Luciolates stapperssi in Lake Tanganyika. Demographical status and possible recent variations assessed by length frequency distributions

Over two years, monthly length frequency distributions of Luciolates stapperssi have been obtained from commercial fisheries of Lake Tanganyika using purse seines. Due to low selectivity of this fishing method, the length frequency distributions have been used to get estimates of growth parameters, breeding season and total mortality. Information is provided for the years 1972, 1982, 1983, in the northern part of the lake (Burundi Sector). Growth parameters remain more or less constant, but total mortality between two and six years displays important variations.