Author(s): Tadlo Awoke, Minwyelet Mingist, Abebe Getahun

Abstract: In the present study we evaluate the relative abundance and species composition of fishes in Blue Nile River below the fall during the wet season (September-October, 2010) and dry season (March-April, 2011). Fish samples were collected by using monofilaments gillnets (5-55 mm) and multifilament gillnets, having mesh sizes of six, eight, ten, twelve and fourteen centimeter stretched bar mesh, having a length of twenty five meter and depth of one and half meter, on three sampling sites. Sefiana site had the higher diversity (average H'= 3.02). Labeobarbus intermedius was the most dominant (39.67% by number) followed by Labeo forskalii (27.77%) and M. kannume (11.67%). The other species, L. nedgia, B. docmak, L. crassibarbis, C. gariepinus and O. niloticus were found in 9.57%, 5.13%, 3.50%, 1.98% and 0.70%, respectively. All the fish species except L. crassibarbis, B. docmak and C. gariepinus were showed significant differences in abundance between seasons with overall catch composition of 39.67%, 27.77%, 9.57%, and 11.67% for L. intermedius, L. forskalii, L. nedgia and M. kannume, respectively. L. intermedius, L. forskalii, L. nedgia and M. kannume were the most important species in both seasons and in most of the sampling sites. The studied habitats are in danger being eroded and therefore catchment rehabilitation should be considered and the massive seasonal fishing by the local communities should be reduced.

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