A review of the biology, stock status and population dynamic parameters of the Narrow - barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

The Narrow – barred Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus commerson (Lacepede, 1800), forms a large component of catches in the northern part of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. It is mainly caught with gillnets. In spite of stable fishing effort data about 6500 fishing crafts engaged in tuna fisheries in the last decade, but the S.commerson catch amounts are increasing from 10292 mt in 2008 to 16510 mt in 2012. There are available references related to biology, including reproduction, feeding and population dynamics but the difficulties we face in monitoring and assessment are not these fundamental characteristics of the species, but those that relate to local boundaries are, how large and productive these local stocks are, and, what the real impact is by fishers on local population. It is clear that the primary research problems are about developing methods that yield information on these aspects of the different sub region fishery in the IOTC area. The initiatives of any one of the littoral states alone would not be sufficient to achieve resource management objectives. This review aims to address some of the perceived barriers to an enhanced approach that integrates molecular data and other demographic studies into management and conservation goals, by reviewing papers. Moreover Results revealed that adopting a single stock model and regional shared management could probably be appropriate for sustainable long-term use of this important resource in the north western Indian Ocean, except genetic studies reveal two separate stocks.