Harvest status of Kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis Cantor, 1849) assesment using a limited data approach in the southern waters of Iran (Persian Gulf and Oman Sea)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Offshore Fisheries Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Chabahar, Iran.

2 . Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Tehran, Iran.

3 Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Institute, Iranian Fisheries Sciences Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar Abbas, Iran.

4 Caspian Sea Ecology Research Institute, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Sari, Iran.

10.22059/jfisheries.2025.391316.1452

Abstract

The Persian Gulf and the Sea of ​​Oman contain various species of aquatic animals, among which tuna is of great importance, and Kawakawa tuna (Euthynnus affinis) is one of the tuna species that catch has shown a significant decrease in recent years. In this study, the population characteristics and stock status of Kawakawa tuna were estimated by collecting length frequency data from 7 fishing discharge areas including Pasabandar, Brise, Konarak, Pezam (Sitan and Baluchestan provinces), as well as the ports of Jask, Kong, and Javad al-Aimeh or Parsian (Hormozgan province) and as well as catches time series data on in the southern waters of the country. In this study, a total 3684 fish were biometrically measured at the research stations: growth indices including L∞= 90 cm, growth rate (yr-1)= 0.49, natural mortality (M= 0.55 yr-1), fishing mortality (yr-1)= 1.03, total mortality (yr-1)= 1.58, and exploitation rate (yr-1)= 0.65, and time to zero length were calculated as -0.24. The values ​​of the length-based spawning potential ratio (LBSPR) index provide estimates of the spawning potential ratio (SPR) and in this study indicate the average stock status (LBSPR= 0.54). The mean (maximum-minimum) indices of B/BMSY, F/FMSY, and saturation (S=B/K) of the CMSY model was calculated as 0.85(0.82-0.95), 1.16(0.96-1.20), 0.42 (0.40-0.51), respectively. The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of the CMSY model was estimated at 27 (25-32) thousand tons. Based on the results obtained, the status of the Kawakawa tuna harvest in the country southern waters has been from full exploitation (yellow) to overfishing (red), and for this reason, a precautionary approach should be considered in the management and exploitation of this species.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Fisheries
Volume 78, Issue 3
October 2025
Pages 231-245

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