Population Biology and Dynamics of Fringelip Mullet Crenimugil crenilabis, Forsskål, 1775 from Southern Red Sea, Egypt

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the biological characteristics and growth pattern of Crenimugil crenilabis for the first attempt in the Egyptian Red Sea. C. crenilabis is a rewarding fish in the Red Sea small scale fishery. 350 samples were obtained seasonally during the period 2017 to 2018 from the commercial fishery operating in Shalatin, southern Egyptian Red Sea. Total length was varied from 24.0 to 49.4 cm (35.0 cm mean, SD: 4.75) and total weight ranged from 157.0 to 1265.0 g (476.58 g mean, SD: 214.47). The weight at length relationship showed an isometric growth pattern (b= 3.052). The von Bertalanffy growth constants K and L∞ were estimated using ELEFAN I method. The growth parameters were found to be K= 0.36/year and L∞=51.5 cm. The annual total mortality coefficient (Z), natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) were estimated to be 1.26, 0.73 and 0.53/ year respectively. The length at first capture (L c ) was calculated at 35.65 cm, while the length at first maturity (L m50 ) was found to be 32.7 for males and 33.3 cm for females. The exploitation rate of C. crenilabis was determined as 0.42, indicating the under-exploited level where the maximum exploitation level reported was 0.5. Thus the study recommended preserving the current level of exploitation rate to conserve the population stock of C. crenilabis from the breakdown.