Population Dynamics and Assessment of the Snubnose Emperor Lethrinus borbonicus (L. bungus) from the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||
| Article 35, Volume 27, Issue 3, May and June 2023, Pages 643-654 PDF (548.05 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2023.305278 | ||
| Author | ||
| Sahar F. Mehanna | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Knowledge about the life history of exploited species is fundamental to improving fisheries management. The population dynamics and status of the snubnose emperor (Lethrinus borbonicus) in the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt were assessed using the size at-age data. The whole sagittal otoliths were characterized by alternating translucent and opaque bands that were validated as annuli. Comparisons of age and growth characteristics recorded no significant differences (P>0.05) between the sexes. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for pooled data were K= 0.476/year, L∞= 35.80 cm TL and t0= -0.23 year. The mean size at which the fish attained sexual maturity for L. borbonicus was 20.75 cm TL. The mean size at first capture was 24.05 cm, which was greater than the size at first sexual maturity indicating the healthy status of L. borbonicus stock in the Gulf of Aqaba. The fishing mortality rate for L. borbonicus (0.70/yr) was substantially greater than the target Fopt (0.36/yr) and limit Flimit (0.48/yr) estimates. The snubnose emperor stock was in its optimum situation as the current exploitation rate was 0.49/yr. The results of the study are important to fisheries management authorities in the region since they will contribute to planning the regional fishery management policies in Egypt. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Gulf of Aqaba; Emperor; lethrinids; Life history; Demographic structure; Fisheries management | ||
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