Population dynamics of the rabbitfish Siganus rivulatus from the Egyptian sector of the Red Sea

الملخص EN

Age, growth, mortality and relative yield per recruit of Siganus rivulatus collected from the Egyptian sector of the Red Sea during the period from October 2000 until May 2001 have been estimated.

Age was determined from otolith measurements and the results showed that the maximum life span of S.

rivulatus is 5 years.

Growth is well described by the von Bertalanffy equation Lt = 37.07 (1–e-0.3966(t+0.186)).

The annual rates of total, natural and fishing mortality were calculated as 1.27, 0.26 and 1.01 yr–1 respectively.

Current exploitation rate 'E' was estimated as 0.80.

The yield per recruit analysis showed that the stock of S.

rivulatus is overexploited.

The fishing mortality should be decreased as well as the length at first capture should be increased to sustain this living marine resource.