Fish Biodiversity Assessments for Conservation and Hydropower Developments

Study Extent

The datasets cover River Kagera section and Kiyanja/Kyazanga wetland in the Lake Victoria basin. The assessments were conducted in March to April 2020 and August 2020 respectively.

Sampling

On river Kagera, sampling locations were selected from zones of direct influence of the development hydropower plant. In addition, areas further upstream and downstream away from the development were also sampled. Fish sampling was done using a multi gear approach. Traps, gillnets (1-2.5 inches) and an electrofisher were used. Fishermens' catches from Known localities were also useful in gathering fish observations. Experimental gillnets of mesh sizes of 1-2.5 inches were used in the river at intervals of at least two hours. Electrofishing was conducted at selected habitats. This was conducted using a SUM electrofisher equipped with a battery and a 2 m long floating copper cathode. Minnow traps were set in littoral areas along the riverbanks. In the wetland, only electrofishing was conducted at the selected sites following guidance. Upon retrieval, all the catch was identified to species level according to Greenwood (1966). The fish species were counted and weighed.

Quality Control

Appropriate fish identification guides were used.

Method steps

1. Taxonomic identification of the fish was made according to Greenwood (1966).

All fish were identified to genus and species

1. Astatoreochromis alluaudi
   rank: species
2. Astatotilapia
   rank: genus
3. Bagrus docmak
   rank: species
4. Clarias gariepinus
   rank: species
5. Clarias liocephalus
   rank: species
6. Ctenopoma muriei
   rank: species
7. Enteromius apleurogramma
   rank: species
8. Enteromius jacksoni
   rank: species
9. Enteromius kerstenii
   rank: species
10. Gnathonemus longibarbis
    rank: species
11. Hapagochromis
    rank: genus
12. Haplochromis
    rank: genus
13. Hippopotamyrus grahami
    rank: species
14. Labeo victorianus
    rank: species
15. Labeobarbus altianalis
    rank: species
16. Lacustricola pumilus
    rank: species
17. Mastecembelus frenatus
    rank: species
18. Oreochromis leucostictus
    rank: species
19. Oreochromis niloticus
    rank: species
20. Petrocephalus catastoma
    rank: species
21. Pollimyrus nigricans
    rank: species
22. Protopterus aethiopicus
    rank: species
23. Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor
    rank: species
24. Schilbe intermedius
    rank: species
25. Synodontis afrofischeri
    rank: species

The dataset covers River Kagera in Isingiro district (western Uganda) and a semi-permanent wetland in Lwengo district (western Uganda).