BANDA, M.C.

Malawi Fisheries Research Institute, PO Box 27, Monkey Bay, Malawi

Population biology of the catfish Bagrus meridonalis from the southern part of Lake Malawi

The study investigated the endemic catfish, Bagrus meridionalis of Lake Malawi in order to understand their ecological relations, distribution, abundance and life history. The catfish are the second most important group of targeted species in Lake Malawi's fisheries. Surveys were conducted on the research vessel, Ndunduma, using a bottom and mid-water trawl from June 1994 to March 1996. The management implications of the ecology in relation to development of the deep trawl fishery are discussed.