Population Dynamics and Stock Assessment of Gudusia chapra (Hamilton-Buchanan) in the Rajdhala Reservoir, Netrakona, Bangladesh

Abstract

Population dynamics and stock assessment of chapila (Gudusia chapra, Hamilton-Buchanan) in the Rajdhala reservoir, Netrakona, Bangladesh was studied from January 2003 to December 2004 using length-frequency based analysis of FiSAT software to evaluate the growth parameters, mortality rates, exploitation rates, recruitment pattern, maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and the corresponding fishing mortality at this level. The annual rates of natural mortality, fishing mortality and total mortality were 1.34, 1.37 and 2.71 yr-1 in 2003 and 1.37, 1.58 and 2.95 yr-1 in 2004 respectively. The study revealed that the fishes were recruited in the fishery twice a year and the fishes were harvested at a higher level than the optimum fishing pressure. Twenty four percent of the present exploitation pressure on chapila is suggested to be reduced to get the MSY of this fish from the reservoir.