Research Article: Life history parameters and stock status of the yellowstrip barracuda Sphyraena chrysotaenia (family Sphyraenidae) in the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt

Yellowstrip barracuda, Sphyraena chrysotaenia (Klunzinger, ۱۸۸۴) is exploited by gillnets along the Gulf of Aqaba coast, Red Sea, Egypt. Although barracuda species were caught in considerable amounts in the Gulf, there are no separate records for their catch. The population parameters of S. chrysotaenia were investigated in the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt to cover the gap in the knowledge about the life history of the species in this area. A total of ۵۹۰ individuals were examined by bi-monthly sampling from January ۲۰۲۱ to June ۲۰۲۳. The total length distribution of S. chrysotaenia ranged from ۱۶.۰ to ۳۵.۳ cm and the weight distribution from ۲۵.۰ to ۲۴۰.۰ g. Length- weight investigation showed that females were slightly heavier than males of the same size and both sexes showed negative allometric growth. The maximum ages resultant from otolith readings were six years for females and males. Growth parameters, L∞, K and t۰ were estimated as ۳۹.۸۷ cm TL, ۰.۲۹۶/year and -۰.۵۲ year, respectively. Natural mortality of the stock was ۰.۶۴/year, and total mortality was ۱.۶۷/year, while fishing mortality was ۱.۰۳/year. Accordingly, the exploitation ratio was calculated as ۰.۶۲, indicating that the resource is currently under high fishing pressure, and any further increase in effort impact the fishery. Emax and E۰.۵ were ۱.۰ and ۰.۴۱, respectively and therefore, it is recommended to decrease the fishing effort to attain E۰.۵ or to keep it at its current level. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first time to evaluate the age, growth and mortality rates of this species in the Gulf of Aqaba, and the findings of this study will be valuable for fishery managers and for sustainable exploitation.

کلیدواژه ها:

Gulf of Aqaba ، Sphyraena chrysotaenia ، Population parameters ، Critical lengths ، Management