Fringelip mullet (Crenimugil crenilabis) caught at Al Duqum and Salalah in the Arabian  Sea region of Omanwere sampled monthly between January 2001 and December 2002. The total length (TL) of mullet caught  with gill- and seine nets ranged from 12 to 54.5 cm (32.4 cm mean ± SD; n = 2445) but <2% of  specimens had a TL<24 cm, suggesting gear selectivity. Females dominated samples (1 : 0.36) and reached L at 32.8 cm TL (32.2 cm in males). Length weight relationships were non-linear and conversion factors between TL, fork length (FL) and standard  length (SL) were calculated. Proportionately, most females had ripe gonads in September and October, and males in September to November. Both female and male gonadosomatic indices (GSI) peaked in September and October and were lowest between May and August. The peak in reproductive activity coincides with the fall intermonsoon, when the Arabian Sea upwellings caused by the onshore winds of the SW monsoon season (June to August/September) retreat. During this intermonsoon period the inshore water temperatures begin to rise after reaching a minimum in August/September. Some reproductive activity also occurs in other months, particularly February, when water temperatures are seasonally lower.

Research Article AbstractDuring 2010, the spiny lobster (Panulirus homarus) fishing season of Oman along the Arabian Sea coast was shifted from 15 October-15 December (2003-2008 to March-April (2010-2014 by the decision of the Ministry of Fisheries. The current status of the spiny lobster stock in the main fishing regions (Dhofar, Al-Wusta and Al-Sharqiyah) was examined based on monthly samples and surveys during the fishing season carried out from 2012 to 2014. An analysis of biological indicators such as size structure, number of undersized individuals captured, size at first maturity, sex composition shows that due to the new fishing season, the state of the lobster stock is improving. However, landings are still relatively low, therefore additional enforcement is needed to control the fishery out of the permitted season.

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