Stock assessment and virtual population analysis of River shad, Tenualosa ilisha (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq

Historically, the river shad, Tenualosa ilisha fishery is the most significant marine fishery from the economic-socio point of view in Basrah province for a long time, but its contribution declined from 90.2% of total landings in 1965-1973 to 5.8% in 2020. The stock and virtual population analysis of the species in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq was assessed using FiSAT II software. Samples were collected from two sites in the river from November 2015 to October 2016. A total of 462 individuals of T. ilisha ranging from 7.0 to 42.5 cm were collected. The length-weight relationship was derived, indicating a positive allometric growth for the species. L∞, K, and Ø were 59.1 cm, 0.27, and 2.975, respectively. Total (Z), natural (M) and fishing (F) mortalities were 1.94, 0.59, and 1.35, respectively. The exploitation rate (E) was 0.70. Length at first capture (Lc50) was found to be 24.4 cm. The recruitment pattern of T. ilisha was continuous throughout the year with two unequal prominent peaks. The relative yield per recruit analysis revealed that the current exploitation rate (E) of T. ilisha was higher than both E0.1 and Emax. Also, the 40 cm length group was more vulnerable to fishing according to VPA analysis, followed by the 34 cm and 26 cm length groups. For management purposes, it must be introduced an extensive T. ilisha management action plan by protecting brood species during the breeding season by imposing a ban on fishing in the Shatt Al-Arab River during the main spawning migration and conserving the small T. ilisha (Milat <23.0 cm) from catching. &nbsp

PROCJENA STOKA SLATKOVODNOG CIPLA, Liza abu (HECKEL, 1843), U TRIMA OBNOVLJENIM JUŽNIM MOČVARAMA IRAKA

The stock of freshwater mullet, Liza abu (Heckel, 1843), in the East Hammar, Huwazah and Chybaish marshes, south Iraq, was assessed between October 2005 and September 2006. The relative abundance of the species formed 35.9, 37.1 and 62% of the total catches in the three marshes, respectively. Length–weight relationships calculated for L. abu were: W = 0.0149 L2.899 (East Hammar), W = 0.0132 L2.910 (Huwazah) and W = 0.0252 L2.662 (Chybaish). Mean values of relative condition factor were 1.00, 1.02 and 0.98 for the three marshes, respectively. Growth and mortality parameters estimated for the species were L∞= 23.2cm, K = 0.37, Z = 2.125, M = 0.903 and F = 1.222 (East Hammar), L∞ = 21.1cm, K = 0.44, Z = 1.688, M = 1.055 and F = 0.632 (Huwazah) and L∞ = 20.0cm, K = 0.41, Z = 2.297, M = 1.006 and F = 1.291 (Chybaish). The stock of L. abu in the Huwazah marsh was unexploited (E = 0.375), while those of the East Hammar and Chybaish marshes were overexploited, E = 0.575 and 0.562, respectively. It is necessary to enforce immediate fishing regulation measures on the fish stock in the investigated locations and this can be assessed by activating the national law of fisheries management.Procjena stoka slatkovodnog cipla, Liza abu (Heckel, 1843), provodila se u močvarama Istočni Hammar, Huwazah i Chybaish na jugu Iraka od listopada 2005. do rujna 2006. godine. Relativna zastupljenost ove vrste bila je 35,9, 37,1 i 62% od ukupnog ulova u trima močvarama. Dobivene vrijednosti dužinsko-masenih odnosa kod L. abu bile su: W = 0,0149 L2.899 (Istočni Hammar), W = 0,0132 L2.910 (Huwazah) i W = 0,0252 L2.662 (Chybaish). Srednje vrijednosti kondicijskog faktora triju istraživanih močvara iznosile su 1,00, 1,02 i 0,98. Parametri rasta i mortaliteta pojedine vrste bili su: L∞ = 23.2 cm, K = 0,37, Z = 2.125, M = 0,903 i P = 1.222 (Istočni Hammar) , L∞ = 21.1cm , K = 0,44 , Z = 1.688 , M = 1.055 i F = 0.632 (Huwazah) i L∞ = 20.0 cm, K = 0,41, Z = 2.297, M = 1.006 i F = 1.291 (Chybaish). Stok L. abu u močvari Huwazah bio je neiskorišten (E = 0,375), dok su močvare Istočni Hammar i Chybaish bile previše iskorištavane (E = 0.575; E = 0.562). Nužna je provedba ribolovnih mjera za riblji fond na istraživanim lokacijama, a to se može procijeniti jedino primjenom nacionalnog zakona o upravljanju u ribarstvu

Population dynamics of an invasive species Carassius auratus in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq

The population dynamics of the crucian carp, Carassius auratus in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq was studied from November 2015 to October 2016 with monthly samples collected by different fishing gears. The FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tool (FiSAT II) software was used for the mathematical analysis. Length-weight relationship was calculated as W= 0.0149L3.065 for fish length 4.6 to 26.8 cm. Growth parameters L∞, K and Ø were computed as 29.1 cm, 0.51 and 2.635. The total (Z), natural (M) and fishing (F) mortalities were 2.69, 1.09 and 1.60, respectively. Exploitation rate (E) was 0.59. Length at first capture (Lc) was found to be 10.04 cm. C. auratus displayed one main pulse of annual recruitment. The relative yield per recruit analysis revealed that the exploitation rate (E) of C. auratus was higher than the biological target reference points E0.1 and equivalent to Emax. It could be concluded that the C. auratus stock in the Shatt Al-Arab River is operating nearby the exploited situation and needs some precautionary measures to avoid the overexploitation by activating the national law of fishing, exploiting and protecting aquatic resources, in particular preventing illegal fishing methods and follow up the execution of the closed season to prevent the decline of our fish resources

Population dynamics and management of two cichlid species in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq

Cichlids are invasive fish to Iraqi waters and became well established and prevailing in different waters. Despite that, there is no stock assessment study conducted for these fish. So, growth, mortality, recruitment and yield-per-recruit of two cichlid’s species; Coptodon zillii and Oreochromis aureus from the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq were evaluated from November 2015 to October 2016 using the FiSAT software. A total of 1285 C. zillii (2.9-24.0 cm TL) and 1353 O. aureus (4.5-25.0 cm TL) were examined. Length-weight relationships were derived, indicating allometric growth for both species. The growth parameters (L?, K, Rn, to and ?) obtained for C. zillii were 25.5 cm, 0.320, 0.212, -0.793 and 2.318, respectively, while for O. aureus were 27.8, 0.490, 0.214, -0.271 and 2.578, respectively. The annual rate of total mortality (Z), fishing (F) and natural (M) for C. zillii was found to be 1.51, 0.84 and 0.68 respectively, and for O. aureus 2.49, 1.08 and 1.41, respectively. The present exploitation rates (Epresent) for C. zillii and O. aureus were computed to be 0.454 and 0.57, respectively. Lengths at first capture (LC) were 12.97 cm for C. zillii and 13.25 cm for O. aureus. The peaks of recruitment of C. zillii and O. aureus were from February to May and May to July, respectively. The Epresent for C. zillii and O. aureus were below the biological target reference points (F0.1  and Fmax), indicating that these species were not overexploited. For management purposes, more yields could be obtained by an increase in the fishing activities on cichlids

Evaluation of the inland fisheries in Basrah province in Iraq during 2020-2021

The study was aimed to update the knowledge on the fish landings of the inland fisheries in Basrah province, Iraq. The species composition, species and total landings, and their trends in six landing sites throughout the study region were evaluated during the year 2020-2021. Species compositions were included seven cyprinids’ species, three cichlids’ species, three mullet’s species, and two species from sparids and silurids. The exotic species, C. carpio, tilapias species and C. auratus dominated the landings constituting 44.2% of the total catch, whereas the highly valued native species (M. sharpeyi, L. xanthopterus, C. luteus and A. grypus) forming only 12.4% of the total catch. The total landing reached 2,427.78 t in 2020 and 2,365.15 t in 2021, and these values were higher than what was recorded during the past years since the year 2009. This is due to the prevalence of aliened species and the increase in the fishing effort, such as the numbers of fishermen and fishing boats. Therefore, in fisheries management point of view, it is essential to enhance the stocks of the native species, minimize the dispersal and impacts of some exotic species, and activate the national regulating fishing, exploitation and protection of aquatic organisms to improve the inland fisheries

Some biological aspects of four marine fish species in Iraqi marine waters, northwest Arabian Gulf

The study described some biological characteristics of four commercially important fish species in Iraqi marine waters including Planiliza klunzengeri, P. subviridis, Acanthopagrus arabicus and Otolithes ruber from February 2020 to January 2021. The length and weight of individual fish caught were measured. The length-weight relationships were W= 0.027L2.715 for P. klunzengeri,  W= 0.034L2.670 for P. subviridis,  W= 0.030L2.867 for A. arabicus and W= 0.023L2.755 for O. ruber, and all species indicated negative allometric growth. The lower values of the relative condition factor (Kn) were found at the mid-lengths of P. klunzingeri and P. subviridis, and the large individuals for A. arabicus and O. ruber. Scales were used for age determination and measurements, and the back-calculated lengths-at-ages were calculated using the body proportional formula. Asymptotic total lengths (L∞) estimated were 29.6, 32.8, 44.9 and 70.6 cm for P. klunzengeri, P. subviridis, A. arabicus and O. ruber, respectively. These results could assist in fisheries management for the sustainable exploitation of these commercially important species in Iraqi marine waters

Some Biological Aspects of Al - Shabbot Arabibarbus grypus (Heckel, 1843) in Al-Diwanyia River, Middle of Iraq

 نظراﹰلعدم وجود دراسات تخص أسماك الشبوط في نهر الديوانية فقد هدفت الدراسة الحالية الى دراسة بعضۥ الصفاتِ الحياتية لأسماكِ الشبوطِ Arabibarbus grypus في نهر الديوانية، وسط العراق للفترة من تشرين الاول 2016 لغاية ايلول 2017. تراوحتْ درجةۥ حرارةِ الماء بين 10.2°م في آذار و32.8°م في آب. ﺇذ تم ﺇصطياد 853 سمكةَ شبوط باستخدام شباك الكرفة والخيشومية والسلية وطريقة الصيد بالكهرباء. شكلت اسماك الشبوط 6.27% من الصيد الكلي والتي تراوحت أطوالها بين14-51سم. تمثلت علاقة الطول الكلي (L) بالوزن (W) بالمعادلة W=0.021*L2.7548 وكان نمو النوع غير متماثلاﹰ. ﺇذ بلغ معدل معامل الحالة النسبي للأسماك 0.91. وحددت أعمار الأسماك من 1-5 سنوات وكان معدل أطوالها 20.2 و32.0 و39.0 و43.9 و48.3سم على التوالي. وتم وصف نمو النوع بالصيغة التالية  .Lt= 58 [1-e -0.39 (t-0.313)] وبلغت قيمة دليل كفاءة النمو (Φ) 3.11. وأظهرت الدراسة إنﱞ طبيعة غذاء أسماك الشبوط في نهر الديوانية قارته Omnivores تعتمد في غذائها على القشريات والنباتات المائية والحشرات والطحالب وفتات عضوي. وكانت نسبة الجنس الكلية (1.47:1) لصالح الأناث وﺇنﱞ أعلى قيم دالة مناسل الإناث والذكور 4.20 و1.87 سجلت خلال نيسان على التوالي. ﺇذ تراوحت خصوبة النوع بين 75600 – 124200 بيضة.      Some biological characteristics of shabbot, Arabibarbus grypus (Heckel, 1843) in the Al-Diwaniya River, middle of Iraq were studied from October 2016 to September 2017. Water temperature ranged from 10.2oC in March to 32.8oC in August. A total of 853 fish were caught by seine, gill and cast nets and electro-fishing. A. grypus constituted about 6.27% of the total fish catch. The length-weight relationship was W=0.021*L2.7548 revealing an allometric growth. The mean relative condition factor was 0.91. Five age groups wore recorded and their mean total lengths were 20.2, 32.0, 39.0, 43.9 and 48.4 cm, respectively. The growth model of the species was  Lt= 58 [1-e -0.39 (t-0.313)]. The growth performance index (Φ) of A. grypus was computed as 3.11. The study declares that the species is a omnivore, feeding mainly on aquatic plants, insects, algae and detritus. The overall sex ratio (female: male) was 1.47:1. The highest values of gonado- somatic index (GSI) were 4.20 for female and 1.78 for males in April. The fecundity of the species ranged from 75600 to 124200 eggs.&nbsp

Mapping poverty hot spots in Peninsular Malaysia using spatial autocorrelation analysis

In September 2000 The Millennium Summit adopted the UN Millennium Declaration, committing nations to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty with a deadline of 2015. Eight Millennium Development Goals were formulated of which the eradication of poverty given top priority. However, Malaysia’s participation with the UN in dealing with poverty, precede this when it committed itself with the United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997–2006) programme, which was then reinforced when the Millennium Declaration was made in 2000. Nationally, poverty eradication as well as bridging the inequality gap among the major ethnic groups and states has been the main development goal in Malaysia’s development agenda since independence. In this regards, the principle of “growth with equity” has been the central theme in all Malaysia’s development policies and efforts since independence. Although Malaysia has made significant achievements in reducing the incidence of aggregate poverty across the country from 8.9% in 1995 down to 1.7% in 2012, there still exist pockets of poverty in the rural areas, in certain states/regions and among ethnic groups, as well as in some urban areas. This shows that formulating planning and policy implementation to eradicate poverty now needs to be more spatially focused for the implementation to be more effective. Recognising the incidence of poverty through standard statistical data tables alone is no longer adequate in formulating planning and policy implementation. Through spatial autocorrelation analysis the pattern of distribution of poverty in space over a period of time can easily be visualised and hotspots of incidence of poverty identified. This paper attempts to show how this analysis can assist in focusing efforts to eradicate poverty in Malaysia

Carcass variables and chemical composition of commercial broiler chickens and the red jungle fowl

The carcass characteristics and composition of both male and female commercial broiler chickens (CB) and the red jungle fowl (RJF) were compared at a common body weight of 800±25.6 g. The RJF and CB were 133 and 17 d of age, respectively, when they reached 800 g. The yields of breast and thigh portions and their muscle to bone ratios were higher for RJF as compared to CB. On the other hand, the latter had significantly greater hearts, livers and gizzards. The weights of the whole thigh and drumstick, and their muscles were lower in females than males. The CB had more abdominal fat than RJF. While sex had no significant effect on the absolute weights of abdominal fats in CB, the female RJF were fatter than their male counterparts. The fat and cholesterol contents of the breast and leg muscles of CB were significantly higher than those of RJF. The opposite was noted for protein content of both muscles. The effect of sex on fat and cholesterol contents varied according to muscle type. Comparison of CB and RJF at a common body weight suggested that the rate of development of body components have changed concomitantly with selection for rapid growth in the former