Growth parameters of the clupeids Limnothrissa miodon and Stolothrissa tanganicae in northern Lake Tanganyika (Bujumbura sub-basin)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26496/bjz.2024.184Keywords:
growth, size frequency analysis, daily increments of otoliths, Stolothrissa tanganicae, Limnothrissa miodon, Lake Tanganyika, Bujumbura sub-basinAbstract
The analysis of growth parameters in fish stocks, such as the asymptotic length (L∞) and the curvature parameter (K), is crucial for the estimation of production rates and total mortality rates in fisheries management. Here, we estimated the growth parameters of the clupeids Limnothrissa miodon and Stolothrissa tanganicae in the northern part of Lake Tanganyika (Bujumbura sub-basin). Both species are important targets of pelagic fisheries, but the available estimates are based on scarce size frequency data, and rarely on size as a function of age data. We provide new estimates of L∞ and K based on size as a function of age data, with age being inferred from otolith weights. Furthermore, we reanalyze several existing length frequency datasets using advanced statistical procedures to test if growth parameters estimated by length frequency analysis are consistent with those obtained from size as a function of age. We found that length frequency analysis consistently underestimates L∞ and overestimates K as compared to length-at-age data. We recommend that length-at-age data are collected at a much broader spatial and temporal scale than currently available to advance our understanding of the growth dynamics of these two sardine species. This will improve the assessment of stock productivity of Lake Tanganyika’s pelagic fisheries and the conservation of these economically important fish species.
References
Ahonen H. (2001). Age and Growth of the Pelagic Clupeids in Lake Tanganyika Estimated by Otolith Microstructure Analysis. M.Sc. thesis, University of Turku, Finland.
Beamish R.J. & McFarlane G.A. (1983). The forgotten requirement for age validation in fisheries biology. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 112: 735–743. https://doi.org/b6tqr2
Beverton R.J.H. & Holt S.J. (eds) (1957). On the dynamics of exploited fish populations. Fish & Fisheries Series, Vol. 11. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2106-4
Chapman D.W. & van Well P. (1978). Growth and mortality of Stolothrissa tanganicae. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 107: 26–35.
Chifamba C.P. (2019). The Biology and Impacts of Oreochromis niloticus and Limnothrissa miodon Introduced in Lake Kariba. Thesis fully internal (DIV), University of Groningen. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.
Cohen A.S., Bills R., Cocquyt C.Z. & Caljon A.G. (1993). Impact of sediment pollution on biodiversity in Lake Tanganyika. Conservation Biology 7: 667–677. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.1993.07030667.x
Coulter G.W. (ed.). (1991). Lake Tanganyika and its life. British Museum (Natural history) and Oxford University Press. London Oxford and New York. 354 pp.
De Keyzer E.L.R., De Corte Z., Van Steenberge M., Raeymaekers J.A.M., Calboli F.C.F., Kmentová N., Mulimbwa N., Virgilio M., Vangestel C., Mulungula P.M., Volckaert F.A.M. & Vanhove M.P.M. (2019). First genomic study on Lake Tanganyika sprat Stolothrissa tanganicae: a lack of population structure calls for integrated management of this important fisheries target species. BMC Evolutionary Biology 19: 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-018-1325-8
De Keyzer E.L.R., Masilya Mulungula P., Alunga Lufungula G., Amisi Manala C., Andema Muniali A., Bashengezi Cibuhira P., Bashonga Bishobibiri A., Bashonga Rafiki A., Hyangya Lwikitcha B., Hugé J., Huyghe C.E.T., Itulamya Kitungano C., Janssens de Bisthoven L., Kakogozo Bombi J., Kamakune Sabiti S., Kiriza Katagata I., Kwibe Assani D., Lubunga Dunia P., Lumami KapepulaV., Lwacha F., Mazambi Lutete J., Shema Muhemura F., Milec L.J.M., Mulimbwa N’Sibula T., Mushagaulusa Mulega A., Muterezi Bukinga F., Muzumani Risasi D., Mwenyemali Banamwezi D., Kahindo N’djungu J., Nabintu Bugabanda N., Ntakobajira Karani J.-P., Raeymaekers J.A.M., Riziki Walumona J., Safari Rukahusa R., Vanhove M.P.M., Volckaert F.A.M., Wembo Ndeo O. & Van Steenberge M. (2020). Local perceptions on the state of fisheries and fisheries management at Uvira, Lake Tanganyika, DR Congo. Journal of Great Lakes Research 46: 1740–1753. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2020.09.003
Ehrenfels B., Junker J., Namutebi D., Callbeck C.M., Dinkel C., Kalangali A., Kimirei I.A., Mbonde A.S., Mosille J.B., Emmanuel A. Sweke E.A., Schubert C.J., Seehausen O., Wagner C.E. & Wehrli, B. (2023). Isotopic signatures induced by upwelling reveal regional fish stocks in Lake Tanganyika. PLoS ONE 18 (11): e0281828. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281828
Froese R. & Pauly D. (2017). FishBase. Available from http://www.fishbase.org [accessed 27 February 2024].
Gayanilo F.C. & Pauly D. 1997. FAO – ICLARM. Stock Assessment Tools (FISAT). FAO Computerised information Series (Fisheries) 8, 262 pp.
Junker J., Rick J.A., Mcintyre P.B., Kimirei I., Sweke E.A., Mosille J.B., Wehrli B., Dinkel C., Mwaiko S., Seehausen O. & Wagner C.E. (2020). Structural genomic variation leads to genetic differentiation in Lake Tanganyika’ s sardines. Molecular Ecology 29: 3277–3298. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15559
Kaningini M. (1995). Étude de la croissance, de la reproduction et de l’exploitation de Limnothrissa miodon au lac Kivu. PhD Thesis, University of Namur (Belgium).
Kimirei I.A. & Mgaya Y.D. (2007). Influence of environmental factors on seasonal changes in clupeid catches in the Kigoma area of Lake Tanganyika. African Journal of Aquatic Science 32: 291–298.
Kimura S. (1991a). Growth of Stolothrissa tanganicae estimated from daily otolith rings in southern Lake Tanganyika. In: Kawanabe H. & Nagoshi M. (eds) Ecological and Limnological Study on Lake Tanganyika and its Adjacent Regions 7: 60–61.
Kimura S. (1991b). Growth of Limnothrissa miodon estimated from daily otolith rings in southern Lake Tanganyika. In: Kawanabe H. & Nagoshi M. (eds) Ecological and Limnological Study on Lake Tanganyika and its Adjacent Regions 7: 62–64.
Kimura S. (1995). Growth of the clupeid fishes, Stolothrissa tanganicae and Limnothrissa miodon, in the Zambian waters of Lake Tanganyika. Journal of Fish Biology 47: 569–575. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1995.tb01923.x
Kolding J., van Zwieten P., Marttin F., Funge-Smith S. & Poulain F. (2019). Freshwater Small Pelagic Fish and Fisheries in Major African Lakes and Reservoirs in Relation to Food Security and Nutrition. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper No 642. Rome, FAO. 124 pp.
Kmentová N., Koblmüller S., Van Steenberge M., Raeymaekers J.A.M., Artois T., De Keyzer E.L.R., Milec L., Muterezi Bukinga F., Mulimbwa N., Mulungula P.M., Ntakimazi G., Volckaert F.A.M., Gelnar M. & Vanhove M.P.M. (2020). Weak population structure and recent demographic expansion of the monogenean parasite Kapentagyrus spp. infecting clupeid fishes of Lake Tanganyika, East Africa. International Journal for Parasitology 50: 471–486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.02.002
Langenberg V.T. (2008). On the Limnology of Lake Tanganyika. PhD. Thesis Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
LTA Secretariat (2012). Report on Regional Lake-Wide Fisheries Frame Survey on Lake Tanganyika 2011. LTA/Tech Doc/2012/01. Bujumbura, Burundi.
Lou D.C., Mapstone B.D., Russ G.R., Davies C.R. & Begg G.A. (2005). Using otolith weight-age relationships to predict age-based metrics of coral reef fish populations at different spatial scales. Fisheries Research 71: 279–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2004.09.003
Mannini P. (1998). Ecology of the Pelagic Fish Resources of Lake Tanganyika. Phd. Thesis, University of Hull.
Mannini P., Aro E., Katonda I., Kassaka B., Mambona C., Milindi G., Paffen P. & Verburg P. (1996). Pelagic Fish Stocks of Lake Tanganyika: Biology and Exploitation. FAO/FINNIDA Research for the Management of the Fisheries of Lake Tanganyika. GCP/ RAF/271/FIN – TD/53 (En): 60p.
Mildenberger T.K., Taylor M.H. & Wolff M. (2017). TropFishR: an R package for fisheries analysis with length-frequency data. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 8: 1520–1527. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12791
Milec L.J.M., Vanhove M.P.M., Muterezi Bukinga F., De Keyzer E.L.R., Lumami Kapepula V., Masilya Mulungula P., Mulimbwa N’sibula T., Wagner C.E. & Raeymaekers J.A.M. (2022). Complete mitochondrial genomes and updated divergence time of the two freshwater clupeids endemic to Lake Tanganyika (Africa) suggest intralacustrine speciation. BMC Ecology & Evolution 22: 127. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-022-02085-8
Meisfjord J., Midtøy F. & Folkvord A. (2006). Validation of daily increment deposition in otoliths of juvenile Limnothrissa miodon (Clupeidae). Journal of Fish Biology: 69: 1845–1848. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2006.01214.x
Moreau J., Munyandorera J. & Nyakageni B. (1991). Evaluation des paramètres demographiques chez Stolothrissa tanganicae et Limnothrissa miodon du lac Tanganyika. Verhandlungen der Internationalen Vereinigung für theoretische und angewandte Limnologie 244: 2552–2558.
Mölsä H., Reynolds J.E., Coenen E.J. & Lindqvist O.V. (1999). Fisheries research towards resource management on Lake Tanganyika. Hydrobiologia 407: 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003712708969
Mölsä H., Sarvala J., Badende S., Chitamwebwa D., Kanyaru R., Mulimbwa N’sibula T. & Mwape L. (2002). Ecosystem monitoring in the development of sustainable fisheries in Lake Tanganyika. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 5: 267–281.
Mulimbwa N’sibula T. (2006). Assessment of the commercial artisanal fishing impact on three endemic pelagic fish stocks, Stolothrissa tanganicae, Limnothrissa miodon and Lates stappersi in Bujumbura and Kigoma sub-basins of Lake Tanganyika. Verhandlungen der Internationalen Vereinigung für theoretische und angewandte Limnologie 29: 1189–1193.
Mulimbwa N’sibula T. (2020). Dynamique de Limnothrissa miodon, Stolothrissa tanganicae et de Lates stappersi, en vue de la gestion durable de la pêche au lac Tanganyika (sous bassin de Bujumbura). Rapport Mesurable, Rapportage et Vérifiable (MRV) CEBioS 2020 Partenariat Coopération belge au Développement (C.B.D) / Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, Bruxelles.
Mulimbwa N’sibula T. & Shirakihara K. (1994). Growth, recruitment and reproduction of sardines (Stolothrissa tanganicae and Limnothrissa miodon) in Northwestern Lake Tanganyika. Tropics 4: 57–67.
Mulimbwa N’sibula T., Sarvala J & Raeymaekers J.A.M. (2014a). Reproductive activities of two zooplanktivorous clupeid fish in relation to the seasonal abundance of copepod prey in the northern end of Lake Tanganyika. Belgian Journal of Zoology 144 (2): 77–92. https://doi.org/10.26496/bjz.2014.68
Mulimbwa N’sibula T., Raeymaekers J.A.M & Sarvala J. (2014b). Seasonal changes in the pelagic catch of two clupeid zooplanktivores in relation to the abundance of copepod zooplankton in the northern end of Lake Tanganyika. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 17: 25–33.
Mulimbwa N’sibula T., Milec L.J.M., Raeymaekers J.A.M., Sarvala J., Plisnier P.-D., Marwa B. & Micha J.-C. (2022). Spatial and seasonal variation in reproductive indices of the clupeids Limnothrissa miodon and Stolothrissa tanganicae in the Congolese waters of northern Lake Tanganyika. Belgian Journal of Zoology 152: 13–31. https://doi.org/10.26496/bjz.2022.96
Mushagalusa C.D., Micha J.-C., Ntakimazi G. & Nshombo M. (2015). Brief evaluation of the current state of fish stocks landed by artisanal fishing units from the extreme northwest part of Lake Tanganyika. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2: 41–48.
Okito M.G., Micha J.-C., Habarigura J.B., Ntakimazi G. & Nshombo M.V. (2017). Socio-economics of artisanal fisheries in Burundian waters of Lake Tanganyika at Mvugo and Muguruka. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 11: 1991–8631.
O’Reilly C.M., Alin S.R., Plisnier P.D., Cohen A.S. & McKee B.A. (2003). Climate change decreases aquatic ecosystem productivity of Lake Tanganyika, Africa. Nature 424: 766–768. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01833
Pauly D. & David N. (1981). ELEFAN I, a BASIC program for the objective extraction of growth parameters from length-frequency data. Berichte der Deutschen Wissenschaftlichen Kommission für Meeresforschung 28: 205–211.
Plisnier P.-D. (1997). Climate, Limnology, and Fisheries Changes of Lake Tanganyika. FAO/FINNIDA Research for the Management of the Fisheries of Lake Tanganyika. GCP/RAF/271/FIN-TD/72 (En):38p.
Plisnier P.-D., Mgana H., Kimirei I., Change A., Makasa L., Chimanga J., Zulu F., Cocquyt C., Horion S., Bergamino N., Naithani J., Deleersnijder E., André L., Descy J.P. & Cornet Y. (2009). Limnological variability and pelagic fish abundance (Stolothrissa tanganicae and Lates stappersii) in Lake Tanganyika. Hydrobiologia 625: 117–134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-009-9701-4
Plisnier P.-D., Kayanda R., MacIntyre S., Obiero K., Okello W., Vodacek A., Cocquyt C., Abegaz H., Achieng A., Akonkwa B., Albrecht C., Balagizi C., Barasa J., Abel Bashonga R., Bashonga Bishobibiri A., Bootsma H., Borges A.V., Chavula G., Dadi T., De Keyzer E.L.R., Doran P.J., Gabagambi N., Gatare R., Gemmell A., Getahun A., Haambiya L.H., Higgins S.N., Hyangya B.L., Irvine K., Isumbisho M., Jonasse C., Katongo C., Katsev S., Keyombe J., Kimirei I., Kisekelwa T., Kishe M., Otoung A. Koding S., Kolding J., Kraemer B.M., Limbu P., Lomodei E., Mahongo S.B., Malala J., Mbabazi S., Masilya P.M., McCandless M., Medard M., Migeni Ajode Z., Mrosso H.D., Mudakikwa E.R., Mulimbwa N., Mushagalusa D., Muvundja F.A., Nankabirwa A., Nahimana D., Ngatunga B.P., Ngochera M., Nicholson S., Nshombo M., Ntakimazi G., Nyamweya C., Ikwaput Nyeko J., Olago D., Olbamo T., O’Reilly C.M., Pasche N., Phiri H., Raasakka N., Salyani A., Sibomana C., Silsbe G.M., Smith S., Sterner R.W., Thiery W., Tuyisenge J., Van der Knaap M., Van Steenberge M., van Zwieten P.A.M., Verheyen E., Wakjira M., Walakira J., Ndeo Wembo O., Lawrence T. (2023). Need for harmonized long-term multi-lake monitoring of African Great Lakes. Journal of Great Lakes Research 49: e101988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2022.01.016
Rohatgi A. (2022). WebPlotDigitizer: Version 4.6. Pacifica, California, USA. Available from https://automeris.io/WebPlotDigitizer [accessed 15 July 2024].
Roest (1978). Bibliography of Fisheries and Limnology for Lake Tanganyika. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, CIFA Occasional Paper, 6: 1–12 and supplements.
Sarvala J. & Mulimbwa N’sibula T. (2023). GLOW10 2023. Dar es Salaam 15–17 February 2023.
Sarvala J., Salonen K., Järvinen M., Aro E., Huttula T., Kotilainen P., Kurki H., Langenberg V.T., Mannini P., Peltonen A., Plisnier P.-D., Vuorinen I., Mölsä H. & Lindqvist O. (1999). Trophic structure of Lake Tanganyika: carbon flows in the pelagic food web. Hydrobiologia 407: 149–173. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003753918055
Sarvala J., Langenberg V.T., Salonen K., Chitamwebwa D., Coulter G.W., Huttula T., Kanyaru R., Kotilainen P., Makasa L., Mulimbwa N. & Mölsä H. (2006a). Fish catches from Lake Tanganyika mainly reflect changes in fishery practices, not climate. Verhandlungen der Internationalen Vereinigung für theoretische und angewandte Limnologie 29: 1182–1188. https://doi.org/10.1080/03680770.2005.11902871
Sarvala J., Langenberg V.T., Salonen K., Chitamwebwa D., Coulter G.W., Huttula T., Kotilainen P., Mulimbwa N. & Mölsä H. (2006b). Changes in dissolved silica and transparency are not sufficient evidence for decreased primary productivity due to climate warming in Lake Tanganyika. Reply to comment by Verburg, Hecky and Kling. Verhandlungen der Internationalen Vereinigung für theoretische und angewandte Limnologie 29: 2339–2342. https://doi.org/10.1080/03680770.2006.11903113
Schwamborn R. (2018). How reliable are the Powell–Wetherall plot method and the maximum-length approach? Implications for length-based studies of growth and mortality. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 28: 587–605. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-018-9519-0
Schwamborn R., Mildenberger T.K. & Taylor M.H. (2019). Assessing sources of uncertainty in length-based estimates of body growth in populations of fishes and macroinvertebrates with bootstrapped ELEFAN. Ecological Modelling 393: 37–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2018.12.001
Sparre P. & Venema S.C. (1998). Introduction to Tropical Fish Stock Assessment, Part 1–Manual. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 306 (1): 407.
Taylor M.H. & Mildenberger T.K. (2017). Extending electronic length frequency analysis in R. Fisheries Management and Ecology 24: 230–238. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12232
Van der Knaap M., Katonda I. & De Graaf G.J. (2014). Lake Tanganyika fisheries frame survey analysis: assessment of the options for management of the fisheries of Lake Tanganyika. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 17: 4–13.
Van Steenberge M., Vanhove M.P.M., Muzumani Risasi D., Mulimbwa N’sibula T., Muterezi Bukinga F., Pariselle A., Gillardin C., Vreven E., Raeymaekers J.A.M., Huyse T., Volckaert F.A.M., Nshombo Muderhwa V. & Snoeks J. (2011). A recent inventory of the fishes of the north-western and central western coast of Lake Tanganyika (Democratic Republic Congo). Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 41: 201–214. https://doi.org/10.3750/AIP2011.41.3.08
Verburg P., Hecky R.E. & Kling H. (2003). Ecological consequences of a century of warming in Lake Tanganyika. Science (80) 301: 505–507. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1084846
Von Bertalanffy L. (1938). A quantitative theory of organic growth. Human Biology 10: 181–213.
Wang K., Zhang C., Xu B., Xue Y. & Ren Y. (2020). Selecting optimal bin size to account for growth variability in Electronic LEngth Frequency ANalysis (ELEFAN). Fisheries Research 225: 105474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2019.105474
Wang K., Zhang C., Sun M., Xu B., Ji Y., Xue Y. & Ren Y. (2021). Fishing pressure and lifespan affect the estimation of growth parameters using ELEFAN. Fisheries Research 238: e105903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.105903
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 N'Sibula T. Mulimbwa, Cesc Gordó-Vilaseca, Leona J.M. Milec, Deepti M. Patel, Busanga Alidor Kankonda, Jean-Claude Micha, Jouko Sarvala, Joost A.M. Raeymaekers
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All published papers will be put on-line as high resolution PDF’s. Copyright thus remains with the authors. All manuscripts will be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
