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The genus Serrasentis is one of important acanthocephalan parasites, parasitizing fish, birds and other vertebrates. Twenty two out of 500 fish specimens (4.4%) were found to be naturally infected with adult and cyst of worms of Serrasentis sp. which were collected from the stomach and intestine of Synaptura orientalis ; Johnius belangrii , Otolithus ruber and Upeneus sulphureus fish species', from locations of Khor Abdullah, Arabian Gulf, Iraqi marine waters (29°58,33, N48°28, 20E) during the year 2017.The light and SEM study revealed that the adult worm have elongated and cylindrical body, anterior extremity with hooks forming combs arranged on the ventral and lateral region, longitudinally curved U-shaped, the Proboscis are claviform in shape and the measurement are equal to 0.54 long to 0.28 width, with 22-26 rows of 14-18 hooks, hooks thicker in ventral than dorsal parts, decreasing in size from the apex to the base. Proboscis receptacle with a thick double wall. The cross examination of Upeneus sulphureus fish intestines and food items containing revealed that are consists of different species of amphipods, and crustaceans, The present finding species are compared morphologically with some of the previously recorded species isolated from different host species, which revealed that the present species should be classified as Serrasentis sp. with a new host record in Upeneus sulphureus fishes.

Hysterothylacium is one of the most important nematode parasites parasitizing fish, and it's the most diverse species nematodes of marine parasites, these species attach to the intestinal wall via their mouth lips adaptation. In the present study, seven out of 56 fish specimens (12.5 %) were found to be infected by the adult worms of Greasy grouper fishes Orangespotted grouper Epinephelus coioides (Forsskal, 1775)from locations of marine coastal water, Arabian Gulf, Iraq. A new recorded of Hysterothylacium spp. collected are morphologically described, genetically and Sccaning Electron Microscope (SEM) images for new systematic observations, on dorsal labium, sub ventral labia, posterior end of a the female and the male. Based on the study of the gene sequencer data and SEM images, it will be suggested that species are H. persicum. The study provides us some data on the taxonomy of these parasites in the Arabian Gulf. The gross examination of the fish's intestine food items and the Relationships of fish length, In this study showing that the length ranges for adult infected were 25-45 cm long, and the major food items found in the stomach were a Largest group of miscellaneous of fishes length more than 25 cm , whereas crustaceans miscellaneous parts of animal body, i.e. appendages, chela, parts of the carapace of crustaceans were found in stomachs in all the month including except some of them in stomach of length less than 20 cm , it was clear that the 25-45cm ctotal length feed mainly on fish that explain fishes are the second intermediate host of IV larval stage of nematodes. In the present reported can consider that the Epinephelus coioides as a new host for Hysterothylacium persicum and a newly recorded in Iraqi marine water . The aim of the current study is to diagnose and study new species of parasites that belong to the genus throughout the morphological studies along with the image data selected for SEM and sequence and combined with the other species of Hysterothylacium that reside in the Iraqi marine water and the relationships of fish length, food items and parasite infection.

The status of the sulphur goatfish Upeneus sulphureus Cuvier, 1829 population in the Iraqi marine waters, north-west of the Arabian Gulf was assessed using FiSAT program from March 2007 to September 2008. A total of 7574 specimens of U. sulphureus were collected by trawl net, their lengths ranged from 5 to 17cm. Length-weight relationship was W = 0.0621 L3.0125. The growth parameters estimated were L∞= 18.85cm and K= 0.72. The growth performance index (ø) of the species was computed as 2.36. Total mortality rate (Z) was computed as 2.43, natural mortality rate (M) was 1.85, fishing mortality rate (F) was 0.58 and the exploitation ratio was 0.32. The values of F and E of U. sulphureus obtained in the present study were lower than those recorded for the same species in the previous studies, whereas the population of the species exposed to higher natural mortality rate. The results indicated that the present levels of E and F were lower than those of the maximum (Y/R)'.

For a long time the Iraqi regional waters of north-west Arabian Gulf were classified as free of seagrasses due to the absence of the information concerning these important angiosperms. During the survey carried out by scientist of the Marine Science Center and German divers in 2013-2014 to study the Coral reefs distribution and occurrence in this area, the divers with the help of underwater camera caught photos indicates the existence of seagrass meadows in different places of the north-west Arabian Gulf, so the efforts were made to examine this issue and a work were carried out in April 2017 to study the existence, species composition, occurrences and distribution of seagrass species in the Iraqi marine waters of the north-west Arabian Gulf for the first time. Six sites were chosen distributed along the north-west of Arabian Gulf where the depth was ranging from 0.5 to 15.0 m. Six meadows of seagrass were identified, classified, mapped and seagrass diversity and abundance were investigated. Four species of seagrass namely Halophila stipulacea (Forsskal) Ascherson, Halophila ovalis (R. Brown) Hooker f., Halophila decipiens Ostenfeld and Halodule uninervis (Forsskal) were recorded for the first time in Iraq. Halophila decipiens Ostenfeld was recorded as a new to the whole area of the Arabian Gulf and the Iraqi marine waters and found at a depth of 12-15 m. Halodule uninervis was found to be the most dominant species at all the studied sites followed by Halophila stipulacea. The total seagrass area estimated at all the stations was about 678 hectare fluctuated at different stations. Higher Seagrass total coverage area (240 ha) was found at shallower waters (0.5-3.0 m) compared with 60 ha at deeper waters (12-15 m). The exposed locations showed low seagrass coverage of 35 % comparing with sheltered sites (65 %). The relationship between depth and total coverage of seagrass was significant, while it was not significant with sites. Highest richness value was found in the Alkheran area (Khor Al-Zubair) at a depth of 0.5 m. The relative evenness of the seagrasses species, with different depths showed that the depth 0-3 m has the highest value. The distribution of seagrasses in Khor Al-Zubair and Khor Abdullah down to the open area of Khor Al-Omaya was mapped by using the GIS and Arc Map version 10.5 applications.

The composition of fish assemblages in Iraqi marine water was assessed. 91 species belonging to 71 genes and 47 families of Osteichthyes and 13 species of Conderchthyes were collected during the study period from January to December 2018, using trawl net fishing. Three stations were selected, where two new species (Siganus javus and Gobiopsis sp.) and reclassification of Torpedo panthera where identified and two species of freshwater fish (Oreochromis niloticus and Oreochromis aureus) were first recorded in marine waters. The highest numbers of species were 32 and 42 for the first and second stations, respectively, recorded in October , while 55 species were recorded in the third station during August. Leiognathus bindus was the dominant species in the first and second stations, while Ilisha compressa dominated the third station. Carangidae and Sciaenidae were the dominant families in number of species (7 and 5, respectively), whereas 4 species were recorded for Clupeidae, Sparidae, Mugilidae and Gobidiae.

The study described some biological characteristics of four commercially important fish species in Iraqi marine waters including Planiliza klunzengeri, P. subviridis, Acanthopagrus arabicus and Otolithes ruber from February 2020 to January 2021. The length and weight of individual fish caught were measured. The length-weight relationships were W= 0.027L2.715 for P. klunzengeri, W= 0.034L2.670 for P. subviridis, W= 0.030L2.867 for A. arabicus and W= 0.023L2.755 for O. ruber, and all species indicated negative allometric growth. The lower values of the relative condition factor (Kn) were found at the mid-lengths of P. klunzingeri and P. subviridis, and the large individuals for A. arabicus and O. ruber. Scales were used for age determination and measurements, and the back-calculated lengths-at-ages were calculated using the body proportional formula. Asymptotic total lengths (L∞) estimated were 29.6, 32.8, 44.9 and 70.6 cm for P. klunzengeri, P. subviridis, A. arabicus and O. ruber, respectively. These results could assist in fisheries management for the sustainable exploitation of these commercially important species in Iraqi marine waters.

A total of 9772 fish specimens were collected, including 91 species of bony fishes in the Shatt Al-Arab estuary and Iraqi marine waters, belonging to 72 genera and representing 48 families from January 2018 to December 2018 in three selected stations. The Estuarine Biological Integrity Index (EBI) was calculated in the current study through 13 units that included species richness units, fish community composition, and trophic guild units. The total Estuarine Biological Integrity Index (EBI) value reached 48.5, 55.9, and 57.4 for the three study stations. It was included in the impaired and marginally impaired evaluation in the different months within the study stations. The highest value of the index reached 71.42 in July at the Iraqi marine waters. It is evaluated as the marginally impaired category, and its lowest value was 41.47 in March at the Shatt Al-Arab estuary where it is assessed as the impaired category. The average total index value reached 55.61 and it is evaluated as in the impaired evaluation.

The new record of Pomadasys commersonnii (Lacepede, 1801) and second appearance of Pomadasys aheneus McKay & Randall, 1995 are reported from the Iraqi marine waters, northwest of the Arabian Gulf. Total length of P. aheneus was 200 mm, while the total length of P. commersonnii was 240 mm. The Yellowback grunt ( P. aheneus ) could be distinguished by the brassy color on nape, anterior part of back, and upper sides, dorsal fin with 13 spines and 14 soft rays and pectoral fin with 13 rays. Whilst The Smallspotted grunter ( P. Commersonnii ) characterized by the body is relatively elongate, the color is silvery with small black spots on upper of body and Dorsal fin with 11 spines and 13 soft rays.

A total of 14 specimens of Cobia Rachycentron canadum (L.) were caught from Iraqi marine waters during the period from October 2019 till May 2020. Two parasitic helminths (One species each of nematode and acanthocephalan) were isolated from alimentary canal of the cobia. These are the adults of Iheringascaris inquies (Linton, 1901) Deardorff & Overstreet, 1980 and Serrasentis sagittifer Linton, 1889. The record of these worms, from this fish, is considered as the first record in Iraq. Adequate description of both I. inquies and adult S. sagittifer from cobia for the first time in the Arabian Gulf is given.

Ten blue swimming crabs Portunus segnis (Forskal, 1775) were collected from the north west of the Arabian Gulf off the Iraqi marine waters from October to November 2017 at 29ᵒ 37′ N to 48ᵒ 47′ E. The barnacle Octolasmis angulata (Aurivillius, 1894) was found on the gills of the present species of crab, the mean incidence of infestation was 30%, while the mean Intensity of infestation was 12.3. The barnacle have a long and slim shaped calcareous plate with the presence of carina and the absence of tergum, in addition to the elongated shape of carina and scutum. The current study represents the first record of the barnacle O. angulata in the Arabian Gulf.

This study presents the initial stock assessment of the green tiger shrimp, Penaeus semisulcatus De Haan, one of the most productive fisheries in Iraqi marine waters. The growth, mortality, recruitment, yield-per-recruit, and virtual population analysis (VPA) of P. semisulcatus in Iraqi marine waters in the northwest Arabian Gulf were studied from November 2022 to October 2023, to manage and conserve the population of this species. Total length-frequency data of 2,394 specimens of P. semisulcatus were analyzed using the FiSAT II software. The length-weight relationship was W= 0.0044TL3.208, indicating an isometric growth pattern. The asymptotic length (L∞) and growth rate (K) were 28.7 cm and 0.50 respectively. Total, natural and fishing mortalities were 2.81, 1.01 and 1.80, respectively. The current exploitation rate (Ecur) was 0.64. Recruitment continued throughout the year with one major peak in May. Length at first capture Lc50 (15.1 cm) was higher than length at first maturity Lm50 (14.5 cm), indicating that they may be vulnerable to capture by the available fishing gear after they mature. VPA results show that most of the catches of the individuals occurred at mid-lengths of 17-23 cm, and the maximum fishing mortality was at a length of 21 cm. The yield per recruit analysis shows that the current exploitation rate (Ecur) was below the biological target reference points (E0.1 and Emax), indicating that the stock of P. semisulcatus is being exploited rationally. To promote sustainable management, shrimp nursery grounds should identify for protection, and update the law regulating the exploitation and protection of aquatic life to regulate fishing in Iraqi marine waters.

This study presents the initial stock assessment of the green tiger shrimp, Penaeus semisulcatus De Haan, one of the most productive fisheries in Iraqi marine waters. The growth, mortality, recruitment, yield-per-recruit, and virtual population analysis (VPA) of P. semisulcatus in Iraqi marine waters in the northwest Arabian Gulf were studied from November 2022 to October 2023, to manage and conserve the population of this species. Total length-frequency data of 2,394 specimens of P. semisulcatus were analyzed using the FiSAT II software. The length-weight relationship was W= 0.0044TL3.208, indicating an isometric growth pattern. The asymptotic length (L∞) and growth rate (K) were 28.7 cm and 0.50 respectively. Total, natural and fishing mortalities were 2.81, 1.01 and 1.80, respectively. The current exploitation rate (Ecur) was 0.64. Recruitment continued throughout the year with one major peak in May. Length at first capture Lc50 (15.1 cm) was higher than length at first maturity Lm50 (14.5 cm), indicating that they may be vulnerable to capture by the available fishing gear after they mature. VPA results show that most of the catches of the individuals occurred at mid-lengths of 17-23 cm, and the maximum fishing mortality was at a length of 21 cm. The yield per recruit analysis shows that the current exploitation rate (Ecur) was below the biological target reference points (E0.1 and Emax), indicating that the stock of P. semisulcatus is being exploited rationally. To promote sustainable management, shrimp nursery grounds should be identified for protection, and the law regulating the exploitation and protection of aquatic life to regulate fishing in Iraqi marine waters should be updated.

Some reproductive characters of Himantura walga (Müller, 1841)male were studied. The fish were caught from the Iraqi marine waters in the northwest of the Arabian Gulf during the period from January to December 2017. Samples were obtained by fishing boats in the Iraqi marine waters, and 102 males were collected by trawls. The gonadal somatic index was studied in males and were highest in May and September (10.048 , 9.97) respectively, and it decreased in the months February, July, and August (0.452 , 0.654, and 0.664) respectively, the results showed that there were four groups of disk width, the male clasper was also dissected as well as the canal or siphon. The appearance of matures males was observed in May and September, indicating the existence of breeding periods for the studied fish. The relationship between body weight and the disc width of the fish were estimated by formula: T W= 0.00031× (DW) 2.595 as well as the length of the clasper and the disk width of the studied fish.

Over the past two decades, the Arabian oil-rich Gulf countries have faced enormous social, political, economic, cultural, religious, ideological and epistemological upheaval. Through detailed, critical comparative investigation, Neoliberalism and English Language Education Policies in the Arabian Gulf examines the impact of such disruption on education policies in a political and economic union, consisting of six countries: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. Using data collected from a wide range of sources, this thought-provoking book documents the inner workings of neoliberalism across a strategic geographical area of the Islamic world. The book teases apart the complex issues surrounding the ways in which access to English has been envisioned, contested, and protected from being challenged among different players within and between the Gulf countries. Osman Z. Barnawi explores the intensifying ideological debates between Islamic culture and Western neoliberal values, and questions whether Islamic values and traditions have been successfully harmonised with neoliberal capitalist development strategies for nation building in the Arabian Gulf region. Neoliberalism and English Language Education Policies in the Arabian Gulf will be of interest to academics, researchers and postgraduates working in the fields of language education and, more specifically, TESOL, applied linguistics, education policy, and teacher education.

The rich and diverse fish resources of Oman constitute its main natural resource after oil and natural gas. A total of 1142 species were identified, distributed among 520 genera and 164 families. Most of these are marine with broad geographical distribution; only four are freshwater species (Cyprinion micropthalmum, Garra barreimie, G. longispinnis, and Oreochromis aureus). The ichthyofauna of Oman is characterized by large number of species in 21 families, comprising 92.6% of the estimated total number of marine families of the whole Indo‐Pacific region, and 49.9% of the worldís marine families. The Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman are more diverse in fish species (‐1000 fish species) than the Arabian Gulf (> 500 fish species). More than 400 species are demersal, 511 species inhabit coral reefs and coastal lagoons, two are mesopelagic species, and the remainder are pelagic (157), bathypelagic (30), and bathydemersa] (7 species). Current fishing effort levels on some target species are either close to maximum sustainable yield or exceed it. A shift in species composition has resulted in declining landings of some high value fishes. A pilot aquaculture program has just started with the introduction of sea bream, Sparus aurata and tilapia Oreochromis aureus. Fisheries management is hampered by lack of appropriate management regulations, enforcement, and data on most stocks. Coastal habitats are being threatened by both natural and man‐made impacts. Fisheries research programmes are directed to fish taxonomy, ecology, biology, and stock assessment of some commercially important species. An extensive fish database and reference collection are currently being established at Fisheries Science and Technology Department, Sultan Qaboos University. Local human resources are needed to support the rational development and management of fishery resources.