Morphometric and developmental characteristics of fish landed by artisanal bait fishers at the Mida Creek, Kenya
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Date
2015-02Author
Kihia, Charles M
Hendrick, Yvone
Okondo, Julius
Nthiga, Aniel
Njuguna, Vincen
Language
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Although artisanal commercial and net fishers landi
ngs has received attention, the morphometrics of
bait fisher landings is poorly documented. This is in spite of the importance of such data to infer fished
stock growth and developmental status in order to reduce excessive removal of immature and highly
fecund fish. This study compares fish species,
size and weight, and derived fish condition,
Gonadosomatic and Fishing Indices, between hook and line gear baited with polychaetes and hermit
crabs, and traps baited with gastropods. Results i
ndicate fishers land over 20 fish types with similar
condition and GSI below unity and fishing index of below 20%. Variation in growth indicators was
largely attributed to species specific differences,
with high value apex predators, such as carangidae,
having lower morphometrics than smaller bodied permanent creek and mangrove residents.
Participatory effort controls through closure, alte
rnative livelihoods, and voluntary release of immature,
coupled with limiting the use of small mesh traps and hooks, may reduce harvesting of immature and
lead to improvement of future landings and sustainability of the fishery
URI
http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1424276793_Kihia%20%20et%20al.pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11295/81091
Citation
Maina, K. C., Yvone, H., Agnes, H., Julius, O., Aniel, N., & Vincent, N. (2015). Morphometric and developmental characteristics of fish landed by artisanal bait fishers at the Mida Creek, Kenya. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 7(2), 15-24.Publisher
University of Nairobi