Composition and structure of the mangrove fish and crustacean communities of Vanga Bay, Kenya

Mangroves support coastal fisheries, particularly by providing nurseries for juvenile fish. However, much remains unknown about the fish and crustacean communities in mangroves lifecycles behaviours of individual species. This study is first to describe Vanga mangrove ecosystem, largest forest most important marine fisheries landing site southern Kenya. Using fyke nets, 14 creek sites were sampled once every 3 months during spring tides, between September 2015 2017. The sampling period covered north east (NEM) south (SEM) monsoon seasons. A total 1,879 fishes 1,132 crustaceans caught, represented 59 16 species, respectively. Over 95 % caught juveniles with 50 both species being commercial importance. About 70 catch was dominated only 6 Yarica hyalosoma Acropoma japonicum contributing 44 abundance. Penaeus semisulcatus indicus crustaceans. Fish abundances differed significantly seasons, SEM catches almost three times higher than those NEM, while displayed no clear seasonality. documents time confirms their importance as habitat near nursery emphasizes need conservation seaward edges