Biological characteristics and determination of population dynamic parameters of Sphyraena jello in the coastal waters of Province Bushehr- Persian Gulf

Sphyraena jello, Pick handle Barracuda, is amongst the highly valuable and main commercial fisheries resources in the southern waters of Iran. Given such an economically significant position, this study, being conducted in 2006-2007, attempts to investigate its biological habit and characteristics in Iran’s water of the Persian Gulf. For the sampling purpose, three major landings namely Bushehr, Deylam and Genaveh were selected to obtain samples from commercial catches. The sampling is composed of 655 males and 515 females during a twelve month period. By studying the feeding through the counting method, it is revealed that, Liza subviridis characterized by %42.8 and Sepia pharaonis by %8.4 made the highest and lowest stomach content respectively. The findings showed that male fish in smaller size will mature sooner than females’ specimen but this gender ratio or proportion was not significantly different except during October and September. Such a difference between male and female in different months could be originated from longer residing of female group in spawning ground compared to male group. The previous spawning lasted during September –October, and there was a peak of spawning in feeding in August. The lowest fat proportion for both male and female genders was reported 0.10 and 0.11 respectively in October; but the highest level of condition factor was reported to be 0.59 and 0.63 during November and June.

The study of biological characteristic and population dynamic of Caspian vimba (Vimba vimba persa), in coastal waters of Caspian Sea (Mazandaran Province)

This study was conducted to determine reproduction characteristics, diet regime, age structure and population dynamics parameters of the vimba vimba persa (Pallas, 1811) in Mazandaran waters of the Caspian Sea, from October 2008 to September 2009. A total of 994 specimens were monthly collected by beach seine and cast net from six fish landings of Ramsar, Tonekabon, Chaloos, Mahmood Abad, Sari and Behshahr. Biometric characters were measured for each specimen at the laboratory. Scales were used for age determination. Sex determination and fecundity were determined. Population dynamic parameters as well as stock assessment including cohort analysis were estimated using FISAT software. The finding showed that the mean of fork length and body weight of the Caspian Vimba were 168.4±2.6 mm and 71.94±32.24 g respectively. Strong correlation was found between these two variables (a= 0.012; b = 3.047; r2 = 0.955). 92 specimens were studied from the fecundity point of view. This species was found to have more abundance in spring (esp. Apr-May). The samples composed of 397(42.6%) male, 537(57.4%) female; Overall sex ratio (M: F =1: 1.35) was significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio (p ≤0.05). The advanced stages of maturity (4th & 5th) were found in April and May. The highest Gonadosomatic Index in female was in May and the lowest one was in July. This fish is therefore a spring spawner. The maximum absolute and relative fecundities were 34640 and 260.9, respectively; the minimum absolute and relative fecundities were 5400 and 94.5 respectively. The averages of absolute and relative fecundities were 17198±7710 and 171.85±48.8, respectively. Coefficient vacuity index was 59.2% which indicates that this fish is mesophagous. Among of living creature consumes by Caspian Vimba mollusks, 76 arthropods, worms, plants, detritus and fishes were found 32.9% , 26.7% , 13.4% , 17% , 4.4% and 1.6% respectively. The infinite fork lengths were 261 mm for females, 25mm for males and 261 mm for both sexes respectively. For population growth and mortality parameters; K ( 0.28 per year for both sexes, 0.3 per year for males, 0.33 per year for females); t0 ( -0.65 year for both sexes, -0.23 year in females, -0.51 year in males ); Φ' ( 2.28 ); Z ( 0.98 per year ); M ( 0.59 per year); F ( 0.39 per year) and Exploitation coefficient was 0.4. The analysis showed that total biomass and MSY were 1336 and 528.8 tonnes respectively.

Evaluation of some biological indices and population dynamic of "Saurida tumbil" in the northern Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

The Great lizardfish is one of the commercial demersal fishes in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. In this study the food preference index (FPI), Fullness index (FI) and stomach contents of Saurida tumbil were evaluated to assess the quantity and kind of food which this species consumes in the study area. The samples were collected monthly from commercial bottom trawl fisheries in main fishing grounds of eastern Strait of Hormuz. A total of 346 specimens were collected during years 2009-2010 of which 269 specimens were female and 77 specimens were male. The minimum and maximum total length were 161 and 590 mm, respectively with the highest frequency in length group of 350-370mm. Results showed that 20.9% of stomachs were full, 18.9% were semi-full and 60.2% were empty. The main stomach contents (FPI=80.2%) were fishes and minor stomach contents (FPI=25.7%) were crustacean (Specially crab and shrimp) and cephalopods were found as random food. The minimum and maximum FIs were 2.5 and 42.5 in December and September respectively; and the overall CV was 60.2. The results indicate that this fish is a relatively frugal species which consumes fishes as main food and there is no difference in feeding of male and female.

Recognizing of Ichthyophon and investigation of feeding and effects of water temperature, salinity and electrical conductivity on the population dynamic of Barbus grypus in the Dalaki and Helle river

This study was carried out for recognized ichthyophon and investigation of feeding and effects of water temperature, salinity and electrical conductivity on the population dynamic of Barbus grypus in the Dalaki and Helle river. In the study period, 2949 Barbus grypus was cached. The most of total length frequency was 200 to 300 mm and 2 to 3 years old. The oldest fish was8 years old with 756 mm total length. Fecundity was 950 upto 57400 oocyt per fish. Station no. 6 and 7 showed more temperature, fecundity and GSI than other stations. Females adulated before then males. Multiple stepwise regression of fecundity and RE (reproduction effort) showed significant correlation. Fishes of the upper parts of stream was more L than down stream stations. Condition factor of males was more than female, and for down stream stations was better than the other stations. Barbus grypus is omnivorous. Ichthyophon of Dalaki river include 4 family and 9 species that Capoeta capoeta intermadia was more than others species, but in the Helle river was 5 family and 9 species, that Liza abu zarudni was more than others.

The study of biological characteristics and determination of population dynamic parameters of sawtooth barracuda (Sphyraena putnamae) in the Persian Gulf (Hormozgun Province waters)

The biological characteristics and population dynamisms of Sphyraena putnamae, were studied in the northern Persian Gulf and Oman Sea restricted to Hormuzgan province waters within 13 months period, from November 2006 up to November 2007. Biometrical and anatomical measurements were carried out, and biological surveys were conducted on 486 specimens. On the other hand, the growth and mortality parameters were estimated by using 3096 samples. These samples were collected from 3 landings, namely Bandar Abbas, Bandar Lengeh and Bandar Jask. The measurements of the minimum and maximum Fork lengths and weights were 11.7 to 8.03 cm and 135.0 to 4140.0 g, respectively. The results indicated that this species, having the Relative Length of Gut, RLG=0.34±0.002, is strongly carnivorous (often fish-eater), proven by the fact that more than 98% of its stomach contents were fish pieces. Examining the changes in the index of stomach emptiness by the percentage of CV = 0.47% indicates that this fish is Moderate feeder. The level of feeding increased in March, before spawning and decreased in June and September, simultaneously with the spawning season. There are 2 peaks of reproduction or spawning seasons during the months of April-May and September, of which the prior is assumed as the main spawning. The sex ratio (M:F) was calculated 0.5:1.0(X2 =2.11), which did not show a significant difference with expected level of 1:1 (P>0.05). The average absolute and relative reproduction rates of Sphyraena putnamae is respectively as follows: 1866827.1±255448.9 and 1097.7±94.3. The highest and the lowest diameter of matured egg are from 200 to 750 μ, and its average diameter is 402.10 ± 0.190 μ. A parameter for Saw-tooth barracuda length measurement, Lm50, based on the Fork-length, was calculated as 54.01 cm. In other words, as far as the fisheries management is concerned, the fish whose lengths are less than 54.01 cm should not be caught. The calculated level of (R2) (correlations of total length & weight), indicated strong correlations between length and weight of this fish, and the obtained formula included W =0.007100 FL 2.9295 and reinforced this assumption. The “K” Index for this fish in 3 above mentioned landings (Jask, Bandar-Abbas and Bandar-Length) were 1.24, 0.37 and 0.46 per year, respectively and the FL index for the same landings were estimated as 129, 110 and 134 cm, respectively. The growth coefficient (MONRO) for the above mentioned regions were calculated as 3.601, 3.647 and 3.917, respectively; and in the surveyed regions there were no significant differences in populations. The Total mortality coefficient (Z) was calculated 0.76, 1.12 and 1.07 per year, the Natural mortality coefficient was 0.46, 0.63 and 0.70, and the Fishing mortality coefficient (rate) (F) was found to be 0.30, 0.49 and 0.37 per year. The value of the exploitation rate (E) is equal to 0.39 per year, indicating that this species is an under-exploited resource, and there is no excessive fishing pressure on the fish supply of this species in the afore-said regions. The highest level of exploitation was found for ‘Bandar Abbas’ fishing region and the lowest level of exploitation is in ‘Bandar Lengeh’ waters.

Population dynamic and stock assessment of lobster resources of Cha-bahar region (with particular ref. to Panulirus homarus)

Amoungst the three spiny lobster species in southern Iranian waters, Panulirus homarus is the only commercial species with a total landings of 20-45 tons per year indicating a decrease in both landings and CPIJE in recent years. Fishing has been regulated according to the no. of fisherman and effort, and trap ha's replaced the gillnef since 1994. Fishing is carried out along the rocky shores of Chah-Bahar region through different landing places by local fisherman for a period of about two months. Most of catch is exported mainly frozen. This research was sposored by the Fisheries Research Dept. and aimed to work on the population dynamics and stock assessment in order to stablish a better understandings of the stock and hence a proper management in this region. Sampling was done for. 10 successive months in _5 major landing places from 1994 to 1995 with no sampling during the monsoon period through June to July. Althogethere, 8500 specimen were collected and the biometry was done accordings to the sex, region and month. Average total length, total weight and carapace length was obtained 216mm., 452 gr. and 75mm. respectively. Total length-weight relationship of both sexes was calculated and follows the cubic law. Regression coefficients for both sexes was 2.8231, males 2.9616, total females 2.7490, berried females 2.6611- and non-berried females

Population dynamics and management of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) of the Oman Sea

The Yellowfin tuna was caught more than all other species in the southern waters of Iran (24000 tons in 1998). In order to come up with the responsible fishing pattern, there was a need to identify some of the biological characteristics and population dynamic parameters. This thesis was the first which covered the whole Yellowfin tuna distribution in the Oman Sea, included the fishing grounds of Berris, Ramin, Chabahar, Pozm and Jask. The data during 1998-99 from different fishing grounds were polled. Based on the exponential relationship between length and weight in the size range 38-173 Cm, the relationship (W=aL^ b) was calculated as W=0.000012L ^ 3.0831). The mean fork length,head length,girth and weight were calculated respectively 84.15 Cm, 23 Cm, 53 Cm, and 11828 g. Length infinity was estimated 189 Cm with growth parameters of 0.42 per year. Growth performance index was 4.18 which was in agreement with the findngs of the other studies in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The mortality parameters and exploitation rate were estimated as below: Z = 1.75-1.85 M=0.6 F=1.25 E=0.68 Occurence of empty stomach was high (60%) in the speciemens obtained from the Oman Sea. Purpleback flying squid (Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis) was the most dominant prey species observed in the study (57% in females and 60% in males), occurrence of teleost fishes were found to be the second (38% in males and 42% in females). Crabs also were identified in the specimens(1-2%). The study on sex ratio indicated that males were predominant at all sizes above 120 Cm fork length. 50.82% of specimens were males and 49.18% females. The monthly gonadosomatic index was deriven higher values during January to June which could be indicated as spawning period.

A study on the growth of Pseudotolithus elongatus, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Cynoglossus goreensis occurring in the Cross River Estuary

Samples of Pseudotolithus elongatus, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Cynoglosus goreensis obtained from the Cross River Estuary (which is most probably the largest estuary water system along the coast of West Africa) between January 1980 and May 1981 were evaluated on basis of population dynamic analytical method postulated by Pauly (1980) for tropical fish stocks. Growth parameters were obtained for the fish species. Wherever possible, these results were compared to those obtained by Longhurst (1964d) and LeGuen (1971) in other West African waters. On the whole, results obtained in this study tend to indicate that the growth of the croaker, bagrid catfish and the sole in the Cross River Estuary is allometric, the third and fourth year-classes of P. elongatus the second and third class-year of C. nigrodigitatus and the fourth, fifth and sixth year classes of C. goreensis dominated in the age distribution of these fish species

Developing a growth-transition matrix for the stock assessment of the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) off Maine

The green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) is important to the economy of Maine. It is the state’s fourth largest fishery by value. The fishery has experienced a continuous decline in landings since 1992 because of decreasing stock abundance. Because determining the age of sea urchins is often difficult, a formal stock assessment demands the development of a size-structured population dynamic model. One of the most important components in a size-structured model is a growth-transition matrix. We developed an approach for estimating the growth-transition matrix using von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated in previous studies of the green sea urchin off Maine. This approach explicitly considers size-specific variations associated with yearly growth increments for these urchins. The proposed growth-transition matrix can be updated readily with new information on growth, which is important because changes in stock abundance and the ecosystem will likely result in changes in sea urchin key life history parameters including growth. This growth-transition matrix can be readily incorporated into the size-structured stock assessment model that has been developed for assessing the green sea urchin stock off Maine.

Changes in the size structure of the yellowfin tuna population of the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean from 1947 to 1955

ENGLISH: Morphometric studies by Godsil (1948), Godsil and Greenhood (1951), Royce (1953) and Schaefer (1952, 1955) have indicated that the yellowfin tuna of the Eastern Pacific are distinct from those of the Central Pacific. Tagging of yellowfin tuna by the California Department of Fish and Game, and by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission in the Eastern Pacific, and by the Pacific Oceanic Fishery Investigations in the Central Pacific, have not yet revealed any migrations between these areas. Shimada and Schaefer (1956) have compared changes in population abundance and fishing intensity, considering the population in the Eastern Pacific as a separate entity. They conclude " ... the amount of fishing has had a real effect upon the stock of Eastern Pacific yellowfin tuna, taken in the aggregate, over the period studied. The evidence suggests also that for this species the intensity of fishing in some recent years has reached and might have even exceeded the level corresponding to the maximum equilibrium yield." Tagging experiments by the California Department of Fish and Game and by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission have yielded returns in the order of one to five percent (Roedel 1954, and unpublished data of both agencies), a level much lower than that at which fishing intensity would be expected to noticeably affect the population size. These results are probably a reflection of the inadequacies of the present tagging methods, but they could lend doubt to the conclusions of Shimada and Schaefer. It is desirable, therefore, to examine other, independent, evidence as to the effects of fishing on the population. At the high levels of fishing intensity suggested by Shimada and Schaefer, in addition to changes in quantity, measurable changes would be expected to have occurred in the quality of the yellowfin tuna stocks, because the average age and size of the fish would have been reduced by the high mortality rates accompanying high fishing intensities. A continuing regular program of sampling catches and determining their length composition, to assess changes in the size composition of the stocks, was initiated by the Commission in 1954 but direct measurements are not available for the earlier, more dynamic period of growth of the fishery. Consequently, other, more general indications of possible changes in the size composition were sought. SPANISH: Los estudios morfométricos efectudos por Godsil (1948), Godsil y Greenhood (1951), Royce (1953) y Schaefer (1952, 1955), han demostrado que el atún aleta amarilla del Pacífico Oriental es distinto del que habita el PacÍfico Central. Los experimentos del Departamento de Pesca y Caza de California y de la Comisión Interamericana del Atún Tropical en el Pacífico Oriental, así como los de las Investigaciones Pesqueras del Océano Pacífico en el Pacífico Central,consistentes en la marcación de atunes aleta amarilla, aún no han puesto de manifiesto movimientos migratorios entre dichas áreas. Shimada y Schaefer (1956) han hecho estudios comparativos sobre la abundancia de la población y la intensidad de la pesca, considerando a la población del Pacífico Oriental como una entidad separada. Su conclusión es que " ... la intensidad de la pesca ha tenido un definido efecto sobre la población del atún aleta amarilla del Pacífico Oriental, tomada en conjunto, a lo largo del período estudiado. La evidencia de que se dispone sugiere así mismo que, por lo que hace a esta especie, la intensidad de la pesca en los últimos años ha alcanzado y quizás aún sobrepasado el nivel correspondiente a la máxima pesca de equilibrio". Los experimentos de mar•cación del Departamento de Pesca y Caza de California y de la Comisión Interamericana del Atún Tropical han producido recuperaciones ,entre el uno y el cinco por ciento (Roedel 1954 y datos inéditos de ambos organismos), lo que constituye un nivel mucho más bajo de aquél en que la intensidad de la pesca podría considerarse que afectaría notablemente el tamaño de la población. Estos resultados reflejan probablemente lo inadecuados que son aún los métodos de marcación, pero ellos podrían, quizá, poner en tela de juicio las conclusiones de Shimada y Schaefer. Por lo tanto,es deseable examinar otras fuentes de evidencia independientes, relacionadas con el efecto que la pesca tiene sobre la población. En efecto, si los altos índices de pesca sugeridos por Shimada y Schaefer son correctos, es de esperar que, además de los cambios en la magnitud de la población, se hayan producido otros, concomitantes y sensibles, en la calidad de los stocks de atún aleta amarilla, puesto que tanto el promedio de edad como el de tamaño de los individuos habrían disminuído debido a las elevadas tasas de mortalidad inherentes a las altas intensidades de pesca. En 1954 la Comisión inició un programa ininterrumpido para tomar muestras y determinar en ellas las frecuencias de tallas y evaluar de este modo los cambios correlativos que tuvieran lugar en los stocks pero, infortunadamente, este sistema de evaluación directa no fué practicado en el período anterior, que fué precisamente el de rápida expansión de la pesquería. En tal virtud, hubo de ser necesario buscar indicios más generales referentes a los cambios posibles en la composición de tamaños. (PDF contains 20 pages.)

Structural dynamic eutrophication models

This article discusses problems of modelling the seasonal succession of algal species in lakes and reservoirs, and the adaptive selection of certain groups of algae in response to changes in the inputs and relative concentrations of nutrients and other environmental variables. A new generation of quantitative models is being developed which attempts to translate some important biological properties of species (survival, variation, inheritance, reproductive rates and population growth) into predictions about the survival of the fittest, where ”fitness” is measured or estimated in thermodynamic terms. The concept of ”exergy” and its calculation is explored to examine maximal exergy as a measure of fitness in ecosystems, and its use for calculating changes in species composition by means of structural dynamic models. These models accomodate short-term changes in parameters that affect the adaptive responses (species selection) of algae.

In search of climate effects on Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) stock off the U.S. Atlantic coast with Bayesian state-space biomass dynamic models

Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) production dynamics along the U.S. Atlantic coast are regulated by fishing and winter water temperature. Stakeholders for this resource have recommended investigating the effects of climate covariates in assessment models. This study used state-space biomass dynamic models without (model 1) and with (model 2) the minimum winter estuarine temperature (MWET) to examine MWET effects on Atlantic Croaker population dynamics during 1972–2008. In model 2, MWET was introduced into the intrinsic rate of population increase (r). For both models, a prior probability distribution (prior) was constructed for r or a scaling parameter (r0); imputs were the fishery removals, and fall biomass indices developed by using data from the Multispecies Bottom Trawl Survey of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Coastal Trawl Survey of the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program. Model sensitivity runs incorporated a uniform (0.01,1.5) prior for r or r0 and bycatch data from the shrimp-trawl fishery. All model variants produced similar results and therefore supported the conclusion of low risk of overfishing for the Atlantic Croaker stock in the 2000s. However, the data statistically supported only model 1 and its configuration that included the shrimp-trawl fishery bycatch. The process errors of these models showed slightly positive and significant correlations with MWET, indicating that warmer winters would enhance Atlantic Croaker biomass production. Inconclusive, somewhat conflicting results indicate that biomass dynamic models should not integrate MWET, pending, perhaps, accumulation of longer time series of the variables controlling the production dynamics of Atlantic Croaker, preferably including winter-induced estimates of Atlantic Croaker kills.