Population Status of Sardinella longiceps of the Sultanate of Oman: Perspectives of Length-based Approach

Indian Oil Sardine (Sardinella longiceps) is a commercially exploited small pelagic resource in the Indo-Pacific region and it contributes majorly to the total fish catch of the Sultanate of Oman (SO). Stock status of the S. longiceps from the SO was studied between 1997 and 2009 following a length based approach. The stock status of the S. longiceps was evaluated for its sustainable management in the SO. The length (mm) data have been collected in 1997, 2004, 2007 and 2009 for the specimens collected from the Seeb fish market of the SO. Asymptotic lengths (L∞) was 227.95 mm in 1997 and 236.25 mm in 2004; however, in 2007 and 2009 the L∞ (234.15 mm) were similar. The mean growth coefficient (K = 1.06 ± 0.11/year) ranged from 0.94/year to 1.2/year. During the study period (1997–2009), the fishing effort steadily increased (R2 = 0.81, p < 0.01). The catch (R2 = 0.11, p > 0.05) and catch per unit effort (CPUE) (R2 = 0.04, p > 0.05) of the S. longiceps; however, did not varied significantly. The exploitation rates (E) of the S. longiceps in 1997, 2004 and 2009 were > 0.5 and the annual catch of those years were higher than the calculated maximum sustainable yield (MSY). The S. longiceps stock were mostly overexploitaed except in 2007 (E = 0.46/year, catch = 34,280.50 tonnes, MSY = 36,812.58 tonnes). Results are useful for the stock assessment and management of the S. longiceps in the SO and the neighboring countries, which may interest fishery biologists, managers and conservationists.