A Preliminary assessment and management of European hake Murleccius murleccius in the Egyptian coast of Mediterranean

Fisheries Resources Natural Resources Marine Red Sea Mediterranean Sea Inland Lakes Nile Artificial Resources Fish Farms

EGYPTIAN MEDITERRANEAN FISHERIES The Egyptian Mediterranean coast is about 1100 km extending from El-Salloum in the West to El-Arish in the East.The Egyptian Mediterranean coast is about 1100 km extending from El-Salloum in the West to El-Arish in the East. The mean annual fish production from this area did not exceed 50 thousand ton (GAFRD; ).The mean annual fish production from this area did not exceed 50 thousand ton (GAFRD; ). The main fishing gears operated in this region were trawling, purse-seining and lining specially long and hand lining.The main fishing gears operated in this region were trawling, purse-seining and lining specially long and hand lining. The fishing grounds along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast are divided into four regionsThe fishing grounds along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast are divided into four regions About 70% of Mediterranean production comes from eastern sectorAbout 70% of Mediterranean production comes from eastern sector

Study area Aim of work Estimating basic parameters required for assessing the present status of the hake in the Egyptian coast of Egypt.

Collection of data Fishery statistics data Fishery statistics data Catch and effort data were obtained from the General Authority for Fish Resources Development annual report (GAFRD, 2007). Catch and effort data were obtained from the General Authority for Fish Resources Development annual report (GAFRD, 2007). Collection of samples Collection of samples Monthly random samples of European hake were collected from the commercial catch from July 2007 to April Sampling undertaken through the NIOF research plan to study ecology and fisheries characteristics of the Egyptian coast of Mediterranean. Monthly random samples of European hake were collected from the commercial catch from July 2007 to April Sampling undertaken through the NIOF research plan to study ecology and fisheries characteristics of the Egyptian coast of Mediterranean.

RESULTS

Trawl fishery The number of licensed vessels ranged between 1100 and 1200 during the period from 1990 to The number of licensed vessels ranged between 1100 and 1200 during the period from 1990 to The vessel length varied between 18 and 22 m and its width varied from 4 to 6 m. The vessel length varied between 18 and 22 m and its width varied from 4 to 6 m. Each vessel is powered by main engine of 150 to 600 hp but the majority of 250 hp engine. Each vessel is powered by main engine of 150 to 600 hp but the majority of 250 hp engine. Trawl net is of the Mediterranean type. Trawl net is of the Mediterranean type. The fishing trip is about 7 to 10 days and the number of crew is about 6 to 15 persons. The fishing trip is about 7 to 10 days and the number of crew is about 6 to 15 persons. The trawl fishery contributed about 30% of the total fish production from Mediterranean. The trawl fishery contributed about 30% of the total fish production from Mediterranean.

European hake fishery European hake fishery Contribute about 3% of the total trawl catch from the Mediterranean (from Alex to Port Said) Contribute about 3% of the total trawl catch from the Mediterranean (from Alex to Port Said) Length frequency varied between 16 – 65.5 cm TL Length frequency varied between 16 – 65.5 cm TL Weight varied between 25 and 2100 g Weight varied between 25 and 2100 g L-Wt relationship W = L L-Wt relationship W = L European hake fishery European hake fishery Contribute about 3% of the total trawl catch from the Mediterranean (from Alex to Port Said) Contribute about 3% of the total trawl catch from the Mediterranean (from Alex to Port Said) Length frequency varied between 16 – 65.5 cm TL Length frequency varied between 16 – 65.5 cm TL Weight varied between 25 and 2100 g Weight varied between 25 and 2100 g L-Wt relationship W = L L-Wt relationship W = L 3.119

Growth parameters: Otolith readings Length-based methods Method MethodParameters 0.27 yr cm TL yr 0.2 yr cm TL yr K L t 0

Mortality and Exploitation ratio Z = 0.97 (Length converted catch curve, Pauly 1983) Z = 0.97 (Length converted catch curve, Pauly 1983) M = 0.31 (Mean of different two methods) M = 0.31 (Mean of different two methods) F = 0.66 (Z – M) F = 0.66 (Z – M) E = 0.68 (F/Z) E = 0.68 (F/Z) Length at first capture L c = cm Length at first maturity L m = cm Z = 0.97 (Length converted catch curve, Pauly 1983) Z = 0.97 (Length converted catch curve, Pauly 1983) M = 0.31 (Mean of different two methods) M = 0.31 (Mean of different two methods) F = 0.66 (Z – M) F = 0.66 (Z – M) E = 0.68 (F/Z) E = 0.68 (F/Z) Length at first capture L c = cm Length at first maturity L m = cm

Yield per Recruit of M. merluccius E 0.1 = 0.41 E 0.5 = 0.31 E max = 0.51

With L c = 34 cm E 0.1 = 0.6 E 0.5 = 0.37 E max 0.68 E max = 0.68

Conclusion & Recommendations Hake stock in the Egyptian sector of Mediterranean is overexploited and the exploitation rate should be reduced by about 50% to maintain stock biomass. Mesh sizes must be regulated Nursery grounds should be protected from illegal fishing and destructive fishing techniques. The necessity to work in order to provide a common management information system for the Mediterranean countries. Lack of information on fishery status in terms of biological, ecological, social and economic policy Lack of reliable statistics, so it is necessary to make an accurate data base about our fisheries involving good records for fishery statistics. Hake stock in the Egyptian sector of Mediterranean is overexploited and the exploitation rate should be reduced by about 50% to maintain stock biomass. Mesh sizes must be regulated Nursery grounds should be protected from illegal fishing and destructive fishing techniques. The necessity to work in order to provide a common management information system for the Mediterranean countries. Lack of information on fishery status in terms of biological, ecological, social and economic policy Lack of reliable statistics, so it is necessary to make an accurate data base about our fisheries involving good records for fishery statistics.

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