Chinnababu Sanapala
A freshwater protected area is a designated portion of inland water that limits human activity. They were created to combat the decline of the world's flora and fauna. Some authors question their practical effectiveness in protecting endangered plant and animal species. We assessed the impact of conservation on fish communities. Selected data from two years of gillnets analyzed differences between low anthropogenic impact areas (LAI) and high anthropogenic impact areas (HAI) in terms of abundance, biomass, standard length and diversity index did. Three groups of fish have been found to prefer protected areas where anthropogenic pressure is low. Pike (Esox Lucius), catfish (Silurus glanis) and rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) were never seen in the HAI area. A larger specimen of Zander (Stizostedion lucioperca) that survived well in the LAI area. Several factors can affect his LAI, including illegal poaching and the use of bait to lure fish. Another possible factor is migration of fish for foraging or breeding as the LAI area is open to the reservoir. Areas of the LAI serve as protected habitats for frequently fished predatory fish species, increasing fish diversity. The example of protected areas and low-impact areas in Lipno should be followed in other waters with high fishing pressure and anthropogenic influence.
KeywordsAngling; Recreation pressure; Exploitation; CEN gillnets; Recreation fishing
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