Assessment of Small‐Meshed Gillnets for Sustainable Fisheries in the Chobe River, Namibia

ABSTRACT Small‐meshed gillnets are restricted by the regulatory framework of the Namibian Inland Fisheries Act of 2003. This is mainly because smaller meshed nets are presumably selective towards juveniles of the large‐growing cichlid species. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the impacts of smaller meshed gillnets (<73 mm) on the fish stocks of the Zambezi/Chobe River. Experimental gillnet surveys, using variable mesh sizes of 25, 38, 51 and 64 mm, were conducted from October 2024 to September 2025. The most dominant species by Index of Relative Importance (IRI) were non‐cichlids such as the squeaker ( Synodontis spp.—28.6%IRI), tigerfish ( Hydrocynus vittatus —25.6%IRI), silver catfish ( Schilbe intermedius —27.2%IRI) and the Zambezi bulldog ( Marcusenius altisambesi —6.5%IRI). Individual catch rates of these species varied significantly among the mesh sizes ( p  < 0.05). Mesh sizes 38 and 51 mm were relatively more efficient among other mesh sizes. However, smaller meshed gillnets of 25, 38, 51 and 64 mm showed a higher selection for juvenile H. vittatus , raising a concern of growth overfishing. Capturing immature H. vittatus could compromise their breeding and recruitment success. In light of these findings, the study cautions against the adoption of smaller mesh‐sized gillnets as an anticipated strategy to target for smaller growing species in the Chobe River. Maintaining restrictions on these gears is critical to ensure sustainable recruitment and a viable population of commercially and ecologically important species, such as H. vittatus .