Possible fish stock size assessment and available production survey as developed on Lake Kariba

This paper is an outline of methods practically useful for the evaluation of ichthyomass, fish abundance, available production and yield in lakes and rivers. Terms and concepts are reviewed, and difficulties stemming from the use of "predetermined" mathematical models are discussed. Sampling with toxicants in blocked-off areas was found to be the most practical method and is described in detail. For the total estimation of ichthyomass the spatial ranges of fish distribution must be determined; the results of echo-sounding surveys for horizontal, vertical, topographical, seasonal and diel fish distribution are given. Some of the most important methods for computing available production are listed and applied to Lake Kariba as an example. In particular, a method based on the balance between the main predator and prey species is reviewed. The ecological production survey concept is finally stressed as applied to multispecies fish stocks.

Preliminary results from a bottom trawl survey of Lake Rudolf with additional notes on trials with a midwater frame trawl

This paper includes a short report on preliminary midwater hauls with a frame trawl. The object is (a) to study the relationship between the vertical distribution of pelagic fish and the scattering layer, and (b) to find out if certain species, which at times occur abundantly in the bottom-trawl on the shallow-water frontiers of the scattering layer, might extend into offshore waters to constitute an important pelagic resource.

A report of the fisheries catch assessment survey in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria for the December 2006 survey

This catch assessment report provides the estimates of the quantities of fish landed in the riparian districts sharing the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria; the monetary value of the fish catches; the contribution of different fish species to the total catches; and the trends of fish catch rates, total fish monthly catches for the sampled month since the beginning of the current catch assessment activities, i.e. July 2005 to December 2006.