by
D. Stephanou
Fisheries Officer
Department of Fisheries
Nicosia-Cyprus
I. FISHERY BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Angling in dams is gradually becoming more popular. In 1985 2,430 yearly angling licences were issued compared to 1707 in 1984. During this period 18 dams which are stocked with 18 species of fish, have a total capacity of 120,699×103m3 and cover an area of 630 ha were used for angling. The contribution of angling towards the recreational use of dams was accepted. The Cyprus Tourism Organization is covering the expenses for the provision of facilities to the anglers and general public, according to the suggestions of a governmental working group on the recreational use of dams of which the Dept. of Fisheries is an active member.
The highland dams were stocked yearly with about 18,000 of rainbow trout fingerlings for angling. Additional stocking of lowland dams was undertaken with warmwater species from small dams, which are used for the natural production of fingerlings for this purpose. The stocking of newly built large dams with broodstock of largemouth bass and carp proved a quick and efficient method for the creation of fishable stocks in a short period of time.
In October, 1984, 500 fingerlings of tench (Tinca tinca) were imported from Hungary to enrich the local ichthyofauna. The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii, imported from Singapore, gave a thriving population on a lowland dam, where it was introduced. Also the Pacifastacus leniusculus established a small population in at least one highland reservoir where they were stocked, after being hatched at Kalopanayiotis Experimental Station. The crayfish which are kept there failed, for the second year, to keep their eggs. This is attributed to the prevailing high water temperatures, while stocks of Pacifastacus, being kept in lower temperatures, in a private trout farm, develop normally. These will be used in an experiment aiming at the commercial exploitation of this species in intensive culture, under Cyprus conditions.
Small lowland dams were used by the Dept. of Fisheries for the production of goldfish, of mosquito fish and of common carp. All were distributed, at a later stage, to the public, to be used, respectively, for ornamental purposes, for mosquito control and against algal growth in irrigation ponds.
During 1984–1985 about 105,000 of tropical fish were imported, mainly from Singapore, for ornamental purposes.
II. FISH CULTURE AND DISEASES
There was a small increase in the production of trout, while seasonal shortages in the local market were noticed. The production of the governmental hatchery in eyed eggs, alevins, fingerlings and young trout was increased to face the increasing demand of the private sector (212,000 in 1984 and 384,000 in 1985).
The production of all-female trout was undertaken at the Experimental Station of Kalopanayiotis in an effort to improve the trout quality. By 1985 about 100,000 “all-female” fingerlings were produced and given for ongrowing to the public. Also carotinoids in fishfood were used effectively for the improvement of the fertility of the trout and to increase the viability of the offsprings.
The rearing of rainbow trout in brackish water, on small experimental scale by a private fishfarm, gave favourable results. The results are expected to be used for the production of larger quantities in the years to come during the autumn, winter and spring months, when the sea water temperature is suitable for the growing of trout.
Tilapia was, for the first time, produced and marketed in Cyprus. It is being kept and reared in brackish water.
A small experiment on the intensive rearing of elvers, imported from U.K., was undertaken in the Experimental Station of Kalopanayiotis and at a private marine fishfarm.
At the end of 1985 the experimental cage rearing of rainbow trout in a highland dam was undertaken, in order to test the suitability of higland dams for this use. This could help in overcoming the shortage of the availability of water for trout culture and contribute to the double use of water, while minimizing the costs of production.
III. FISH AND POLLUTED WATER.
The effluents of some fish farms were monitored, as well the water of the dam where the experimental cage culture of trout was undertaken.
Also some attempts were made for the stocking of the treated domestic effluents with goldfish, which gave positive results as regards viability and growth.
IV. PRODUCTION STATISTICS.
1. Rainbow trout
1984 1985
56t about 50
2. Tilapia
1985
1.5t
V. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES.
Demetropoulos, A., 1985 Annual Report on the Department of Fisheries and the Cyprus Fisheries for the year 1984. Dept. of Fisheries, Nicosia, Cyprus.
