Morphometric and developmental characteristics of fish landed by artisanal bait fishers at the Mida Creek, Kenya

Although artisanal commercial and net fishers landings 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 indicate 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, alternative 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.   Key words: Bait, condition factor, gear, Gonadosomatic index, fishing index, immature.