Stock assessment of Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758), Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758), Diplodus sargus sargus (Valenciennes, 1830) and comparative study with previous stock assessment of 2011-2012

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to carry out a biological study and a stock assessment of the three commercial species: Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) of the Subphylum Crustacea, Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758) and Diplodus sargus sargus. In addition, a comparative study between a previous assessment (2011-2012) and this one (2014-2015) was conducted on the two commercial species B. boops and D. sargus sargus. A length-based single species stock assessment methodology was adopted, which uses length frequencies to determine if a stock is overfished. Stocks of P. pelagicus, B. boops and D. sargus sargus were assessed based on length frequencies and the Catch/Effort data collected by the Marine and Coastal Resources Program (MCR) at the Institute of the Environment (IOE), at the University of Balamand (UOB) within the context of the FLOUCA WEB. The biological parameters evaluated are related to reproduction, maturity, and growth of the three species. After calculating (χ2), the data analyses and correlation clarified the relationship between the two stock assessments, and examined the changes leading us to a conclusion that there is no significant difference in most of the biological and growth parameters of the B. Boop and D, sargus sargus species over the period of time between the two studies conducted.