About the RUFORUM 2010 Biennal Conference
"The 2010 RUFORUM Biennial Conference was the second in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholders in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Aqua Culture and Fisheries"
Influence of water quality parameters on Opsaridium microlepis catches in the Linthipe River in central Malawi
Abstract:
The dwindling catches of the fish Opsaridium microlepis (locally
called mpasa) from the Linthipe river in Malawi is of great
concern. This is especially so given that the species has
disappeared from some other river systems in Malawi. One of
the reasons for this could be the deteriorating water quality of
the river as a result of farming activities in the river catchment.
This study aimed at assessing the effect of water quality on O.
microlepis catches along the Linthipe river. Fish monthly catches
were very variable and ranged between 0.006-0.611ghr-1, with
the highest catches made in February. Month of the year
influenced water quality, which in turn influenced fish catches.
There were more catches as total suspended solid, increased.
This implies that as the catchment is degraded through farming
activities, the river receives more eroded soil, increased
suspended solids which increase water turbidity and reduce
the visibility of fish for the fishing gear. From this study, it is
recommended that fishing areas and periods on the Linthipe
river be restricted. And that faming activities in the river
catchment be done in such a way to minimise soil erosion.
La diminution de prise des poissons Opsaridium microlepis
(appelés localement mpasa) dans la rivière Linthipe au Malawi
sont très préoccupantes. Cela est particulièrement vrai du fait
que l’espèce a disparu de certains systèmes fluviaux au Malawi.
L’une des raisons pourrait être la détérioration de la qualité des
eaux de la rivière à la suite des activités agricoles dans le bassin
versant de la rivière. Cette étude visait à évaluer l’effet de la
qualité de l’eau sur les captures des O. microlepis le long de la
rivière Linthipe. Les captures des poissons par mois ont été
très variables et se sont situées entre 0.006 et 0.611ghr-1, avec
les captures les plus élevées effectuées en février. Le mois de
l’année a influencé la qualité de l’eau, ce qui a aussi influencé
les prises de poissons. Il y avait plus de captures quand les solides totaux suspendus augmentaient. Cela implique que,
comme le bassin versant est dégradé par les activités agricoles,
la rivière reçoit plus de sol érodé, plus de matières en suspension
qui augmentent la turbidité de l’eau et réduisent la visibilité des
poissons pour les engins de pêche. De cette étude, il est
recommandé que les zones et les périodes de pêche sur la rivière
Linthipe soient limitées et que les activités agricoles dans le
bassin versant de la rivière soient faites de manière à réduire
l’érosion des sols.
Language:
English
Date of publication:
2010
Country:
Region Focus:
Southern Africa
University/affiliation:
Collection:
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Agris Subject Categories:
Agrovoc terms:
Additional keywords:
Licence conditions:
Open Access
Access restriction:
Form:
Printed resource
Publisher:
ISSN:
E_ISSN:
Edition:
Extent:
1267-1272
Notes:
