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Assessment of Exploited Population Dynamics of African Butter Catfish (Schilbe mystus) in Stratum VII of Lake Volta, Ghana

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Last updated: 01 Jan 2025

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Abstract

The current study aimed to assess the population status of Schilbe mystus in stratum VII of Volta Lake, Ghana, based on length-frequency data collected throughout 2021. Individual fish samples, ranging from 5.5 to 22.0cm with a mean length of 11.5± 0.17cm, were analyzed using FiSAT II. The study revealed a mean condition factor of 0.36, indicating the fish's overall health. The growth pattern, estimated at 3.1 suggested positive algometric growth. The growth rate (K) was determined as 0.25 per year. Length at infinity (L∞), length at first capture (Lc50), and length at first maturity (Lm50) were calculated as 24.7, 10.27, and 16.47cm, respectively. The growth performance index was recorded at 2.58. The total mortality rate (Z) was calculated as 2.09 per year, with the natural mortality rate (M) at 0.78 per year and the fishing mortality rate (F) at 1.31 per year. The exploitation rate was 0.63, indicating overexploitation of S. mystus in Stratum VII. To sustain the stock size of the S. mystus fishery in Lake Volta, we recommend reducing fishing efforts, regular status assessments, and enforcement of fisheries regulations.

DOI

10.21608/ejabf.2023.328024

Keywords

exploitation rate, FiSAT II, Fisheries management, growth rate, mortality rate

Authors

First Name

Berchie

Last Name

Asiedu et al.

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Volume

27

Article Issue

6

Related Issue

44335

Issue Date

2023-11-01

Receive Date

2023-11-29

Publish Date

2023-11-01

Page Start

153

Page End

168

Print ISSN

1110-6131

Online ISSN

2536-9814

Link

https://ejabf.journals.ekb.eg/article_328024.html

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https://ejabf.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=328024

Order

8

Type

Original Article

Type Code

103

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries

Publication Link

https://ejabf.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Assessment of Exploited Population Dynamics of African Butter Catfish (Schilbe mystus) in Stratum VII of Lake Volta, Ghana

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Article

Created At

23 Dec 2024