F Al-Kiyumi
S. F Mehanna
L Al- Kharusi

The King soldier bream Argyrops spinifer at Arabian Sea (Omani waters) was assessed using Beverton and Holt yield per recruit model. A total of ۵۵۲۰ specimens were collected during five trawl surveys between September ۲۰۰۷ and August ۲۰۰۸. The maximum life span was ۱۱ years for length range of ۱۱.۰ – ۶۲.۱ cm TL. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were K = ۰.۲۲ year-۱, L∞ = ۶۵.۵۱ cm, to = -۰.۷۵ year and W∞ = ۵۴۳۰g. The rates of total mortality Z, natural mortality M and fishing mortality F were ۰.۸۵, ۰.۲۶ and ۰.۵۹ year-۱ respectively. The exploitation ratio E was ۰.۶۹ indicating the high level of exploitation. The estimated total length at ۵۰% maturity was ۳۱.۸ cm. Yield per recruit analysis revealed over-fished stock conditions particularly because small fish are effectively unprotected by current minimum size regulations. Therefore measures such as closed seasons or changes in fishing patterns would be desirable to safeguard the spawning stock and recruits. Also, the commercial fishery of Arabian Sea, Oman should be subjected to a total allowable catch and a maximum size limit be implemented.

Arabian Sea, Argyrops spinifer, age validation, per-recruit analysis, fisheries regulations