This work aims to investigate freshwater fish exploitation status in three Tunisian reservoirs: Siliana, Lahjar and Kasseb associated with the examination of progress in the zoo-sanitary registration. Three types of operators at these reservoirs were identified: a promoter, a fishery development group, and independent fishermen. The only operator who has all the required documents for the zoo-sanitary registration, is the promoter operating at Lahjar Reservoir. The SWOT analysis applied to Siliana, Lahjar and Kasseb reservoirs allowed us to highlight the differences between the three modes of exploitation and to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Along with these findings, the analysis revealed factors that may directly or indirectly affect the reservoirs and made it possible to elaborate new perspectives which would help improve the inland fish farming sector in Tunisia.

Mullet is the most heavily fished species in Tunisia, accounting for one-third of the freshwater fish harvest. To ensure the continuity and development of fisheries in the country, Tunisian reservoirs have been stocked with Mugilidae fry collected from coastal and estuarine areas. The quantities of fry introduced and mullet landings were correlated. To determine the spatial distribution and abundance of mullets in these fisheries, a multi-mesh gillnet was used in 10 reservoirs. The results showed a weak global correlation between the fry introduced and mullet landings, while the correlation of these variables in each reservoir separately revealed a high correlation in all the reservoirs, except for Ghezala reservoir. The fishing survey revealed that the numerical yield varied significantly from one reservoir to another. Sidi Saad reservoir recorded the highest yield of mullet (196.52 fish/1000 m2 of nets), while a lower yield was recorded in Lahjar, Seliana, Mellegue, Laabid, Ghezala, Bezirekh, Bouheurtma, Sidi Salem, and Sidi Barrak reservoirs. The harvested mullets’ sizes ranged from 14 to 65 cm, indicating good growth conditions in the Tunisian reservoirs. Our findings demonstrate a high potential for mullet production in the country; therefore, we recommend the sustainable development of this sector.