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This study was conducted to determine catch and fishing effort trends, length and age composition, growth and mortality parameters and estimate biomass and acceptable biological catch of Kutum in the Iranian coastal waters of the Caspian Sea from 2015 to 2017. The catch of Kutum was 4282.9 and 3395.5 tons and CPUE were 98.3 and 80.4 kg/haul in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, respectively. The mean (± SD) of fork length were observed 38.8±6.6 and 37.1±5.6 cm and for total weight were 790.8±435.2 and 637.2±392.2 gram in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, respectively. The most predominated of length class was obtained 34-36 cm in 2015-2016 and from 36-38 to 38-40 cm in 2016-2017 respectively and frequency of immature individuals were observed 48.1 and 55.5 percent during two sampling period, respectively. The range of age was from 2 to 11 year and fish with 3 to 5 years comprised up to 76.6 percent. In length – weight relationship a, b and r2 were calculated 0.01, 3.04 and 0.96 in 2015-2016 and 0.005, 3.19 and 0.92 in 2016-2017 respectively. K value, L∞ and t 0 were calculated 0.2 (/year), 62.3 cm and -0.65 respectively. Mortality parameters such as Z, M and F were calculated 0.72, 0.37 and 0.35 respectively and Exploitation rate were calculated 0.49. The biomass of kutum estimated 25270 tons and the biomass of Kutum decreased in recently years in spite of produce and release of huge fingerlings. This recruitment (produce and release fingerlings) must be continued for stability of stocks and fishing stress must be decrease by anyway. Published

Mullet and mullet products have considerable economic importance at a regional level, especially around the Caspian Sea. The leaping mullet constitutes an important part of their production. This study is the first detailed work on the age and growth of the leaping mullet (Liza saliens) from September 2012 to March 2013 in theSouthern coast of the Caspian Sea.Age and growth determinations were based upon thescale samples taken from 102 fish. Marginal increment analysis was used to validate agedetermination. The back-calculated lengths stage estimated from the scale showed no differences between in this study. The maximum age of leaping mullet in the Southern coast of the Caspian Sea was 5 years for males and 6 years for females.The von Bertalanffy growth functions were Lt=30.415(1-e-0.275(t+0.645)) for males and Lt=34.832(1-e0.211(t+1.009)) for females. A large spread and length overlapcharacterized the age groups. The estimated LengthWeight relationships were common for the two sexes(W=0.079L3 ). The slope (b) values of the length-weight relationship showed that weight of leaping grey mullet in Mazandaran increased associated with length in isometric. The mean condition factor for males, females and all specimens were determined as 0.908, 0.900 and 0.897, respectively. According to sex groups, the mean condition factor of males was slightlyhigher than that of females. The total length for leaping grey mullet was determined as 23.3 cm. Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published

The ichthyology studies at fish tagging was referred to more than 100 years ago. Tagging is utilized for the estimation of stock amount, population frequency and project or calculating of survival and growth value. There are many various methods for fish tagging are used for juvenile to adult fish. The current study was carried out at Ghare-su research station during 2011-2013. 250 of carp fingerlings (Cyprinus carpio) were tagged by bath with tetracycline manner (pH=6, 500mg/l). The fork length and weight of fish were 10-12 mm and 2-4 g, respectively. Also, fish were fed twice a day. The second and third tagging stages were performed at November 2012 and July 2014, respectively. After otolith was extracted, it was washed water and dry at lab room air. The tagged rings or loops (annuali) were observed by lab loupe with 10X and 40 X magnifications. The results showed that a narrow band was formed after the first tagging of carp fingerlings, as it was seen at the end of otolith edge. It was demonstrated that tetracycline was absorbed and the tagged ring or loop (annuli) was newly formed at external or out of othlith edge. There was not observed any fish death, when carp fingerlings were tagged by OTC bath manner. It said that the first OTC band will be seen, the first sign of the formed OTC band was observed at external margin of otoilith after 6th month , of course , from 4th month, this sign was formed at the most external of otoilth edge but with added the following region, it can be hardly distinguished. The formed band in relative to second tagging was similar to the first band but there was no discrepancy or difference with together.

The Caspian Sea is an important source of water in terms of having valuable resources of sturgeon and bony fish is taken into consideration roach(Rutilus rutilus caspicus (L.)) is one of the most important commercial species in the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in Iran , the catch of this species has declined substantially in the last 10 years, The management and exploitation need of comprehensive review of its biology .This study as part of a comprehensive study of feeding , spawning and growth of this species.In this study, using samples caught in beach seine along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea coastal ( Iranian waters ) took place. The fork length and total weight ranged between 12.5 to29.5(cm) and 29 to293( grm),10.5 to23(cm) and17.2 to21(grm) in Golestan and Gilan Province respectively. The b value of the length-weight relationship ranged 3.02 to 3.25 and 3.28 to 3.75 for female and male, in Golestan and Gilan Province respectively. The age composition of the catch was from 1 to 4 year in both Province, there was one spawning peak and Fecundity variations were high and ranged 7260 to 231965 eggs. Average growth in length was described with the Von Bertalanffy growth model: L (t) = 30.94(1-exp (0.42(t-0.18) and L (t) = 20.49(1-exp (0.53(t-1). The percent of empty stomach and prey dominant evaluated during different seasons by specific formula. Result showed that gastropod, Polychaete worms and molluscs were dominated and specific food items respectively. Shrimp, fish, insects, zooplankton and clams were scare of prey. Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published

The ichthyology studies at fish tagging was referred to more than 100 years ago. Tagging is utilized for the estimation of stock amount, population frequency and project or calculating of survival and growth value. There are many various methods for fish tagging are used for juvenile to adult fish. The current study was carried out at Ghare-su research station during 2011-2013. 250 of carp fingerlings (Cyprinus carpio ) were tagged by bath with tetracycline manner (pH=6, 500mg/l). The fork length and weight of fish were 10-12 mm and 2-4 g, respectively. Also, fish were fed twice a day. The second and third tagging stages were performed at November 2012 and July 2014, respectively. After otolith was extracted, it was washed water and dry at lab room air. The tagged rings or loops (annuali) were observed by lab loupe with 10X and 40 X magnifications. The results showed that a narrow band was formed after the first tagging of carp fingerlings, as it was seen at the end of otolith edge. It was demonstrated that tetracycline was absorbed and the tagged ring or loop (annuli) was newly formed at external or out of othlith edge. There was not observed any fish death, when carp fingerlings were tagged by OTC bath manner. It said that the first OTC band will be seen, the first sign of the formed OTC band was observed at external margin of otoilith after 6th month , of course , from 4th month, this sign was formed at the most external of otoilth edge but with added the following region, it can be hardly distinguished. The formed band in relative to second tagging was similar to the first band but there was no discrepancy or difference with together. Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published

Mullet and mullet products have considerable economic importance at a regional level, especially around the Caspian Sea. The leaping mullet constitutes an important part of their production. This study is the first detailed work on the age and growth of the leaping mullet (Liza saliens) from September 2012 to March 2013 in the Southern coast of the Caspian Sea. Age and growth determinations were based upon the scale samples taken from 102 fish. Marginal increment analysis was used to validate age determination. The back-calculated lengths stage estimated from the scale showed no differences between in this study. The maximum age of leaping mullet in the Southern coast of the Caspian Sea was 5 years for males and 6 years for females. The von Bertalanffy growth functions were Lt=30.415(1-e-0.275(t+0.645)) for males and Lt=34.832(1-e 0.211(t+1.009)) for females. A large spread and length overlap characterized the age groups. The estimated Length Weight relationships were common for the two sexes (W=0.079L3 ). The slope (b) values of the length-weight relationship showed that weight of leaping grey mullet in Mazandaran increased associated with length in isometric. The mean condition factor for males, females and all specimens were determined as 0.908, 0.900 and 0.897, respectively. According to sex groups, the mean condition factor of males was slightlyhigher than that of females. The total length for leaping grey mullet was determined as 23.3 cm.

The Caspian Sea is an important source of water in terms of having valuable resources of sturgeon and bony fish is taken into consideration roach(Rutilus rutilus caspicus (L.)) is one of the most important commercial species in the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in Iran , the catch of this species has declined substantially in the last 10 years, The management and exploitation need of comprehensive review of its biology .This study as part of a comprehensive study of feeding , spawning and growth of this species.In this study, using samples caught in beach seine along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea coastal ( Iranian waters ) took place. The fork length and total weight ranged between 12.5 to29.5(cm) and 29 to293( grm),10.5 to23(cm) and17.2 to21(grm) in Golestan and Gilan Province respectively. The b value of the length-weight relationship ranged 3.02 to 3.25 and 3.28 to 3.75 for female and male, in Golestan and Gilan Province respectively. The age composition of the catch was from 1 to 4 year in both Province, there was one spawning peak and Fecundity variations were high and ranged 7260 to 231965 eggs. Average growth in length was described with the Von Bertalanffy growth model: L (t) = 30.94(1-exp (0.42(t-0.18) and L (t) = 20.49(1-exp (0.53(t-1). The percent of empty stomach and prey dominant evaluated during different seasons by specific formula. Result showed that gastropod, Polychaete worms and molluscs were dominated and specific food items respectively. Shrimp, fish, insects, zooplankton and clams were scare of prey.

Concentrations of four heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Zn, and Pb) in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were assessed in winter, spring and summer seasons of the years 2008. Four coastal areas in the west and east, Gomishan Marsh and Gorgan Bay including 11 sites were sampled. After biometrical measurements of the fish, specimens of muscle (104) and liver (36) tissues were immediately frozen and transferred to laboratory for assessment of heavy metal concentration. Dry ash method and atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) of Perkin Almer (400 model, German) were used to assess metals concentration. In the process, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey-test were implemented. Heavy metals concentration in kidney tissue was higher than muscle tissue. In carp muscle tissue, level of zinc was highest and the next categories were those of lead, cadmium and chromium, respectively. A significant difference was observed between chromium concentrations in muscle tissue of Cyprinus carpio with sex (P

Practical phase of the project aimed at studying and determination of the most appropriate time for sturgeon catch was conducted at 10 catch stations (2 in each region) in Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces in 2002 and 2003. Number of catch stations was 4 in Guilan and Mazandaran provinces each and 2 in Golestan province. The project was carried out following the ratifications of the high committee for sustainable utilization of sturgeons which passed through in 2001. Considering the results on factors like average caviar yield, quantity and quality of produced caviar, sex composition of caught spawners and catch per unit effort we found that the average caviar yield of Persian sturgeon in all three Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces was higher in spring catch than autumn and winter and in winter catch was higher than autumn while the amount of caviar obtained was higher in autumn. Considering sex composition percentage of mature female caught was higher in spring than other seasons. Catch stations located in Guilan and western and central Mazandaran showed almost similar condition. Spring catch from late march (last 10 days) up to the 10th of May, autumn catch from late September and early October (23 September- 2 October) to the 1 st December, and winter catch from 1 st to 21st march are suitable period for catch. At the Khazarabad catch station the suitable time of catch differs from other stations therefore the proper time for catch appears to be 10- 20 may in spring and 21- 30 January in winter catch seasons. The quality and quantity of catch is suitable in spring from 21- 31 march to 21- 31 may, in autumn catch from 12- 22 October to 11- 21 December and in winter catch from 9- 19 February to 11- 20 march at catch stations located in Golestan province. As for stellate sturgeon at catch stations of Guilan and Mazandaran provinces the spring catch from 21 march specially from 21 April to 20 June was suitable and all other quantitative and qualitative factors confirmed better quality and quantity of catch in this period (21 April- 20 June) in comparison to other seasons. Gill nets (lower in number as compared to other sturgeons) could be set up beginning from 20 February to 20 March in winter catch. Our study showed quantitative and qualitative increase in catch from 9- 19 April to the end of decade from 22-31 May suggesting a suitable time of catch for stellate sturgeon in Golestan province. Based on our quantitative and qualitative results the summer catch is not suitable for Persian sturgeon and stellate sturgeon and winter catch for stellate sturgeon. Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published

The catch of common carp Cyprinus carpio as a one of important commercial species has been lower than others species such as mahisephid ,kolmeie and kafal. From commercial catch point of view, the catch of kolmeie is not very important, so that its catch was included only 2% of total bony fish catch in three provinces which are located in south of Caspian sea . In spite of lower common carp catch, in comparison with total bony fish catch in Golestan province more than 70% catch was belong to Common carp. The higher catch kolmeie among three provinces was related to Guilan with 46% of total catches. Seasonal changes of common carp catch showed maximum and minimum catch were in April 83 and December 82 respectively. The most of (CPUE) was in April 83 and September, October 82. The trend of kolmeie catch showed low fluctuation. Three age groups were specified in kolmeie age composition high and low percent observed in 2 and 3 age groups respectively. Result of biometric information common carp showed most of catch was under standard fisheries catch. Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published