A comparison of growth rates of coarse fish in gravel-pit lakes in south-east England and of population structure in selected lakes

Age and growth rates of the coarse fish of 39 gravel-pit lakes in South-East England are compared. Species composition and growth rate are very variable, the commonest species being roach (Rutilus rutilus L.), bream (Abramis brama L.), tench (Tinca tinca L.), perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and pike (Esox lucius L.). There was no apparent correlation between fish growth rate and age, size or any other measured parameter of a lake. Two lakes dominated by pike and perch and four lakes dominated by roach, bream and tench were studied. Two annual estimates of fish population abundance were carried out in these six lakes using the following mark-recapture models: Lincoln Index (Bailey modification); Fisher and Ford (Triple Catch); Leslie (Method B grouping); and Jolly's Stochastic Model. An additional model involving a modification of the Triple Catch method to allow for mortality or change in catchability of marked fish is proposed. These models and methods of marking and tagging fish are critically appraised. A notable criticism is that marked fish cannot be regarded as behaving in the same way as unmarked individuals.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

City of London Polytechnic

Year dc:date.issued

1976

Author dc:creator

• Gee, Alun Stewart

• 590 Animals (Zoology)

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

N/A

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.londonmet.ac.uk:7753