REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMON MARINE FISHES IN THE LEBANESE COASTAL FISHERY (Sparidae, Carangidae, Scombridae, Mugilidae, Mullidae, Phycidae, Congridae, Scaridae, Uranoscpidae)

Abstract

Fish reproduction is a dynamic process that allows the perpetuation of species. It has long been a central interest to scientists ever since Aristotle. In the Mediterranean, particularly the eastern Mediterranean, information pertaining to fish reproduction is limited. Attempting to survey the reproductive features of Mediterranean fishes from the Lebanese coast will help fill this gap in the country and the region. The present study aimed at evaluating the population structure and reproductive characteristics of native fishes of commercial interest in Lebanon by assessing spawning periods and sizes at first maturity, as well as analyzing length frequencies, sex ratios, gonadosomatic and hepato-somatic indices and condition factors. From the large number of commercially important fishes in Lebanon, 28 were included in this study from nine different families (Sparidae, Carangidae, Scombridae, Mugilidae, Mullidae, Phycidae, Congridae, Scaridae, Uranoscopidae). Fishes were acquired on weekly basis during the reproductive season for two consecutive years. Data was collected and analyzed following standard procedures. Results give a basic idea on the biology of most species, but were not sufficient to describe their reproductive periods. Several challenges and obstacles were encountered including a low sample size or scarcity of mature individuals for some species. The economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic also occurred during the sampling periods.