Author(s): EK Simasiku, OLF Weyl, G Kopij and SK Mafwila

Abstract: Lake Liambezi in the Zambezi Region of Namibia, formerly known as the Caprivi Region, is shallow (< 6 meters deep) and characterised by cyclic episodes of filling and drying. When full the lake supports a highly productive fishery and when the lake is completely dry it is used for agriculture and grazing. In 2000 the lake filled, and between May 2011 and April 2012 catch landings were surveyed to obtain information for conservation and management recommendations for the fishery. An informal fishery has been established on the lake with more than 300 canoes and 120 fishermen using monofilament and multifilament gillnets. The annual average water temperature during the sampling period was 24.0 ⁰C. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was 15 kg/canoe/day and was significantly (P<0.05) associated with monthly temperature and moon phase parameters indicating that in addition to fishing, the fishery of Lake Liambezi may be altered by climate and environmental factors. Annual catch from the lake was estimated at approximately 3193 tons with an estimated productivity of 106 kg/ha, suggesting that Lake Liambezi makes a significant contribution to the fish supply in the Zambezi Region and beyond. Recommendations were made to manage the Lake Liambezi fishery by imposing restrictions on effort (number of fishing boats), gear type, mesh sizes and access. Proper fisheries management and monitoring should incorporate climatic and environmental factors such as temperature and moon phase to meet the challenges of global climatic changes as well as other environmental issues.

Pages: 490-495  |  1415 Views  110 Downloads

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