Chiwondo and Mlare Lagoon Fish Length-weight data for Oreochromis karongae and Oreochromis shiranus

Description

The data set comprised the species catch data and catch. It also comprise individual fish species data for Oreochromis karongae and Oreochromis shiranus. The data was collected to understand the fish size distribution through the use of models and evaluate the condition of the fish during the time of capture. The size distribution and condition has the implication on the stock health that relate to fisheries management being implemented in the two lagoon ecosystem. The data was gathered by employing fisher independent survey where a 25 m, 6m depth, 10mm mesh size beach seine was used to catch the fish. The data may be interpreted for the two species in the two lagoons relating to other small water bodies along Lake Malawi as these species are widely distributed in these areas to effect management measure of these important species under threat.

Steps to reproduce

A sample-based fishery-independent survey, in which fishers were hired to operate a standardized 10mm mesh-size beach seine net to catch fish at specific sampling points, was conducted for two months (September 2022 and April 2023). The survey used pre-structured data forms to capture total fish catch (grams), fish species count, fishing effort (number of pulls), length and weight frequency data, and geographical information. Fish were identified using published identification keys following Konings (2016), Turner (1996), and Skelton (2024). Adam Equipment's portable compact precision balance was used to measure fish weight in the field. A fish measuring board was used to collect length data.

Institutions

• Mzuzu University

  Northern Region, Mzuzu

Categories

Funders

• NORHED II Project

  Grant ID: 63826

Licence