DOI: 10.31038/GEMS.2023514

Abstract

The human activities have strongly altered size, age, sex ratio, fecundity, feeding nature and biodiversity of fishes from the freshwater ecosystems over the world especially riverine division. During study period 548 specimens of Cyprinus carpio were collected from February 2019 to January 2020 in fish landing centre at Sirsa from the lower stretch of the Tons River at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. The size of fishes varied from 97 to 687 mm (total length). The maximum size of fishes indicated that the stock of C. carpio in the Tons River was in healthy condition. The 251-290 mm size group was most dominated (16.42%) compared to 211-250 mm (14.78%) and 291-330 mm (12.96%) in total exploited stock. The lower size group was maximum exploited with 57.83% from the Tons River at Prayagraj. Higher size group contributed minute proportion with 4.74% in the exploited stock. The exploitation pattern was systematic in all size groups. Current exploitation pattern is systematic and healthy form with environmentally friendly sourcing of food.

Keywords

Size composition, Stock, Exploitation pattern, Ecosystem, Tons River, Cyprinus carpio

Introduction

Fish size composition is an essential component of river and stream ecosystem and represents an evident of structure, function, depth and health of stream/river [1-5]. Mostly large size and perennial rivers has large size of fishes in lotic water bodies [6-9]. The fish exploitation is an economic activity governed by social needs, food security and pressures [10-14]. Freshwater fishing is a chief foundation of income and protein for the riverine populations of most tropical regions [15-20]. Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) or Common carp is an omnivorous and bottom feeder fish species. It is distributed throughout countries in Asian countries as like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma and Nepal and also globally spread [21,22]. It is economically important fish species from the Tons River and also Ganga River system, and supports an important commercial fishery in rivers, reservoirs, lakes and even in culture ponds [23-25]. C. carpio is a non-native fish species for India. Non-native fishes are helping for homogenization of fish faunas, increasing of diversity and create pressure (example food, space, breeding ground, oxygen, infection and survival of organisms) for indigenous species or native species [26-30]. The fish are often key elements in the environmental planning [31-34]. The present study was thus undertaken to estimate size composition and health of the stock of C. carpio from the Tons River at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Central India. This study will help in formulating the fishery management policies of C. carpio from the Tons River and to update the knowledge in this field.

Material and Methods

Climate and Characteristics of the River

The climate of this region (Tons River basin) is marked by mild cold during winter and intensive heat during summer. The monsoon season is July to September month. Sometimes winter rainfall is also recorded. The Tons River is essentially a hilly stream arising in the Kaimur hills of the Vindhyan range, Madhya Pradesh, India. The Tons River drains the Bundelkhand geographic region of central India. Bundelkhand lies between the Indo-Gangetic Plain to the north and the Vindhya Range to the south. It is a tributary of the Ganga, which forms confluence at Sirsa near Meja in the Prayagraj district. Tons River lies between latitude 24° 0^’ to 25° 16^’ 54^” North and longitude 80° 26^’ 45^” to 82° 04^’ 57^” East. It banks are lined by deep ravines and the bed is rocky. Agriculture and human settlements were the major land use category in its catchment. During study period 548 specimens of Cyprinus carpio were collected from February 2019 to January 2020 in fish landing centre at Sirsa from the lower stretch of the Tons River at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. Size composition (total length) varied from 97 to 687 mm. Drag net, cast net, gill net and hook and line were used by fishers/fishermen to catch the fishes in the river. A total of 548 fish samples (male and female) were collected and analyzed. The total length (mm) from the tip of snout to the end of caudal fin rays was measured by measuring scale. The obtained data from the river was classified into a series of size groups of 40 mm intervals. The number of samples calculated according to size group then converted into percentage.

Result and Discussion

Current exploitation pattern is systematic and healthy form with environmentally friendly sourcing of food. The size composition of C. carpio was varied from 97 mm to 687 mm of total length of fishes with majority between 251 to 290 mm from the lower stretch of the Tons River at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India (Figure 1). The large size of fishes also recorded in the Tons River in respect of river length. The maximum exploitation was recorded in 251 to 290 mm size group with 16.42%. Minimum exploitation was observed with 0.18% in 651-690 mm size group. Exploitation is an economic activity governed by social needs and pressures. Lower size groups 91-130 mm, 131-170 mm 171-210 mm, 211-250 mm and 251-290 mm were shared in exploited with 5.83%, 8.94%, 11.86%, 14.78% and 16.42%, respectively. Middle size groups 291-330 mm, 331-370 mm, 371-410, 411-450 mm and 451-490 mm were shared in exploitation 12.96%, 8.39%, 7.48%, 5.29% and 3.28%, respectively. Higher size groups 491-530 mm, 531-570 mm, 571-610 mm, 611-650 and 651-690 mm were contributed in exploitation with 2.19%, 1.28%, 0.73%, 0.36% and 0.18%, respectively (Figure 1). The lower size group was maximum exploited compared to middle and higher size groups from the lower stretch of the Tons River at Prayagraj. The experienced mature female fish stock was healthy in the river in monsoon season but very high fishing pressure we observed in this season. On the basis of data, it is observed that lower size group was maximum exploited with 57.83% at Prayagraj. Middle size group was exploited with 37.40%. Higher size group shared sizeable proportion with 4.74% in exploited population (Figure 2). The results also indicated that the exploitation was systematic in lower size group to higher size group. If exploitation is systematic then it is indication of healthy and heavy recruitment in near future. The over exploitation and non-targeted fishing is the biggest problem of riverine fishery [35-37]. The fishing pressure, mesh size, size of nets and fishing technique (example degree) are responsible for increasing or decreasing of total size of fishes and recruitment in the lotic ecosystems [14,38-42]. Fishing pressure changes the biodiversity, size composition, growth rate, age composition, sex ratio, income of fisher and maturation [43-45]. Non-native fishes are also changed selectivity of gear due to nature, dwelling behavior and ecological condition [28,46,47]. The growths of fishes are slightly checked by heavy metals accumulation in the body of fishes [48-50] (Insert Fig 1-2).

Figure 1: Size composition and exploitation pattern of C. carpio from the Tons River at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Figure 2: Exploitation pattern of C. carpio according to major group-wise from the Tons River at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Conclusion

It may be concluded that the present research work provides an important baseline study of this fish (Cyprinus carpio). Size composition indicated that the stock of C. carpio from the Tons River was in healthy condition and exploitation was also systematic form. Present condition was recorded due to sustainable exploitation of this species in the river. [20,51,52] stated that the when sustainably harvested or farmed, inland fish can be considered part of the green food movement for more environmentally friendly sourcing of food.

References

1. Imran S, Thakur S, Jha DN, Dwivedi AC (2015). Size composition and exploitation pattern of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton 1822) from the lower stretch of the Yamuna River. Asian Journal of Bio Science 10: 162-164.
2. Arlinghaus R, Lorenzen K, Johnson B M, Cooke S J and Cowx I (2015). Management of freshwater fisheries: addressing habitat, people and fishes. In: Freshwater fisheries ecology. edited by J. F. Craig. John Wiley & sons Ltd. 1st Ed., pg: 557- 579.
3. Dwivedi A C, Mishra A S, Mayank P and Tiwari A (2016). Persistence and structure of the fish assemblage from the Ganga River (Kanpur to Varanasi section), Journal of Geography and Natural Disasters 6.
4. Khan S, Dwivedi AC, Mayank P (2017). Size Composition and Exploitation Pattern of Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822) from the Ghaghara River, Journal of Scientific Achievements 2: 20-22.
5. Mayank P, Mishra N, Dwivedi AC (2021). Invasive potential of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the tributary of the Ganga River, Central India. Journal of Earth and Environmental Science Research.
6. Dwivedi AC (2006). Age structure of some commercially exploited fish stocks of the Ganga river system (Banda-Mirzapur section). Thesis submitted to Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, (Uttar Pradesh), Pp. 138.
7. Harting JH, Zarull MA, Ciborowski J, Gannon J, Wilke E, et al. (2009). Long-term ecosystem monitoring and assessment of the Detroit River and western lake Erie. Environ. Assess 158: 87-104.
8. Mishra N, Dwivedi A C and Mayank P (2021) Invasion potential, impact and population structure of non-native fish species, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) from the tributary of the Ganga River, Central India. Aquaculture and Fisheries Studies 3: 1-4.
9. Hering D, Aroviita J, Baattrup, Pedersen A, Brabec K, et al. (2015) Contrasting the roles of section length and instream habitat enhancement for river restoration success: a field study of 20 European restoration projects. Appl. Ecol.
10. Rizvi AF, Dwivedi AC, Singh KP (2010). Study on population dynamics of Labeo calbasu (Ham.), suggesting conservational methods for optimum yield. National Academy of Science Letter, 33: 247-253.
11. Dwivedi A, Mayank P, Tripathi S (2011) Size composition, exploitation structure and sex ratio of catfish, Rita rita (Hamilton) in the lower stretch of the Yamuna River at Allahabad. Flora and Fauna 17: 295-300.
12. Mayank P, Dwivedi AC (2015). Role of exotic carp, Cyprinus carpio and Oreochromis niloticus from the lower stretch of the Yamuna River. In: Advances in Biosciences and Technology In: Pandeya, AS. Mishra, RP Ojha and AK Singh published by NGB (DU), Allahabad, Pg: 93-97.
13. Nautiyal P, Dwivedi AC (2020) Growth rate determination of the endangered Mahseer, Tor tor (Hamilton 1822) from the Bundelkhand region, central India. Journal of Fisheries Research, 4: 7-11.
14. Gopesh A, Tripathi S, Joshi KD, Dwivedi AC (2021). Size composition, exploitation structure and sex ratio of Clupisoma garua (Hamilton) from middle stretch of the Ganga River at Allahabad, India. National Academy Science Letter 44: 309-311.
15. Gozlan RE, Britton JR, Cowx I, Copp GH (2010). Current knowledge on non-native freshwater fish introductions. Journal of Fish Biology 76: 751-786.
16. Jha DN, Joshi KD, Dwivedi AC, Mayank P, Kumar M, et al. (2015). Assessment of fish production potential of Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh. Journal of the Kalash Science 3: 7-10.
17. Dwivedi AC, Tiwari A, Mayank P (2018) Environmental pollution supports to constancy and invader potential of Cyprinus carpio and Oreochromis niloticus from the Ganga River, India. International Journal of Poultry and Fisheries Sciences 2: 1-7.
18. Dwivedi AC, Nautiyal P (2010) Population dynamics of important fishes in the Vindhyan region, India. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing GmbH & Co. KG, Dudweiler Landstr. 99, 66123 Saarbrucken, Germany, Pg: 220.
19. Mishra N, Dwivedi AC (2020) Environmental derivers supports to distribution, composition and biology of Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) in respect of time scale: A review. Journal of the Kalash Science 8: 91-102.
20. Lynch A J, Cooke S J, Deines A M, Bower S D, Bunnell D B, et al. (2016) The social, economic and environmental importance of inland fish and fisheries. Rev.
21. Dwivedi AC, Mayank P, Tiwari A (2016) The River as transformed by human activities: the rise of the invader potential of Cyprinus carpio and Oreochromis niloticus from the Yamuna River. Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change 7.
22. Tripathi S, Gopesh A, Dwivedi AC (2017). Framework and sustainable audit for the assessing of the Ganga River ecosystem health at Allahabad, India. Asian Journal of Environmental Science 12: 37-42.
23. Zambrano L, Martinez-Meyer E, Menezes N, Peterson AT (2006) Invasive potential of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in American freshwater systems. Canadian Journal of Fisheries Aquatic Sciences 63: 1903-1910.
24. Dwivedi AC, Mishra N (2021) Age structure of non-native fish species, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) from the tributary of the Ganga River, India. Journal of Aquaculture & Marine Biology 10: 76-79.
25. Tripathi S, Gopesh A, Dwivedi AC (2017) Fish and fisheries in the Ganga River: current assessment of the fish community, threats and restoration. Journal of Experimental Zoology, India, 20: 907-912.
26. Boll T, Levi EE, Bezirci G, Özuluğ M, Tavsanoğlu UN, et al. (2016) Fish assemblage and diversity in lakes of western and central Turkey: role of geo-climatic and other environmental variables. Hydrobiologia 771: 31-44.
27. Dwivedi AC, Mayank P, Tripathi S, Tiwari A (2017) Biodiversity: the non-natives species versus the natives species and ecosystem functioning. Journal of Biodiversity, Bioprospecting and Development 4.
    
28. Toussaint A, Beauchard O, Oberdorff T, Brosse S, Villeger S (2016) Worldwide freshwater fish homogenization is driven by a few widespread non-native species. Biological Invasions 18:1295-1304.
29. Mishra N, Dwivedi AC (2021). Age and growth of commercially exploited fish species, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the tributary of the Ganga River, India. Poultry Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences 9.
    
30. Lodge DM, Taylor CA, Holdich DM, Skurdal J (2000) Non indigenous crayfish threaten North America freshwater biodiversity: lessons from Europe. Fisheries 25: 7-20.
31. Dwivedi AC, Nautiyal P (2021). Age and growth increment of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton 1822) from the Vindhyan region, Central India. International Journal of Aquaculture and Fishery Science 7: 010-013.
32. Mayank P, Dwivedi AC, Mishra N (2021) Age pyramid of Common carp, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Tons River, India. Journal of the Kalash Science 9: 19-24.
33. Mishra N, Dwivedi A C and Mayank P (2021) Study on stock health of non-native fish species, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) through age pyramid from the tributary of the Ganga River, India. Journal of Aquaculture and Technical Development 4.
    
34. Brown LR (2000) Fish communities and their associations with environmental variables, lower San Joaquin River drainage, California. Environmental Biology of Fishes 57: 251-269.
35. Mayank P, Dwivedi AC (2016) Linking Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822) size composition and exploitation structure to their restoration in the Yamuna River, India. Asian Journal of Bio Science 11: 292-297.
36. Khan S, Dwivedi AC, Mishra P (2007) Sex ratio and exploitation structure of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) in the tributary of the Ganga River system (Ghaghara River). Bioved, 18: 7-12.
37. Nautiyal P, Dwivedi AC (2019) Fishery in the tributaries of Yamuna River (Ken River, Paisuni Rivers) and Ganga River (Tons River). Journal of Mountain Research 14: 19-36.
38. Dwivedi AC, Mayank P, Pathak RK (2016). Size composition and exploitation structure of Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822) from the Ganga River, India. Journal of Fisheries and Life Science 1: 30-32.
39. Dwivedi AC, Mayank P, Tiwari A (2017) Size selectivity of active fishing gear: changes in size, age and growth of Cirrhinus mrigala from the Ganga River, India. Fisheries and Aquaculture Journal 8.
    
40. Mayank P, Rizvi AF, Dwivedi AC (2017) Population dynamics of Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton 1822) from the largest tributary of the Ganga River, India. International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies 4: 42-47.
41. Mayank P, Dwivedi AC, Pathak RK (2018) Age, growth and age pyramid of exotic fish species Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus 1758) from the lower stretch of the Yamuna River, India. National Academy Science Letter, 41: 345-348.
42. Prakash S, Mayank P, Dwivedi AC, Mishra BK, Tiwari A, et al. (2019) Size structure and exploitation pattern of Rita rita (Hamilton 1822) in the Yamuna River at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Journal of the Kalash Science, 7: 21-24.
43. Arlinghaus R, Mastsumura S, Dieckmann U (2010) The conservation and fishery benefits of protecting large pike (Exos lucius) by harvesting regulations in recreational fishing. Biological Conservation 143: 1444-1459.
44. Dwivedi AC, Khan S, Mayank P (2017) Stressors altering the size and age of Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822) from the Ghaghara River, India. Oceanography Fish Open Access Journal 4.
    
45. Dwivedi AC, Nautiyal P (2012). Stock assessment of fish species, Labeo rohita, Tor tor and Labeo calbasu in the rivers of Vindhyan region, India. Journal of Environmental Biology 33: 261-264.
46. Mayank P, Dwivedi AC (2017) Resource use efficiency and invasive potential of non-native fish species, Oreochromis niloticus from the Paisuni River, India. Poultry Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences, 5.
    
47. Dwivedi AC, Mishra AS, Mayank P, Tripathi S, Tiwari A (2019) Resource use competence and invader potential of Cyprinus carpio from the Paisuni River at Bundelkhand region, India. Journal of Nehru Gram Bharati University 8: 20-29.
48. Tiwari A, Dwivedi AC (2014) Assessment of heavy metals bioaccumulation in alien fish species Cyprinus carpio from the Gomti River, India. European Journal of Experimental Biology 4: 112-117.
49. Tiwari A, Dwivedi AC, Mayank P (2016) Time scale changes in the water quality of the Ganga River, India and estimation of suitability for exotic and hardy fishes. Hydrology Current Research 7.
50. Dwivedi AC, Tiwari A, Mayank P (2015) Seasonal determination of heavy metals in muscle, gill and liver tissues of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the tributary of the Ganga River, India. Zoology and Ecology 25: 166-171.
51. Dwivedi AC, Jha DN, Mayank P (2014) Food security, livelihood and non-native fish species: status, trends and future perspectives. Journal of the Kalash Science 2: 41-46.
52. Neeti Mishra, Amitabh Chandra Dwivedi (2022). Reproductive properties and impacts of invasive alien species, Common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) from the Tons River at Prayagraj, India. Journal of the Kalash Science 10: 5-11.