Study of Plankton Diversity in Relation to Fish Production in Wai Lake
Author : Wanjari AJ
Abstract :
Wai Lake has a diverse assemblage of plankton. Phytoplankton population varied from 1.0x101-9.1x103 cell1-1. Chlorophyceae and Bacillriophyceae were co-dominant components. This lake supports a low standing crop of zooplankton (6.1-9.2x10-3ind-3) during the year with pear population being developed after maximum phytoplankton activity. Phytoplankton community (26 species) were far diverse than the zooplankton in the lake. Chlorophycae (39.6%) & Bacillariophycae (30.4%) were the main components of phytoplankton. Cyanophyceae were represented by 30% species. The population structure is quite stable with annual peroration of copepod, Rotifera and Cladocera. Rotifer was the most important components of zooplankton community (10 species). Cladocera plankton was represented by 02 species, 4 species of copepod.
The fish production of the lake on the basis of commercial landing was recorded as 43.1 t during 2021-2022 respectively. Major carps constitute the main fishery of the lake whereas catfishes & minor carps & trash fishes were the smallest components of catch during the year 2021-2022. Fish catch data shown that major carps were contributed more than a catch of weed fishes & minor carps. It appears that most of the energy fixed by the autotrophs (phytoplankton) is utilized by carp fishes particularly Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Cirrihnus mrigala which for about 35% of the total fish population. Composition & abundance of phytoplankton is greatly requested by the zooplankton and Fishes. This paper discusses plankton population in relation to fisheries in the lake.
Keywords :
Plankton, Wai Lake, Zooplankton, Phytoplankton
