Reproductive biology of the golden grey mullet, Liza aurata in the Iranian coastal waters of the Caspian Sea

The paper focuses on some of the biological characteristics of golden grey mullet, Liza aurata in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea. Samples of commercial catch of mullet obtained by means of beach seine fishing cooperatives along the Iranian coasts of Caspian Sea (2007-2008) as monthly interval. Samples subjected to biometric measurement to specify their biological characteristics. The male/female ratio in the present study was 1:1.22 which deviated significantly from 1:1common sex ratio (X2=7.7, Sig, level=0.006). During this study, the peak of the spawning time for golden grey mullet occurred in October in waters off- Guilan shore whereas it occurred in November off Mazandaran and Golestan provinces. The highest Gonado-Somatic Index (GSI) was found to occur during late September and October which declined to its lowest level in November and December and remained relatively stable during January to April. Therefore spawning of L.aurata started earlier in Guilan and ended later in Golestan Province.The average absolute fecundity of the golden grey mullet was 700881 429987 ( SD) eggs with a range of 200112 and 2282862 eggs. The length of female at 50% sexual maturity of golden grey mullet was estimated 28.4 cm

Investigation on spawning season, fecundity rate and length at maturity Lm_(50) of common kilka, Clupeonella cultriventris, in Mazandaran Province coastal waters

The spawning season, fecundity rate, male to female ratio and Lm _ (50) of the Caspian Sea common kilka (Clupeonella cultriventris) were investigated during March 2005 to February 2006 in the coastal waters of Mazandaran province. The mean fork length and the weight of ovary females were 99.47 ±9.8mm and 8.3 ±2.0g respectively. The sex ratio was 2:1 in which females were dominant. The common kilka spawning started from January and its peak occurred in May. The mean gonadosomatic index was 2.1 ±6.0mm and its maximum was estimated at 0.28 and 8.9 respectively with its highest recorded in May. The condition factor was calculated at 1.5 ±0.12. More than 50 percent of the fish specimens matured when their length exceeded 94.17mm

Age, growth and mortality of the Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, in the Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea

The age and growth of the Persian Sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, obtained from the Iranian coastal waters of the Caspian Sea, were studied through analysis of the pectoral fin ray section from 180 specimens, ranging in fork length (FL) from 66 to 203 cm. The specimens were obtained from commercial fisheries between October 2008 and June 2010. Interpretation of growth bands in the pectoral fin ray sections was carried out objectively using the direct reading of thin sections and image analysis. The maximum age recorded in this study for the spacimens of Persian Sturgeon was 39 years. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated for females were greater than for males. The estimates of asymptotic length (L∞) and growth coefficient (K) of females were 173.07 cm and 0.1 year -1, respectively and for males 164.33 cm L∞ and 0.08 year -1 K respectively,. Total mortality coefficient (Z) for females and males was estimated to be 0.45 and 0.76 year -1, respectively. This study revealed differences in life history parameters of the Persian Sturgeon compared with those of previous studies, which may be associated with the current increased fishing pressure and degradation of environmental conditions

Catch composition and fishing trend of kilka in Iranian part of the Caspian Sea

Population structure of three kilka fishes (Clupeonella spp.), particularly anchovy kilka (C. engrauliformis), in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea was surveyed in 2003. A total of 3230 biweekly samples were collected from commercially landed kilka at 3 stations in Mazandaran and Guilan provinces. Catch and effort statistics were obtained from the relevant organization. Results showed a great decline in the commercial kilka catch from 95000 tons in 1999 to 15497 tons in 2003. The contribution of anchovy kilka to the total kilka fishery also showed a decline from 71% in 1999 to 52.5% in 2003, while common kilka (C. cultriventris) increased from 13.7% in 1999 to 48.9% in 2003. Fork length range of anchovy kilka showed an increase from 89.2±12mm in 1999 to 100.4±4.9mm in 2003. The age composition of anchovy ranged between 1+ to 7+ years and the dominant group was 5+ years old (age group of 4+ and 5+ comprised 84.6% of population). The K value and L∞ calculated 0.598/year and 110.13 mm respectively. Natural, fishing and total mortality coefficient was estimated 0.69, 0.31 and 1 per year respectively. The results showed a sex ratio of F:M= 68.2:31.8

Population dynamics and reproductive biology of crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) in Shorabil Lake (Ardabil Province), northwest of Iran

Freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodaciylus Eschscholtz, 1823) is a very valuable macrobentic organism which was introduced Aras reservoir to the Shorabil Kake in the amount of 15000 specimens during the years 2002-2006. This species produce very good population in the Shorabil Lake. We investigate biological, biomass and MSY of the crayfish in the Lake during the years 2006-2007. Results showed that the mean total lengths and weight of this crayfish for both sexeswere 82.5±32.4mm and 82.5±32.4g, respectively. Maximum total length and weight of the caught crayfish was 196mm and 328g respectively. The sex ratios of male:female crayfish caught with a funnel trap of 10mm mesh size (stretched mesh) were estimated at 1:2.4 that was significantly difference from :1 ratio ( X2 = 479.01 ; P<0.05 ). Mean number of ovarian and pleopodal eggs were estimated at 396.6136.5 and 311.11±22.92 eggs with 95% confidence limits, respectively. The time of the first molting of the male stared from beginning of the May at a water temperature of around 14°C and ended in mid-June. The second molting of the male and the first molting of the female is done simultaneously and started in beginning of the October at a water temperature of around I 7°C. Reproduction period of this species started from beginning of the December and lasted until the mid-June in Shorabil Lake

Comprehensive study on probability of controlling Caspian Sea invasive ctenophora (Mnemiopsis leidyi) (Activity 2: Investigation on Mnemiopsis leidyi diet in the Caspian Sea)

Mnemiopsis leidyi is one the species of comb-jelly. It belongs to the Ctenophore phylum and Lobate order. It is a purely marine, free-swimming animal with a transparent jelly-like walnut-shaped body, which was transported from the Black Sea into Caspian possibly at the end of 1990s. This species is food rival of pelagic fish. It has been reported that the ctenophore caused the dramatic decrease of zooplankton and pelagic fish stock in the Black Sea. In this study, sampling on Mnemiopsis leidyi, zooplankton, phytoplankton was conducted from December 2003 to March 2005, from a total of 11 stations located along four transects (Anzali, Khazarabad, Tourkman and Gorgan Bay) by METU net in the Iranian coasts of the Caspian Sea. Clupeonella catch was done by light fishing with fishing vessel in Anzali region. The results showed that the biomass of M.leidyi had some fluctuation in different seasons and its maximum biomass was recorded in summer with a figure of 524.4±156.2 g.m^2 Tourkman region and the minimum biomass was observed in winter with a figure of 5.15±1.81 g.m^2 in Anzali region. Study of stomach of Mnemiopsis showed, that Acartia (belonged of Copepoda with 66 %), lamlibranchia (13 %) has the highest frequency and the lowest were Balanus nauplii, Rotatoria, Tintinnopsis and Podon polyphemoides. The maximum mean abundance of zooplankton was 29368±24318 n.m3 in winter (Anzali region) and the minimum was recorded 4170±5014 n.m3 in summer (Tourkman region). Copepoda was dominant zooplankton in the Iranian coasts of the Caspian Sea. Chrysophyta with 150000000±440000000 n.m3 and Euglenophyta with 260000±521000 n.m3 had the highest and the lowest frequency respectively in the Caspian Sea. The main foods of Clupeonella were Acartia with 80 %. The survey of stomach of Clupeonella showed that the feeding of these species was not good and the highest fullness index was recorded 220.95±314.67. These results showed, the main food item of Ctenophora and Clupeonella were Copepoda (Acartia). It seems, the impact of Mnemiopsis leidyi feeding has been the important factor in declining zooplankton populations, Clupeonella stocks, and also increasing of phytoplankton abundance

Stock assessment of bonyfishes in the Iranian coastal water of the Caspian Sea (2004-2005)

For gathering of data on biometry and catch statistics, 5 mobile working group in the regions of Anzali, Kiashahr , Noshahr , Babolsar and Torkmen were involved from the start (2004.10.23) to the end of fishing season (2005.04.10). Gathered data were entered to the computer based on species. For data analysis different methods were undertaken such as Bertallanfy equation for growth parameter Beverton and Holt for total mortality rates, pauly's imperical model for natural mortality rate and cohort Analysis for biomass estimation. Total catch with taking into account of poaching, was estimated 15140 tons reported by scientific committee of catch and fishing harbor relief of Iranian Fishery Company. The total recorded catch of beach seine cooperatives was 10644 tons that comprise 70.2% of the total catch. Total catch of Caspian Kutum was estimated 6612 tons that had 1856 tons (22%) decrease with comparison of the last year. Biomass of Caspian kutum in Iranian coastal Water of the Caspian Sea in 2003-2004 estimated about 20400 tons. The total catch of golden gray mullet was estimated 4425.6 tons that constitute 29.2% of total catch of bony fishes. Biomass of this species was estimated 12200 tons and based on this amount of biomass, Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) was calculated as 3577 tons. Long nose mullet comprised only 1.4% of the mullet catch. The catch of common carp in 2004-2005 fishing season continued its increasing trend and caught in amount of 3087 tons by beach seine cooperatives that had 2.2 fold increase in comparison of previous fishing season. Most of the catch occurred in Golestan province and was immature and undersize and the length frequency modes showed moving towards bigger size and older age groups in comparison of previous fishing season. The catch of pick perch in 2003-2004 decreased with comparison of the last year and estimated about 22.5 tons. Most of the catch of pick perch was immature and undersize. Approximately all of the catch is due to releasing of fingerling of this species by Fishery Company especially in Guilan province. Total catch of bream was estimated 27.4 tons and most of which was immature and undersize. Population of asp is critically endangered and the catch of this species is very low (500 kg). Restocking of this species must be considered by Iranian fishing company

The study on fishing and resource management of bony fisheries within southern Caspian Sea

The project of the Study on fishing and resource management of fisheries within Southern Caspian Sea was conducted on the base of an agreement made between fisheries organization (Shilat) and the Iranian fishery research organization (IFRO) signed in 2010. In this library-based study the current situation of bony fish fisheries and biology of these species has been surveyed in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea . In this survey internal and external environmental factors of bony fishes activities were considered. Using SWOT analysis method, current situation of fisheries was investigated..One of the most important strategies for conserving anadromous species such as Caspian kutum , common carp, roach, bream and …. is rehabilitation of the natural spawning ground in rivers, coastal lagoon specially Anzali lagoon .By conducting this strategy not only restocks of bony fishes is done ,but also reduced the cost of artificial restocking programs and releasing fingerlings .In short term , it is nessesary to enhance the stocks of the species that have low catch is done by huge releasing of the fingerlings and study the qualification of the program

Growth performance and age composition of Salmo trutta caspius in Iranian part of Caspian Sea

The aim of this project is to study the growth and age structure in the Caspian trout, comparison with other coldwater species and check the trend of these parameters in recent years. This study was conducted during 2013 till 2015. Totally, 43 specimens for back calculation and 101 specimens for biometrical study of the Caspian trout have been caught in two month period. Biometric parameters such as length, weight and age of the fish were recorded. Base on Back calculation method in 1393, the average length of fish at ages 1, 2 and 3 years old were 18.98 ± 3.5, 30.5 ± 7.24 and 41.7 ± 9.1 cm. So these age groups are under the adult age and don’t approaching to near the beach and rivers for spawning behavior. Therefore, these length groups cannot be observed in catch composition. The result showed, the mean of gonad weight in this fish was about 11 percent of total weight and number of eggs per gram of gonad calculated about 10.8 numbers. Minimum age and maximum age of this species determined 4 years and 7 years (mean = 5.6) and the most frequency allocated to 5 age group and the frequency of 6 and 7 years has been remarkable. The average length of salmon was 69.2 ± 6.2 cm (minimum 57 and maximum 81 cm) and the average weight was measured 3323 ± 677 g (2400 to 5600 g) in the catch composition. Growth parameters such as k, L_∞ and ø’ was measured 0.18, 104 cm and 3.289 respectively. The amount of b for relation length and weight was 2.9 which imply negative allometry. L_∞ and growth coefficient (K) on the Caspian trout were acceptable range, that it shows good growth the fish in the sea water. Most of the fishes were catched from Cheshmehkileh River. As at present Shilat uses just the broods of the Tonekaboon region for restocking of this species, we recommend using the broods of the western region separately for rehabilitation of the stocks of this region

Determination of suitable size of Rutilus frisii kutum for releasing by evaluation of osmotic regulation ability

The study was done in Nutrition and Live Food Station was located in Bandar Anzali Ghaziyan. Juveniles weighted average 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g were randomly selected in three water conditions with a salinity of 11 ppt (Caspian sea water), water 7 ppt and freshwater (with three replicates per group) were included. At intervals of 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 72, 168, 240 hours, blood samples were heparinized capillary tubes by caudal juveniles and ion concentrations Mg, Ca,Cl using the spectrophotometer and sodium and potassium ions with Flaym photometry (flame photometric), the osmotic pressure of blood plasma by osmometer and cortisol levels were measured by RIA method. To study the microstructure of gill and kidney tissue for each treatment , tissue samples by classical histological methods and stained with hematoxylin - eosin slides were prepared. The frequency and location of the enzyme Na^+, K^+ - ATPase and chloride cells with immunohistochemical localization was performed. Studies micrometric gill chloride cells and renal glomerular networks by software Image tool (version 2.0) was performed. Measurement of enzyme Na^+, K^+-ATPase, by Zaugg (1982) method was conducted. Data analyzed by one-way ANOVA (Oneway ANOVA) with Tukey's test was performed. Overall, the results of measuring ions and osmotic pressure on the tenth day of treatment, the osmotic potential juveniles 2.5, 5, 10, 20 gr in Caspian sea water and all groups except the 0.5 in water of 7 ppt confirmed. But in case of unfavorable conditions for the release in estuaries river and river, fish with weight 1 to 3 release directly to beach (where the salinity is 7 grams per liter) and fishes with weight from 10 to 20 gr to sea. Although suitable river conditions necessary condition for release of juveniles in riverine areas to adaptation juveniles occur gradually