Selectivity and fish catches of gillnets

Gillnet fishing in Stratum VII of Lake Volta reveals the dangers involved in the use of inappropriate gillnet over a period of time. The gear is used both in the inland and marine fisheries. Gillnet fishing is therefore found to be the commonest method in fishing worldwide. The use of gillnets ought to be monitored and regulated in order not to promote 'growth' or 'recruitment' overfishing among others. With the declining nature of fish catches which are controversial to explain in Lake Volta, fishermen deploy all sorts of illegal gillnets to increase their fishing output. This however,can have both negative and postive effects on the fishery. This work seeks to explore the changes regarding fish species, composition by number and weight, and gillnet selection parameters. It also explores an approach to addressing immediate and future problems of the fishery.