The Distribution, Biological Characteristics and Vulnerability of the Giant Sea Catfish, Arius thalassinus (Rüppell, 1837), to Fishing at Mafia Island, Tanzania

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorKamukuru, Albogast T.
dc.contributor.authorTamatamah, Rashid A.
dc.date.accessioned2016-07-08T12:35:01Z
dc.date.available2016-07-08T12:35:01Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractThe distribution and some biological characteristics of commercially important giant sea catfish, Arius thalassinus (Rüppell, 1837) were studied at Mafia Island. Artisanal fishing catches were sampled, caught mainly with longlines, shark nets and ring nets. These yielded a total of 2 723 kg of A. thalassinus, comprising 756 individuals, the largest measuring 1 000 mm TL. Arius thalassinus occurred only on the western coast of Mafia Island and the highest catch rate was 19.3 kg.fisher-1.day-1 in March when murky water was predominant. The reproductive biology of A. thalassinus was investigated to assess its vulnerability to fishing. Arius thalassinus reached a size at first maturity (LM50) of 520 mm TL and exhibited a low mean (±SE) fecundity of 65.6 ± 3.37 eggs per female within the size range of 605-970 mm TL. The hydrated oocytes were large (mean diameter ±SE = 15.2±0.12 mm). Arius thalassinus spawned once in the study year during February and April, during heavy precipitation (124-499 mm). We therefore conclude that its restricted distribution, large size, low fecundity, late maturation and its reported high trophic level indicate that it would be vulnerable to fishing pressure. It is therefore recommended that fishing for A. thalassinus be restricted during its spawning season to ensure its sustainabilityen_US
dc.identifier.citationKamukuru, A.T. and Tamatamah, R.A., 2015. The Distribution, Biological Characteristics and Vulnerability of the Giant Sea Catfish, Arius thalassinus (Rüppell, 1837), to Fishing at Mafia Island, Tanzania. Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Sciences, p.163.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/2965
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subjectArius thalassinusen_US
dc.subjectReproductionen_US
dc.subjectVulnerabilityen_US
dc.subjectArtisanal fisheriesen_US
dc.subjectRufiji Deltaen_US
dc.subjectWestern Indian Oceanen_US
dc.titleThe Distribution, Biological Characteristics and Vulnerability of the Giant Sea Catfish, Arius thalassinus (Rüppell, 1837), to Fishing at Mafia Island, Tanzaniaen_US
dc.typeJournal Article, Peer Revieweden_US
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
The Distribution, Biological Characteristics and Vulnerability of the Giant Sea Catfish, Arius thalassinus (Rüppell, 1837), to Fishing at Mafia Island, Tanzania.pdf
Size:
4.9 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Full text
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology