An analysis of the 1970 commercial fish catch in three areas of the Kafue Floodplain

The commercial landings of fish in three areas of the Kafue Floodplain were examined in regard to thhing technique used, catch per unit effort, and species composition and length size. Gillnets were used throughout the year although predominantly in the wet season, and drawnets (similar to beach seines) were used at periods of low water level. Fishermen used a varying number of gillnets in each area, and the catehes also varied according to month. Principal species caught on the floodplain were clarias gariepinus and Tilapia andersoni. There are indications that, whereas the catch per gillnet in the year's 1965-1970 may be lower than in the 1950s. The drawnet calch per unit of effort of these later years is higher than in the 1950s.