A comparison of bottom trawl catch rates in the Kenya waters of Lake Victoria

A comparison of mean trawl catch rates (kg/h) from 128 collections in 1969 and 1970 and 63 collections in the fourth quarter of 1976 showed the following changes.1 A reduction in mean total catch rates at all seven depth intervals from 1970–1976. 2 Reductions of 6.8, 6.1, 3.9, 6.2, 1.5, 2.9 and 5.9 times from shallow to deepest 10m depths respectively. 3 No Tilapiu esculenfu were collected in 1976.The trend that emerges shows a marked reduction in mean total trawl catch rates in the Kenya waters of Lake Victoria which should sound a note of caution for proponents of a mechanized fishing industry.