DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT Liangzi Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in Hubei Province and the eighth largest lake in China. It is located in the central Yangtze River drainage, which is categorized as a priority region for biodiversity conservation. The Lake is lies within an important fishery region, but research-based information about its freshwater fishes is very limited. We summarize and update the freshwater species list of fish in Liangzi Lake. Based upon our field investigations and literature review, there are 95 freshwater fish species belonging to 12 orders, 28 families and 61 genera in Liangzi Lake. In recent years, the fisheries resources have declined because of waterway disconnections, overfishing, habitats destruction and non-native species. To recover and sustain the fishery we recommend fishing bans, artificial propagation and stocking of native fish species, and the control and management of non-native species. This study is first to present the Lake’s fish fauna and provide some recommendations for the conservation of its fish biodiversity and the development of sustainable fisheries. We hope that this study provides a scientific basis and strategy for sustaining aquatic biodiversity conservation and for other large lakes in China.