The composition of the fish and crustacean community of the Zeeschelde estuary (Belgium)

Fykes were used to monitor the fish and crustacean fauna of the mudflats of the Zeeschelde between April 1995 and December 1996. Overall 38 species were recorded; the number of species was greater in the brackish water part than in the fresh water part probably due to reduced oxygen concentrations in the upper reaches of the river. In terms of wet weight, just 6 species accounted for more than 96 \% of the total annual catch. These species are shore crab, eel, flounder, common shrimp, sole and bass. Clear seasonal patterns in the community structure were not identified. It is argued that the selectivity of the fishing gear is mainly responsible for the dominance of a few species and the lack of a temporal structure.