prior to implementation of fyke net fisheries in specific localities.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
