Stock Assessment and Potential management of Sardinella aurita Fisheries in the East Mediterranean sea (North Sinai coast).

Abstract

Age, growth and population biology of Sardinella aurita were studies from a small fishery of East Mediterranean Sea (North Sinai coast). 4450 specimens ranged between 6 and 22.9 cm total length and varied from 3 to 77.1 g total weight, were collected from January to December, 2010. The relationship between length and weight was estimated as W=0.016 L 2.611 . Age was determined using scales reading technique and the longevity of this species was found to be 4 years. Growth in length and in weight at the end of each year were calculated. The growth parameters of the Von-Bertalanffy equation were calculated as L∞= 28.37cm, K= 0.2336 Yr -1 and t 0 = -0.9808 Yr. Growth performance index Ø was estimated as 2.2742. Total, natural and fishing mortality rates were 0.99.7 Yr -1 , 0.3507 Yr -1 and 0.53 Yr -1 respectively. The currently exploitation rate (E=0.6) indicate that the stock of S. aurita in North Sinai fishery is not overexploitation. The mean index of growth performance is lower than that for the another regions this may be related to unsuitable environment.