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Abstract

This study aimed to assess the life history and population status of Pomadasys kaakan, Cuvier, 1830, known as ‘Nagroor’, in the Sea of Oman to determine an optimal sustainable yield and provide management recommendations for maintaining stock sustainability. Biological data, including length, weight, age, gonad weight, and maturity stages, were collected monthly in 2016 from the Dibba fish landing center in the Musandam region of the Sultanate of Oman. The Beverton-Holt model was used to determine fish stock status. The length-weight relationship for P. kaakan was described by W = 0.03L2.81, indicating negative allometric growth (t = 0.0318, P > 0.05). Mean Fulton’s condition factor (k = 1.45) and relative condition factor (Kn = 1.01) indicated good health conditions for P. kaakan in 2016. Von-Bertalanffy Growth Function (VBGF) parameters were asymptotic length (L) of 58.95 cm, growth coefficient (K) of 0.301 year–1, and length at age zero (to) of 0.9, with a maximum age recorded at 23 years. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) indicated a spawning season from March to May, with a mean length at which 50% (L50) of the population reached sexual maturity of 43 cm. The mean length at first capture was 42 cm, smaller than length at first maturity. Sex ratios (males: females) were 0.379:1, suggesting female-biased behavior. Mortality rate (Z) was 0.79 year–1, with a natural mortality rate (M) of 0.68 year–1, indicating a current fishing mortality rate (F) of 0.26 year–1, lower than recommended reference points F0.1 (0.19 year–1) and Fmax (0.31 year–1). Urgent management policies such as spawning season, catch bans and using high-selectivity fishing gear are needed to ensure future sustainability of this fishery stock under growing fishing pressures.

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