Evaluation of stock status of Channa micropeltes in Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia, by means of CPUE analysis

摘要

Data collection and interview survey were conducted to evaluate stock status of a snake head, Channa micropeltes, which is one of the major fisheries target species around Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia. The catch data classified by species was collected for the first time in a project cooperated with the Mekong River Commission during 1995-1999 around Tonle Sap Lake. The four provinces continued collecting individual species catch data even after the project. The catch of C. micropeltes decreased during 1995-2008 in the four provinces. Additionally, individual species catch data sorted by fishing lot, exclusive fishing area, were recorded in Kampong Thorn province. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) of C. micropeltes in the fishing lot No. 3, 4 and 5, which is situated in the margin of Tonle Sap Lake, was calculated. The CPUEs rapidly decreased during 1995-2001, and the values then remained low. These results suggest the stock has been depleted in Tonle Sap Lake. We also found that the recent catch had recovered since 2006 in another smaller lake in Kampong Thom province. This may be attributed to the effect of the decrease of the illegal fishing for the fingerling in closed season according to the prohibition of the aquaculture of C. micropeltes since 2004.