Abstract
Evaluation of Rhabdosargus sarba caught from South Arabian Gulf of the United Arab Emirates was investigated using a combination of size frequency and biological data. Forked length ranged between 14.0 and 39.0cm. Length-weight relationship for combined sexes of R. sarba was estimated as W=0.0338*L2.7807. The spawning season of R. sarba was over a limit time period from November to February and the peaks were in January and February for males and females respectively. The overall sex ratio throughout the study period was 1:1.4 males to females, which was not significantly different from 1:1. The size and age at 50% sexual maturity was 22.01cm FL and 2.39years. The FiSAT II software was used to perform the estimate of growth, mortality and exploitation rate. Parameter values of asymptotic length L∞ and growth coefficient K were 41.94cm FL and 0.25y-1 respectively. Age at length zero to was estimated by substituting the asymptotic length and growth coefficient in Pauly’s equation. Instantaneous rate of total and natural mortalities were estimated as 1.09, 0.66 y-1 respectively. The length at first capture was obtained as 19.51cm that was smaller than the length at first sexual maturity. The rate of fishing mortality (F=0.43y-1) is higher than the optimum level (Fopt =0.33y-1) and was close to limit (Flimit =0.44yr-1) biological reference point, indicated that the resource is slightly over-exploited. Results also indicated that the reduction of current level of fishing mortality to optimum level will lead to reduction of exploitation rate by 23.08%.
Highlights
Rhabdosargus sarba (Forsskål, 1775) is a fish belonging to family Sparidae, commonly known as seabream that is common in tropical and subtropical inshore waters throughout the Indo-West Pacific including the Red Sea, East Africa, Madagascar, Australia, China and Japan[1, 2]
Sparid fishes are an important component of both small-scale fisheries and industrial fisheries in the Omani waters of the Arabian Sea [5], whilst hand lining is the main method used to catch R. sarba in the southern Arabian Gulf off the coast of the Emirates of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates [6]
This paper provides information on biology and stock status of one of the key species in the United Arab Emirates R. sarba locally called (Gabit)
Summary
Rhabdosargus sarba (Forsskål, 1775) is a fish belonging to family Sparidae, commonly known as seabream that is common in tropical and subtropical inshore waters throughout the Indo-West Pacific including the Red Sea, East Africa, Madagascar, Australia, China and Japan[1, 2]. Despite the importance and widespread occurrence of R. sarba, little information about its population biology and stock assessment in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman [5, 6, 9, 10]. In this context, the aim of this study is an attempt to understand various population biology and stock status in order to provide scientific information for management purpose of R. sarba in the United Arab Emirates.
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