Effect of Meteorological Parameters on Mullet Recruitment Patterns in Bagamoyo Mangroves Ecosystem, Tanzania

Abstract

We studied the annual distribution patterns and size structure of mullet fish in Ruvu Estuarine Mangrove (REM) and Mbegani non Estuarine Mangroves (MnEM) areas of Bagamoyo Tanzania in relation to meteorological parameters. Mullets were collected during low tide using beach seine of 20 m long, 2 m wide with a stretched mesh size of 1.6 cm towed over an area of about 100 m2. Two mullet species, Mugil cephalus and Valamugil buchanani were found in study area varied significantly in terms of abundance between sites and between seasons. The M. Cephalus abundance was signicantly higher in REM site than in MnEM sites (Kruskal Wallis, p < 0.024). The abundance of M. cephalus and V. buchanani were significantly higher during rainy season than dry season ((Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.020; p < 0.001) respectively. The mullet collected on mangroves area were all juveniles and were positively correlated ((p < 0.05) with rainfall and dissolved oxygen. However, they were indirectly correlated ((p < 0.05) with atmospheric temperature which significantly affects other environmental parameters and in turn affect mullet recruitment patterns. Understanding the relationships among meteorological factors, environmental parameters and mullet recruitment patterns can be useful for forecasting future success of fishery and mariculture progress in Tanzania.