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Success of the Introduction of the Fresh Water Clupeid Limnothrissa miodon (Boulenger) in Lake Kivu
Author(s) -
Spliethoff P. C.,
Longh H. H.,
Frank V. G.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2109.1983.tb00050.x
Subject(s) - biology , plankton , fishery , reproduction , ecology
The freshwater clupeid Limnothrissa miodon was transplanted with success from Lake Tanganyika to Lake Kivu during 1958–1960. An artisanal fishery to exploit the clupeid stock started in the beginning of 1980. Based on the results of this artisanal fishery a minimum sustained yield of 4,000 tons/year was estimated for the Rwandese territorial waters of Lake Kivu. Biological research revealed information about growth rate, condition factor K, fat content, migration, distribution and reproduction of Limnothrissa . An obvious relation was found between fat content and sexual activity with the seasonal fluctuations of plankton production. The main spawning peak coincided with a plankton bloom caused by the turnover of the lake at the end of the dry season in September. At that time a small percentage of the clupeids had fat in their body cavity. It is stated that horizontal migration is mainly induced by reproduction, while the vertical migration is determined by feeding habits. Socio‐economic benefits of the artisanal fishery using trimarans and lift nets were compared with those of the semi‐industrial purse seining.