Population dynamics of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L. 1758) stock in Lake Langeno, Ethiopia

Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, is a widely distributed and economically most import fish species in Ethiopia. Effective management is essential to sustain their fisheries and the benefits for the local communities. However, little is known about the population dynamics of the Nile tilapia stock in Lake Langeno. Vital parameters of its population were determined using length frequency data collected from 5,949 specimens ranging from 8.5 to 35.7 cm total length (tl). These specimens were collected from August 2017to July 2018. The population parameters were determined using the elefan I routine in FiSAT software. Estimated von Bertalanffy growth parameters were asymptotic length (L∞) = 35.70 cm, growth curvature (K) = 0.32 yr-1, age at length zero (to) = -0.49, and growth performance index (Փ') = 2.61. Instantaneous total mortality (Z), natural mortality (M), and fishing mortality (F) rates were determined from length-converted catch curve and empirical models, respectively, and their values obtained were Z = 2.31 yr-1, M = 0.82 and F =1.56 yr-1, respectively. The exploitation rate (E) of Nile tilapia computed from its mortality rates was 0.67 yr-1, suggesting state of overfishing. The size at first capture (Lc) was estimated at 14.0 cm which is much lower than the size at first maturity (Lm=16.62 cm), which further substantiated the state of overfishing. The results of the study are very useful for fishery managers and scientists who wish to manage and further explore the Nile tilapia stock in Lake Langeno.