Length-Weight Relationship and Condition of Indigenous Fish Species in the Upper Awash River, Ethiopia in relation to human activities

Document Type : Original Article

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Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between indigenous fish species' growth parameters and human activities in the upper Awash River. Sampling was carried out from May to October 2021 at monthly intervals using an electrofisher. A total of 2242 fish specimens belonging to four species were collected and measured, and any correlations with various human activities were analyzed. The most abundant species was Garra dembecha, and the fewest populations were of Garra makiensis. The length-weight relationships were significant for all species (p < 0.05), with R2 values ranging from 0.7 to 0.99. Garra quadrimaculata and Garra makiensis exhibited isometric and a positive allometric growth pattern, respectively, while Garra dembecha and Labeobarbus beso had a negative allometric growth pattern. The Fulton condition factor (K) and b values significantly (p < 0.05) varied between sites depending on the level of human activity. A site with low human activity was characterized by high values of most growth parameters (K max. "b" and "a" and regression coefficient, R2), while a site with intensive farming (AW4) showed a positive correlation with the fish abundance and biomass. The findings showed that human activities affected the growth parameters of studied fish species. These findings emphasize the need for sustainable management practices to maintain the continued survival of these important fish populations in the upper Awash River.

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