CHANGES IN GROWTH AND SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF SAROTHERODON-MACROCHIR AND SAROTHERODON-ANDERSONI FROM THE KAFUE FLOODPLAIN, ZAMBIA, SINCE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KAFUE GORGE DAM

The Kafue floodplain produces an annual fish yield of about 5000 tonnes. The 1971 closure of the Kafue Gorge Dam downstream from the floodplain modified flooding patterns and created some question as to whether conditions for growth and reproduction of major species would be adversely affected or improved. No obvious changes in the growth of the two major species, Sarotherodon andersoni and S. macrochir, that could be related to the dam were found in samples collected in 1975. Available data concerning year class fluctuations and size distribution indicate that typical high post‐impoundment water levels may limit reproduction and year class size of these Sarotherodon species. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved