What is it about?
Evidence is provided of temporary connections between the Kunene river tributaries and those of adjacent Cuvelai enabling spawning and distribution migrations of fish that then populate the temporary Cuvelai iishana.
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Why is it important?
The sudden presence of fish in the previously dry iishana of the Cuvelai could not be explained assuming downstream mass migration from more permanent upper reaches of the Cuvelai. Local knowledge that fish originate in the Cunene catchment, was previously ignored but when detailed geomorphological analysis was undertaken, temporary surface connections between upper tributaries of adjacent Kunene and Cuvelai Rivers was demonstrated, enabling mass fish migrations to populate the western iishana of the Cuvelai.
Perspectives
This is an exciting subject, bringing local wisdom, geographers and fisheries scientists together to solve the riddle of the origin and migration of fish down the iishana of the Cuvelai into a densely populated area where the fish are intensively harvested. Many questions remain to be followed up. This will all add in understanding dynamic system on which more than half a million people depend. Follow up studies are urgently required.
ben van der waal
University of Venda
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Sources of fish in the ephemeral western iishana region of the Cuvelai–Etosha Basin in Angola and Namibia, African Journal of Aquatic Science, September 2018, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.2989/16085914.2018.1506310.
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