Population Dynamics and Management of Goldlined Seabream Rhabdosargus sarba (Sparidae) from the Oman Coast of Arabian Sea

Sf Mehanna Fr Al-Kiyumi,L Al-Kharusi

doi:10.4172/2150-3508.1000040

Abstract

Rhabdosargus sarba is one of the most important coastal demersal species inhabiting Omani waters. An estimate of the age and growth of R. sarba ranging from 15 to 43.2 cm total length collected from the Omani waters is made by examining the growth increment of their whole otoliths. The growth rings showed that R. sarba rarely attain more than six years. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were K = 0.33 yr-1, L∞ = 46.97 cm and to = -0.83 yr. The mean total mortality coefficient Z estimated by two different methods was 1.8 yr-1. The geometric mean of natural mortality coefficient M was 0.6 yr-1. Exploitation rate E was computed as 0.67, while the length at first capture was 22.9 cm. The yield per recruit analysis showed that the stock of R. sarba in the Arabian Sea is overexploited and the exploitation rate should be reduced by about 47% to maintain a sufficient stock biomass for spawning and recruitment as well as the length at first capture should be raised to about 30 cm.

Highlights

Sparid fishes are an important component of both artisanal and industrial fisheries in the Omani waters
In spite of the economic importance of goldlined seabream, information on its biology and dynamics are very rare and the present paper reports the first study on its age, growth, mortality rates and yield per recruit in Omani waters
Age and growth of fishes are of vital importance in the field of fisheries management

Summary

Introduction

Sparid fishes are an important component of both artisanal and industrial fisheries in the Omani waters. The mean annual total catch during the last 10 years was about 7400 tons which constitutes 18% of the total demersal species catch and forming about 10 million Omani Riyal annually (Annual statistical books, 2010) They are represented by at least 13 species from which Rhabdosargus sarba is one of the most abundant species in Oman. In spite of the economic importance of goldlined seabream, information on its biology and dynamics are very rare and the present paper reports the first study on its age, growth, mortality rates and yield per recruit in Omani waters. These parameters will help in design a management plan for its rational exploitation in Oman

Methods

Results and Discussion

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