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Fish and fisheries of the Prespa lakes

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Abstract

Twenty-three taxa of fish have been identified fromthe Prespa lakes. Eleven of these have been introducedor translocated, and 7 of the remaining 12 are endemicto the Prespa lakes. This high proportion of endemismrequires confirmation because the systematic positionof several of the species and subspecies remainsuncertain. The absence of a predatory fish in MikriPrespa, the occurrence of trout in Megali Prespa, thepresence of eels in both lakes and the occurrence ofmany rheophilous fish species typifies the fishcommunities of these two lakes. Monitoring of the fishpopulation in Mikri Prespa, from 1984 to 1994, showedapparent stability or a slight increase in catchesduring this period. Not all the introduced specieshave been able to establish populations and theirimpact on the indigenous populations is yet to bedefined. A spectacular re-establishment of the carppopulation, following the crash of the stock of thisspecies in the 1970s–1980s, was recorded in the springof 1991. The past and present situation of thefisheries in lakes Mikri and Megali Prespa isdescribed, and their productivity and yields areanalysed. Particular attention is given to atraditional fishing method unique to the Presparegion: pelaizia fishing. The factors involved inthe temporal trends in the fisheries are identifiedand analysed. Recommendations for the management ofthe fish populations and the fisheries are proposed,so that the sustainability of this resource and thesurvival of the endemic fish species can beensured.

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Crivelli, A.J., Catsadorakis, G., Malakou, M. et al. Fish and fisheries of the Prespa lakes. Hydrobiologia 351, 107–125 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003064509018

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