An assessment of fish assemblages between protected and non-protected areas on the Zambezi /Chobe River

Abstract

The fisheries of the Zambezi are currently experiencing an alarming decline due to an increasing fishing pressure. With increasing fishing pressure, fish populations may undergo a series of changes in size, species composition and abundance. As a result, scientists and managers are deemed to seek for alternative measures to protect and conserve fish stocks. One such option is the use of fish protected areas (FPAs). Two recently established FPA’s on the Zambezi/Chobe River are the Kalimbeza and Kasaya Channels. However, accrued benefits of these FPAs have never been assessed. Comparative experiments using gillnets of different mesh sizes (12 mm – 150 mm) were conducted between FPA’s (Kalimbeza channel) and non-FPA’s (Hippo channel) between March and December 2016 to test the hypothesis that, FPA’s would yield high fish abundance (CPUE) than non- FPAs. Experimental fishing trials showed a high CPUE by weight and number (p