THE JUVENILE FISH POPULATION IN THE MARGINAL AREAS OF THE HENDRIK VERWOERD DAM

Abstract

Small seine nets were used to collect minnow and juvenile fish from a variety of habitats around the 350 km shoreline of the Hendrik Verwoerd Darn. In addition several areas were sectioned off from the darn and poisoned. The species and length compositions are discussed and correlated to habitat types. These surveys indicate that the important nursery areas in the darn are inflowing spruits, sheltered areas in eroded gullies and flooded vegetation.