Population Dynamics of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus(Linnaeus, 1758) (Teleostei, Cichlidae), in Some Irrigation Reservoirs of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Oreochromis niloticus(Linnaeus, 1758) exhibits differences in demographic parameters across the reservoirs, resulting in inconsistencies in optimal fishing strategies. This study aimed at investigating O. niloticuspopulations in 10 reservoirs. Length-frequency data of O. niloticusfrom fishlandings of 10 irrigation reservoirs in Sri Lanka were corrected for multi-mesh gillnet selection and were analysed by FiSAT II stock assessment software. Asymptotic total length ranged from 42.8 cm to 53.4 cm and growth constant ranged from 0.20 yr-1to 0.49 yr-1. As growth performance indices of 10 reservoir populations of O. niloticuswere within the range reported previously and as the estimated growth parameters fall within the “growth space” of the species, these estimates were consistent with those reported in the literature. Length-converted catch curves of 10 reservoir populations of O. niloticusalso gave reliable estimates of total mortality. Exploitation rates of the 10 populations ranged from very low (0.14) to very high (0.76) values. From the relative yield-per-recruit analyses, it was apparent that in some reservoirs, long-term fish yields can be optimised using gillnet mesh sizes of 7.6 cm. While optimal long-term fish yields of O. niloticusin other reservoirs could be achieved by increasing the permissible gillnet mesh size above the legal mesh size of 8.4 cm. Hence, the gillnet mesh regulations in the Sri Lankan reservoir fishery should not be uniform but reservoir-specific. Accordingly, site-specific management options, which are defined in consultation of resource users are necessary to be implemented in reservoir fisheries of the country.