oa African Zoology - Cabora Bassa fish populations before and during the first filling phase

Abstract

Pre-impoundment surveys were made in 1973-4. The regulatory effect of continual water discharge from Kariba resulted in extensive dry-season aquatic, rooted, vegetal growth and a comparatively high small-fish population. Of a maximum of 38 species found one, Sarotherodon andersoni, was a new Middle Zambezi record. Lotic and shallow-water species were abundant; gill-nets showed moderately high catches per unit effort. In early November 1974 two-month-old Hydrocynus vittatus juveniles were present indicating an abnormal spawning time. Post-impoundment data from closure on 5 December 1974, to mid-August 1975 are given.