Aquaculture Africa 2021

March 25 - 28, 2022

Alexandria, Egypt

THE ECOLOGY AND BIOLOGY OF Oreochromis mossambicus TO INFORM INLAND FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT IN LAKE FLAG BOSHIELO, SOUTH AFRICA

 

Hlulani A Hlungwani*, S ean M. Marr, O laf L.F. Weyl  and J oseph R. Sara

 

 Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

Foretrust Building, Cape Town, Western Cape

archie.hlungs@gmail.com



 In South Africa, many water reservoirs support livelihoods for many rural communities through inland fisheries. However, the  sector is not properly developed and managed. With the country under enormous pressure to implement strategies that will aid in the alleviation of poverty and creation of jobs . T he country have recen tly identified inland fisheries as a priority area for social and economic empowerment.

However, to achieve a sustainable inland fisheries sector, a scientific informed strategy for sustainable management of fish stocks in these reservoirs is an urgent requirement. T he strategy should use information derived from biological and environmental research to provide sustainable management advice. Hence research aimed at the ecology and biology of potential fisheries species is necessary

Monthly fish surveys were conducted  from February 2016 to April 2017 using composite gill nets were conducted in  Lake Flag Boshielo. The overall mean CPUE calculated was 1.7±0.04 kg/100 m net/hr (Figure 1) . Len gth-at-50% sexual maturity was 16.6 cm TL (Figure 2 ). T he asymptotic length  was calculated to  be 40.4 cm TL and the age-at-zero-length at 0.249 yr  (Table 1).

T o ensure the sustainability of small formal fisheries in Lake Flag Boshielo targeting O. mossambicus, the management of the fishery will have to ensure sustainable utilisa tion of fish stocks over time.