
%0 Journal Article
%A Cowley, P. D. 
%A Whitfield, A. K. 
%T Fish population size estimates from a small intermittently open estuary in South Africa, based on mark-recapture techniques
%J Marine and Freshwater Research
%D 2001/05/23
%V 52
%N 3
%P 283-290
%K estuarine fish
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/MF99143
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/MF99143 
%X Population sizes of the migratory marine-spawning fishes in the small intermittently open East Kleinemonde Estuary (33&ordm;32&#8242;S, 27&ordm;03&#8242;E) were estimated during two independent mark&#8211;recapture studies between 1994 and 1996. Seines were used to sample fishes during the closed-mouth phase of the estuary. All individuals above a stipulated minimum size were marked by fin-clipping. Population estimates were obtained by use of two mark&#8211;recapture models (Schnabel and a maximum-likelihood estimator) and a derived method. The total population size was estimated at ~18 000 and ~133 000 individuals during the two study periods respectively. The large temporal (interannual) variability was ascribed to both abiotic (estuary mouth conditions) and biotic-conditions. The dominant species during both periods was Rhabdosargus holubi, which accounted for ~75% and ~80%of the total population of marine fishes in the estuary. The success of this species is attributed to an extended breeding season and the ability to recruit during mouth overwash events. 
