Fish production in Oued Sebaou, a seasonal river in North Algeria

Abstract

Fish were sampled by electrofishing at three contiguous sites 26 km from the source of Oued Sebaou, a seasonal river in North Algeria. River discharge ranges from 300 m3s−1 in the peak of the rainy season to 0.1 m3s−1 at the end of the dry season. Extensive gravel extraction from the river bed takes place during the dry season.Two species were recorded at each site: Barbus callensis, which is heavily fished locally, and Anguilla anguilla. The three sample maximum likelihood Zippin method was used to estimate mean density and standing crops, which were: barbel, 452 fish ha−1, 5.33 kg ha−1; eels, 149 fish ha−1, 3.04 kg ha−1. Estimated average biomass and production were: barbel, 2.31 kg ha−1, 4.27 kg ha−1 year−1; eels, 1.51 kg ha−1, 2.60 kg ha−1 year−1.