Seasonal and annual variations in the abundance of the clupeid Limnothrissa miodon in Lake Kivu

There was no clear seasonal cycle in the abundance of the sardine Limnorhrissa miodon in Lake Kivu hut average values suggest that the fish are most numerous in the south from October-April and in the north from April4ctoher. The possibility that there may be a migration from south to north is considered. The catch per unit effort appears to be independent of the present level of fishing effort but may be determined by the annual rainfall two years earlier. In this respect, Lake Kivu is similar to Lake Kariba where nutrient supply is determined by river flow.