Fish species occurrences mobilized from various Environmental Impact Assessments DataSet Details

Description:

This resource presents a dataset of fish species occurrences mobilized from surveys conducted as part of Environmental Impact Assessments associated with development projects in Uganda.

Purpose:

Baseline data for monitoring changes in fish composition alongside infrastructural developments

Temporal scope:

2016-2019

Taxonomic scope:

Orders: 11
Families: 17
Genera: 37
Species: 51

Methodology:

Study extent
The datasets covers lakes Albert and Victoria and rivers Ayago, Kafu, Kagera, Katonga, Kibale, Kyambura, Murchison falls national park, Nabakazi, Sonso, Tangi, Waiga, Waisoke, Waki, Wambabya and Victoria Nile. The monitoring for the conservation area on Lake Victoria was conducted in 2017 and 2018. Lake Victoria. The assessment for hydropower development on River Kyambura was done twice in 2018 and 2019. Most of the other water bodies were sampled once, typical for environmental impact assessments.

Sampling
Sampling description
Experimental gillnets of mesh sizes of 1-2.5 inches were used in rivers and were left to fish passively for a period of at least 2hrs. After the two hours, gillnets were retrieved. The fish were counted and weighed. In lakes, gillnets of 1-8 inches, set overnight were used. Ectrofishing, a non –lethal fishing methods was conducted at the site-specific selected habitats. This was conducted using a SUM electrofisher equipped with battery and a 2 m long floating copper cathode. Fyke nets, basket and minnow traps were set in littoral areas of lakes and along the banks of rivers. Upon retrieval, all the catch was identified to species level according to Greenwood (1966). The fish species were counted and weighed.

Method steps
1. Sampling Experimental gillnets of mesh sizes of 1-2.5 inches were used in rivers and were left to fish passively for a period of at least 2hrs. After the two hours, gillnets were retrieved. The fish were counted and weighed. In lakes, gillnets of 1-8 inches, set overnight were used. Ectrofishing, a non –lethal fishing methods was conducted at the site-specific selected habitats. This was conducted using a SUM electrofisher equipped with battery and a 2 m long floating copper cathode. Fyke nets, basket and minnow traps were set in littoral areas of lakes and along the banks of rivers. Upon retrieval, all the catch was identified to species level according to Greenwood (1966). The fish species were counted and weighed.
2. Identification in the field Taxonomic identification of the fish was made using according to Greenwood (1966)

Bibliography:

Greenwood, P.H. (1966) The fishes of Uganda. Uganda Society, Kampala

Number of Occurrencies:

313 Records

Authors:

Mark Olokotum

Laban Musinguzi

Vianny Natugonza