Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://localhost:4000/handle/20.500.12092/1915
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Item Difficulties of fishing at Lake Naivasha, Kenya: is community participation in management the solution?(Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd, 2010) Muchiri, Mucai; Njiru, James Murithi; Ojuok, Jacob E.; Aura, Christopher Mulanda; Kundu, RodrickItem Zooplankton partitioning in a tropical alkaline-saline endorheic Lake Nakuru, Kenya: Spatial and temporal trends in relation to the environment(Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and management, 2011) Okoth, Elijah-Oyoo; Muchiri, Mucai; Ngugi, Charles, C.; Njenga, Elizabeth, W.; Ngure, Veronica; Orina, Paul, S.; Chemoiwa, Emily, C.; Wanjohi, Bernard, K.Spatial and temporal zooplankton variations were studied for 1 year in tropical alkaline–saline Lake Nakuru to determine how they partition in the habitat, relative to environmental variables. Monthly samples were collected at 10 sampling sites, with subsurface tows, using 33.5-lm mesh plankton nets. Physicochemical parameters displayed clear seasonal variations associated with precipitation patterns. Nine species, belonging to two main zooplankton taxonomic groups (ciliates; rotifers), were identified in the samples. Brachionus dimidiatus dominated the samples, accounting for 80% of the total zooplankton abundance. Kruskall–Wallis tests indicated significant (P < 0.05) temporal and spatial variations among all taxonomic groups. Different zooplankton species displayed a clear succession throughout the year. The total abundance of the rotifers and ciliates peaked at sampling sites near inlets during the long rainy seasons, while those in the inshore sites displayed variable succession patterns. Spatiotemporal structure of the zooplankton assemblages, and its correlation with environmental variables, indicated each species displayed distinct niche-based partitioning. The ciliates niche was associated with increasing soluble reactive phosphorus, total phosphorus and nitrite–nitrogen (NO –N) concentrations. Niche partitioning in rotifers was associated with nitrate–nitrogen (NO –N), conductivity and pH. These results indicate physical niche separation, even in a small, relatively homogenous lake among species of rotifers and ciliates, providing information from which future changes in their abundance and spatial distributions can be predicted, given continuous water quality changes.Item Difficulties of fishing at Lake Naivasha, Kenya: is community participation in management the solution?(2010) Muchiri, Mucai; Aura, Christopher Mulanda; Kundu, Rodrick; Njiru, James Murithi; Ojuok, Jacob E.Unlike other lakes in tropical regions, Lake Naivasha exhibits low fish species diversity. The fishery is based on introduced fish species that are not native to the lake. The lake ecosystem is very fragile, as reflected in its fluctuating fish catches. The fishery almost completely collapsed in 2001, due partly to mismanagement and ignorance about needed conservation measures. The Kenyan government, like many governments around the world, recognized the need to involve fishers and other stakeholders, in order to ensure better management of the lake fisheries resources. Also referred to as collaborative management (co-management), this management approach provides the opportunity to share responsibility for managing the fishery resources between the government and the community. A total ban on fishing was imposed in February 2001, lasting for 1 year, to allow lake fish stocks to recover. This study analyses the co-management process for Lake Naivasha, and discusses the role played by the community during the fishing ban, as well as the successes and challenges encountered, and the tribulations and perceptions of the fishers regarding the new management strategy. It also comprises the first documentation of community participation in fisheries management begun for Lake Naivasha in the year 2001.