Floodplain fishery of the lower Sondu-Miriu River with emphasis on the Nile perch (Lates niloticus) (Linnaeus)

Experimental beach seine surveys in 1990 in the lower Sondu-Miriu River in Kenya indicate a potential catch rate of up to 59.8 kg ha super(-1) hr super(-1). Lates niloticus dominated the catches in the lower reaches (37.5%), while catches in the upper reaches were dominated by Labeo victorianus, Schilbe mystus and Barbus altianalis. L. victorianus contributed up to 84.8% of the catch in the upper reaches by weight. Catches in the floodplain were dominated by Oreochromis niloticus, O. variabilis and Clarias gariepinus, which contributed more than 50% by weight. The size frequency distribution of L. niloticus suggests that larger specimens occur in the river as compared to the floodplain.