Age, growth and length at first maturity of Otolithes ruber in the northwestern part of the Persian Gulf, based on age estimation using otolith

Estimates of age, growth parameters, length-weight relationship and length and age at first maturity of the otolithes ruber are required for fishery management. We used counting annuli on the section of sagittal otoliths to age O.ruber from the Northwest Persian Gulf in south of Iran. Estimated ages ranged from 0 to 6 years, and maximum frequency of fishes was observed in age-group 1. The values of growth parameters L∞, k and to were calculated by von Bertalanffy model and the results were 67.57 (cm), 0.27 (year-1) and -0.43 respectively. Parameters b and an in length-weight relationship were calculated 3.19 and 0.005 respectively. Length and age at first maturity were estimated 28 cm and 1.55 year

Rate, ratio and amount of annual discards in commercial trawl net in northwestern part of the Persian Gulf (Khuzestan Coastal Waters)

The main goal of this study was estimating discards of trawl nets in north western part of the Persian Gulf. Data were collected from fishing boats in fishing areas of Khuzestan from October 2011 to September 2012 with collaboration of fishery office. Discard samples include 101 species from 61 families which are 39.5% of commercial catch and 60.4% of non-commercial catches. Rayfish and catfish have been observed in most fishing nets. The average size of bony fishes in discard samples was lower than 15 cm. Total weights of discards was estimated about 1109 tons per year. Total weight of commercial fishes with small size in discards was estimated 2736 tones. The rate and proportion of discards in total catch of trawl was estimated 0.5 and 1.03 respectively. Osteichthyes with 70 species and 50.7% of trawl catch has the highest percentage of discards in trawl nets. High rate of small fishes in commercially important species of discards is probably due to nursery role of Khuzestan coastal waters

A survey of discard fish in Khuzestan fishery grounds

The main purpose of this study was to describe and estimate the seasonal pattern of discard fish in the waters of the Persian Gulf coasts in Khuzestan. sampling was carried out Monthly by using fishing boats in the waters of Khuzestan province for one year in fishing areas of Lifeh, Boseif, Khure-mussa and Bahrakan.Discard fish samples were included 61 species from 37 families, nearly 39 percent commercial and 61 percent of non- commercial species. Rayfish and catfish have been observed in most fishing nets. Average size of most species particularly bony fish were under 15 cm. The amount of discard fish per unit of fishing effort is not significantly different between seasons. The highest portion of the catch belongs to Rayfishes. Total discard fishes of gillnets were estimated 3162 tones. Total weight of commercial fishes with small size in trash fish was estimated 225 tones. The rate and proportion of discard fish in total catch of gillnet was estimated 0.23 and 0.31 respectively. Chondrichthyes with 12 species and 60% of gillnet catch has the highest percentage of discard fish of gillnet. A large number of commercial species with small size such as Otolithes ruber (Schneider, 1801), Scomberomorus commerson (Lacepede, 1801) and Scomberoides commersonnianus (Lacepede, 1801) could be due to the role of nursery grounds in Khuzestan coastal waters

Effects of bis-phenol A (BPA) on cellular and molecular levels of yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus)

Today, Bisphenol A is an industrial important chemical that is abundantly used as a primary raw material for the production of plastics and resin. BPA reaches the aquatic environment mainly through urban and industrial sewage effluents; thereby posing a potential threat to the organisms living in these ecosystems. In this study, effects of BPA onerythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) stimulus (MN Test) and liver DNA integrity (DNA Unwinding Assay), in male yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) were investigated. For this reason, fish received intraperitoneal injections during a period of 2 weeks with 10, 50, 100 and 150 µg g^-1 week^-1 of BPA dissolved in coconut oil. Solventcontrols received the coconut oil whereas controls were not injected. The fish were sampled on day 0, 7 and 14. In order to evaluate cytotoxicity of BPA presented in blood, the erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) frequency in yellowfinseabrem was determined. Our results demonstrated a significant increase in fish micronuclei frequency after the treatment with bisphenol A in comparison to the control groups and in dose dependent manner. In addition, the rate of liver DNA integrity was tested using the DNA alkaline unwinding assay. Results showed a decrease in the rate of liver DNAintegrityin treated fishes after 7 and 14 days of BPA exposure in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, results of the current project indicated that BPA has highgenotoxic and/orcytogenotoxic potential.It could be concluded that Micronucleus test and DNA strand breaks can be used as sensitive cellular and molecular indicators of exposure to genotoxic BPA

Determination of dietary protein and energy level s and optimum lipid to carbohydrate ratio for Gattan (barbus xanthopterus) fingerlings

This study was done is three phase ,to required suitable level of protein and energy and optimum carbohydrate to lipid ratio (B.xanthopterus) fingerling . Phase one: Determine of dietary protein and energy l eve in tanks (300 liters) treatment with triplicate e in different level of protein (25 ,30 ,35 percentage) and three level of energy (250 ,300 ,350 kcal/gr) the result showed that the best (GSR and WG) belongs to diet with protein % 35 and 300 kcal/gr. this experiment showed with increased of protein , SGR and WG increased and the one special level of protein with increased of energy level ,first SGR and WG increased (the most of SGR belonged 300 kcal/gr) ,and SGR decreased. Phase 2 : Determine optimum lipid to carbohydrate ratio in tanks (300 liters) In this phase with suitable level of protein and energy( protein %35 and 300kcal/gr) determined 5 ratio of carbohydrate and lipid (0.8, 2.8, 4.86, 8.8 ) in this phase best diet determined with 4/8 ratio , and 6/8 , 2/8 ratios were after that carbohydrate and lipid ratio. Phase 3: Determine optimum lipid to carbohydrate ratio in pond: In this phase, the result of thirty phase were like second phase. we determined that the best SGR and WG and WG % belonged to 4/8 carbohydrate and lipid ratio and 6/8 2/8 ratio were after 4/8 carbohydrate and lipid rate

Effect of dietary protein and energy levels on growth of juvenile orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides

In order to evaluate the protein and energy requirement of orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides Fingerlings, nine semi-purified experimental diets containing 3 levels of crude protein (40%, 50% and 60%) and 3 levels of diegestible energy (DE, 14, 16 and 18 KJgr-1) in a flow-throught system (2 Litmin-1) at 24.32±1.11°C were tested. For 8-weeks Triplicate groups of 20 fish (16.79±.4 gr) were each stocked in 300 L circular polyethylene tanks and were fed the experimental diets to approximate satiation twice daily. Results showed that the survival rate hepatosomatic index (HSI) and condition factor (CF) were independent of the dietary treatments but final weight weight gain specific growth rate(SGR) feed efficiency (FE) feed conversion ratio (FCR) protein efficiency ratio (PER) and daily feed intake (DFI) were significantly affected by protein and digestible energy levels. Diet 5 (50%CP and 16 KJ/gr DE) was the preferred diet and resulted in the best growth performance feed and protein efficiency and nutrient utilization among the examined diets. DFI was the lowest for diet with the highest protein (60%) and energy (18 KJgr^-1). Apparent net protein utilization (ANPU) varied insignificantly (P>0.05) between the treatments. viscerosomatic index(VSI) increased significantly with increasing dietary energy concentrations. Body lipid ash and moisture contents were affected by dietary protein and energy levels (P<0.05). Body lipid content increased with increasing dietary energy levels but carcass ash and moisture decreased with increasing dietary energy levels. Body protein content was not affected by dietary energy level but significantly increased with the increase of protein from 40 to 50% at same energy levels. The study revealed that fingerlings of orange-spotted grouper E. coioides performed best a diet containing 50% crude protein, 16 KJgr^-1 diegestible energy and a P/DE ratio, 31.25 mgkJ^-1

The survey and identification source of white spot disease in shrimp Farm in Abadan area

In the summer of 2002 high mortality occurred in farm shrimp in Abadan area due to white spot disease. The main objective of this study was detection and identification the source of white spot syndrome virus. For this reason from 2004/11/4 until 2005/120/6 about 190 samples consisted of wild shrimp, crab, fish, and plankton collected and preserved in alcohol 90-75% for polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The samples transferred to the South Iranian Aquaculture Center in Ahwaz. The samples examined by commercial WSSV detection kit (Fast Target) and new kit design by Iranian Fisheries Research Organization (IFRO) and Biotechnology Research Center from Iran. The result from PCR showed the samples of Penaeus indicus brood stock and postlarvea, Parapenaeopsis stylifrus and Metapenaeus affinis was positive. The rest of samples did not show any sign of virus and they was negative by PCR. Because the disease outbreak occurred in 2002 and the samples collected in 2004, the situation of environmental in the area was changed and may be the virus disappears in the samples and died

Stock assessment of zobaidy, Pampus argenteus, in the north of Persian Gulf

The project “Stock Assessment of Zobaidy, Pampus argenteus, in the North of Persian Gulf” started in April 2003 and completed by the end of April 2006 as a cooperative research project to assess the valuable stock of zobaidy shared between Kuwait and Iran in the North of Persian Gulf. The main objectives were to investigate and determine the basic biological parameters, the standing biomass, seasonal abundance, and the impact of regional fishery activities. These studies are necessary to recommend practical management policies and measures for long-term sustainability of the zobaidy stock. The sampling of fisheries data (catch, effort, fish length distributions, and biological data) was started in May 2003 and ended December 2006. Monthly length frequencies data were collected from both the drift gill net and shrimp trawl fisheries. Age determination was based on otolith sectioning, polishing, etching, and staining method. The age groups ranged from 0 to 10 yrs but the dominant age groups were 1-3 years and the estimated parameters for both sexes were L_∞ = 32.0-36.0 cm FL and K = 0.26-0.30 yr^-1, females grow faster than males. Sea survey on board of two dhow boats was carried out using swept area method. Higher abundance was always obtained in Kuwait Bay rather than the other areas surveyed in Kuwait and Khuzestan waters. The total estimated stock biomass in the surveyed areas varied from 42 t in January 2004 to 2,633 t in November 2004, while the Iranian biomass varied from as low as 19 t in October 2005 to 295 t in November 2003. The data indicated that Ras Al-Gaid, Bubiyan Island is the main nursery area in Kuwait waters, while Lifah, Busaif, and Bahrakan are important nursery areas in the Khuzestan waters. Kuwait Bay and Khor Musa are considered important spawning grounds and should be protected. Yield per recruit analysis showed that higher yield could be gained with increasing fish effort, which is not recommended under the present status of high exploitation rate. In contrast, virtual population analysis indicated that future catches will reduce if the fishery continues with present level fishing effort. A reduction of 50% would be required to maintain the present level of catches as well as to enhance the stock biomass. Formulation of a joint advisory management committee would be advisable approach to manage and monitor the zobaidy stock in the region. This will need commitment from the three countries in the region for data collection on regular basis on length frequency, statistics, and biological data. Copepods with high occurence of 64% - 88% is considered as the main item in the Pomfret fish, while jelly fish and other decapods crustaceans are considered as minor items. Observation of pre- flexion stage larvae of pampus genus among the specimens collected from Khuzestan coast water could be considered as an evidence for the spawning of this fish in this region. The occurrence of pampus larvae in Khuzestan coast during the months of June to October has been reported for several times. Examination of 101 specimens (38 from Kuwait, 63 from Iran) for molecular survey does not show any significant differences between Kuwait and Iran water stocks for this fish, so it is possible to hypothesize a unit population for zobidy stock in Persian Gulf and Oman Sea as whole