Freshwater Fisheries

Specific Foundation / Core

The course is also offered to exchange programme students.

Upon successful completion of this course, students: a) Will have acquired basic knowledge of Ichthyology and the practices for the rational management of fisheries in inland waters. b) Will have mastered the methods of study of fisheries biology of fish species and their populations. c) Would have understood the modern improvement methods aimed at sustainable management of fisheries in inland waters in conjunction with current legislation.

Physico-chemical characteristics of inland waters. In general about the fish. External morphology, anatomy and physiology of fish. Description of biological systems (respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, digestive, reproductive). Geographical distribution and migrations of fish. Ichthyological zones of running waters. Types of fish spawning. Gonad maturation, spawning, sex differentiation. Incubation and embryonic development. Age and growth of fish. Age determination from scales, otoliths etc., control precision of age calculating. Growth, length - weight relationships, condition factor, specific growth index. Fecundity and egg size of fish, changes with age and size. Diet and feeding habits of fish, methods of stomach contents analysis. Methods for estimating fish populations. Mortality and survival of fish. Inland fisheries management. Characteristics of fish habitats, differences between running and stagnant inland waters. Classification and morphology of rivers and lakes. Fishery improvement operations, improvement the living conditions of fish and the spawning places. Inland fisheries legislation.

Ichthyology, Fishery biology, Fishery management, Inland waters

10-01-2014