A Study on Capoeta capoeta (Guldenstaedt, 1772) Population Living in Kockopru Dam Lake; Van-TURKEY

Abstract

The aim of this study is aiming to determine the growth and reproduction of C. capoeta (Guldenstaedt, 1772) population living in Kockopru Dam Lake, Van-Turkey and to arrange the fishing on the scientific base. The study was carried out from December 1998 to October 2001. The ages, lengths, and weights of the investigated C. capoeta individuals varied from I to VI year, 3.2 to 39.8 cm, and 0.4 g to 755.6 g, respectively. Length-weight and age-length relationships were determined as logW=-1.899+2.999xlogFL, FL = 58.24[1-e-0.152x(t-0.376)], respectively. The mean condition factor was determined as 1.275±0.004. It was established that males and females attained sexual maturity when they reached to 23 cm and 33 cm in length, respectively; and spawning was observed from May 15th to June 15th. The male: female ratio was found as 1:1.43. It was observed that C. capoeta entered to streams in May and stayed there until the end of September. It was also noticed that C. capoeta to be caught before they had not reproduced. It will be appropriate to ban commercial fishing in Kockopru Dam Lake from May 1st to July 1st and to set minimum length for fishing as 34 cm. With this application, population sustainability will be attained, and the maximum sustainable yield will be gained