The Biology of the Mullets (Pisces : Mugilidae) of the Kenyan Coast

Mullets form a major component of the marine pelagic fishery in Kenya. They are mainly landed by artisanal fishers who operate within the territorial waters. Harvesting is mainly by the use of gill and cast nets. They are phytophagous, are estuarine dependent, hence provide food & income for fishers. They also form part of the marine food chain by being consumed by piscivorous fishes and birds. In some parts of the world, they are cultured in ponds within the mangroves. This book is the result of the study of the mullets of Kilifi creek where four sampling sites in the northern arm and other four sampling sites in the southern arm were chosen. Emphasis of the book is on Fishery species composition of Kilifi creek, Mugilidae species composition, growth parameters and reproductive biology which includes sex ratios, maturity stages, minimum size at sexual maturity, Gonadosomatic index and fecundity.