The evaluation of cage fish farming effects on water quality using selected benthic macro-invertebrate community parameters in the napoleon gulf, northern Lake Victoria
Loading...
Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies
Abstract
Since the proliferation of cage fish farming in Uganda has raised concern over water quality
deterioration, a study of the effects of cage fish farming on water quality in the Napoleon Gulf, Northern
Lake Victoria was conducted during October 2012 to February 2013. Selected water column physicochemical
parameters and benthic macro-invertebrates’ community parameters (i.e. numerical abundance,
Shannon-Weaver diversity Index and modified Hilsenhoff Biotic Index) were analyzed monthly at both
cage and non-cage sites. No significant differences were observed in physico-chemical parameter values,
benthic macro-invertebrates’ numerical abundance and Hilsenhoff Biotic Index between cage and noncage
sites. On the other hand Benthic macro-invertebrate species diversity differed significantly between
the reference site and cage site 2 (P<0.05). Pollution tolerant Chironomus sp. and Melanoides tuberculata
Muller, 1774 were significantly higher at the cage sites than the non-cage sites (P<0.05). These results
suggest that cage fish farming significantly changed water quality.
Description
Keywords
Cage fish farming, Water quality, Benthic macro-invertebrates’ species diversity, Physicochemical parameters
Citation
Nabirye, H., Mwebaza-Ndawula, L., Bugenyi, F. W. B., & Muyodi, F. J. (2016). The evaluation of cage fish farming effects on water quality using selected benthic macro-invertebrate community parameters in the Napoleon gulf, Northern Lake Victoria. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 4(1), 42-50.