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Persian Gulf waters (Hormuzgan Province) were studied from seasonally to determine the best locations for installation of artificial reefs. The area was stratified for 10 transects and each transect was divided into three stations: Station 1 for waters below 10m, station 2 for waters between 10 and 20m and station 3 for waters between 20 and 30m deep. Habitats of fauna and flora including communities of corals, seaweeds, sea cucumbers and sea grasses and sedimentation depth through scuba diving were studied in each transect and sub-transects. Sea grass communities existed in some spots within station 1 in Bandar Mesan, Bandar Lengeh, Kish Island and Bandar Chirooyeh transects, while for station 2, sea grasses were absent from Chirooyeh transect and present in Bandar Mesan, Bandar Kong and Kish Island transects. Also, seaweed habitats existed in station 1 in Bandar Mesan transect and some areas in Bandar Lengeh transect. Study of coral and sea cucumber communities indicated existence of Acropora sp. habitats in Bahman jetty, Bandar Mesan and Bandar Bostaneh transects, Porites sp. habitat in Hengam Island transect, Holothuria sp. habitats in Bandar Mesan and Bandar Lengeh transects and Stichopus sp. habitat in Hengam Island transect. All of these habitats were located in station 1 and had patchy distribution which was drawn in GIS software. Calculated sedimentation depth using degree scale in different transects demonstrated statistically significant differences between station 1 in Bandar Salakh transect and the same stations in other transects, also between station 2 and station 3 in other transects (P<0.05). The result of sedimentation depth assessment showed that station 2 in Bandar Lengeh area up to Hendurabi Island were better for artificial reefs installation compared to south of Gheshm Island with the exception of Bandar Kong and Bandar Chirooyeh transects. *Corresponding author

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To determine the suitable locations for installation of artificial reefs we studied Persian Gulf waters (Hormuzgan province) from December 2006 to March 2007 seasonally. The area was stratified to 10 transects and each transect was divided to three layers and used random sampling method. Habitats of fauna and flora including: Communities of corals, seaweeds, sea cucumbers and sea grasses, and sedimentation depth using SCUBA diving method were studied in each transect and layer. Sea grass communities existed in some places with below 10m depth of Bandar Mesan, Bandar Kang, Kish Island and Bandar Chirooyeh transects. Also, seaweed habitats were seen in Bandar Mesan and some areas in Bandar Lengeh and Kish Island in 10-20m depth transect. The study of coral and sea cucumber communities indicated presence of Acropora sp. habitats in Bahman jetty, Bandar Mesan and Bandar Bostaneh transects , and Porites sp. habitats in Hengam island transect, Holothuria sp. habitats in Bandar masen and Bandar Lengeh transects and Stichopus sp. habitat in Hengam Island transect. All these species were found in shallow waters bellow 10 meters depth and showed a patchy distribution. Sedimentation depth results showed a statistically significant difference between layer <10m in Bandar Salakh and the same layers in other transects, also between layer 10-20m and 20-30m in other transects. Based on the sedimentation depth and habitats studies, we recommend layer 10-20m in Bandar Lengeh area and Bandar Lengeh to Hendurabi Island area as suitable for artificial reefs installation. *Corresponding author

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Population parameters of Whipfin silver-biddy (Gerres filamentosus) and Longtail silverbiddy (Gerres longirostris) were studied from January to December 2006 in three creeks (Markazi, Khalasi and Gabrik) of Hara protected area in Jask, Oman Sea. All fishes were sampled by boat trawl and beach seine. Growth parameters were determined using the monthly length–frequency parameters. The Mean total length was calculated at 6.2 and 5.4cm for Whipfin silver-biddy and Longtail silver-biddy. The values of L∞ and K for Whipfin silver-biddy were 16.8cm and 0.99 yr-1 and for Longtail silver-biddy, these were 15cm and 0.77 yr-1, respectively. The value of to was calculated at -0.12 year for both species. The longevity was estimated to be 3 years for Whipfin silver-biddy and 3.8 years for Longtail silver-biddy. The length-weight relationship were determined as W= 0.0088 L3.21 and W= 0.0087L 3.18 for Whipfin silver-biddy and Longtail silver-biddy, respectively. Results showed the fish were in their juvenile stage which emphasized the supporting roles of creeks for Gerridae as nursery ground. * Corresponding author

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Batoidfishes are one of the most important groups of by-catch in the Persian Gulf. This survey was done for identification of skates and rays, inhabiting in the Persian Gulf and Omen Sea waters (Hormuzgan Province). The samples were collected by bottom trawl. The identified Skates were Rhinbatus granulatus, R. punctifer and Rhina ancylostoma (Rhinobatidae) and Rhynchobatus djiddensis (Rhynchobatidae). Mobula diabulus (Mobulidae), Himantura gerrardi, Himantura sp., Himantura imbricata, Urogymnus africanus, Pastinachus sephen, Himantura uarnak (Dasyatidae), Gymnura poecilura (Gymnuridae), Rhinoptera javanica (Rhinopteridae) and Aetobatos flagellum, Aetobatus narinari, Aetomylaeus nichofii and Aetomylaeus maculates (Myliobatidae) were recognized, that all belonged to Rays group. In addition, Torpedo sinuspesici and T. panthera (Torpedinidae) and Narcine sp. (Narcinidae) were reported from other families. Furthermore, Narcine sp., Himantura sp. and Urogymnus africanus are reported for the first time in the study area.

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Slender Mudskipper (Scartelaos tenuis) is one of the dominant fishes in inter-tidal mud flats area. Reproduction and population parameters of 2047 Slender mudskipper were studied monthly from october 2008 to september 2009. The asymptotic length (L∞) and growth coefficient (K) were estimated as 19.43(cm) and 0.64(yr-1), respectively. The minimum and maximum T.L. was 1.1 and 19.5cm, respectively. The value of to was -8.28, and Tmax was 4.6 year. The growth equation of Von Bertalanffy was obtained at L(t) = 19.43(1- exp (-0.64(t- (-0.28))) for this species. The rates of natural mortality (M) on Pauly's empirical equation, was estimated 1.51 (yr-1). Five cohorts were distinguished annualy on Bhattacharya's method with mean length of 7.89, 11.42, 13.86, 15.6 and 16.81cm. Maximum recruitment was in Seprember at 18.8 percent. Reproductive studies showed that peak of maturity season occurred in April. The female to male ratio was calculated as 1:1.47 and chi-square analysis showed that it was statistically significant deviated from 1:1. LM50 is attained at a total length of 13.3cm. The mean of absolute and relative fecundity were 6742 (±1939) and 707 (±210), respectively. The length-weight relationship was as W= 0.02735 L 2.1655, that was isometric growth. Result showed that slender mudskipper population was in congenial condition, nevertheless less not evaluated.

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Bleaching phenomenon was observed in coral communities by Coral Watch method and Photo-transect in Hendorabi Island in Sep.2016.Coral health indices were estimated E1 (complete whitening), E₆ (Complete health)and E₄ (whitish) for Acropora spp., Hydnophora spp. And Hydnophora spp., also temperature was measured 33.1 ° C around coral colonies. The results of this study showed that the colonies of branching corals are completely whitened, but massive corals can withstand environmental temperature stresses, although some of them have an E4 index and, it is more critical to assume that these species can not relieve themselves of environmental temperature stresses. Since the coral ecosystem, especially the branching coral, has ecological and fishery value for the ornamental fish and larvae of some commercial fish, so health monitoring of the corals is recommended in order to environmental management.

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This study uses data of 5 Iranian industrial purse seiners that fish on free school tuna species in the Oman Sea. The catch data from 2015 to 2019 in the Oman Sea waters were used. The essential fish habitat of Thunnus tonggol was modeled using Satellite remote sensing (HYCOM. and MODIS). Redundancy analysis (RDA) was applied to provide a preliminary view of relationships between fish presence/absence and environmental variables, followed by the application of the Generalized Additive Model (GAM). According to GAM the presence/absence of T. tonggol is related to Latitude, Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Sea surface current velocity, and sea surface salinity (SSS). EFH maps were generated using GAM model based on the probability of the presence of T. tonggol. Latitude 23N to 25N degrees and longitude 57E to 60 E degrees are the preferred habitats of T. tonggol that are distributed in high density in these areas and indicate the habitat of this species in the continental shelf and coastal waters. Based on the analysis the distribution and density of T. tonggol on the east side of the Oman Sea Iranian waters, from Beris to Gwatar Bay, could be neglectable. Based on the results of the present study, it seems that, although, the relationship between chlorophyll-a concentration, sea surface height (SSH) and distribution, of T. tonggol is statistically significant, still the Latitude, Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Sea surface current velocity, and Sea surface salinity (SSS are the most important factors affecting the abundance of this species in the region.

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In this research, the frequency of coral fishes from Hengam Island were studied seasonally from summer of 2020 to the spring of 2021 by Underwater Visual Census (UVCm) and belt transect method. A total of 38 species were identified in five selected stations, of which 31 species were herbivorous fishes,  Pomacentridae and Labridae families had the highest frequency with 7 and 4 species. The abundance of herbivorous fish Thalassoma lunare was estimated at 80(±71) number per square kilometer in station two. In addition, two species of parrotfish (Scarus persicus and Scarus ghobban) were the most frequent in all stations. The highest seasonal frequency of herbivorous fishes was recorded at station 2 in winter 58(±12) numbers per square kilometer and the lowest at station 3 in summer 5(±21) numbers per square kilometer. The seasonal abundance of herbivorous fishes were significantly differ between stations, except in summer (p<0.05). The temporal and spatial changes in the abundance of herbivorous fish in the stations indicate the importance of selective performance of fishes for ecological niche. In this regard, the role of functional redundancy is more effective than the role of functional complement among these fishes in the biological future of the coral communities of Hengam Island. Therefore, it is recommended to protect the coral fish stock of the island.

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The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on job opportunities losing and life quality reduction of the traditional fisherman community of Iran in order to guide the interventions to maintain the employment and provide the livelihood of the fishing communities were studied in 2021 through an online electronic questionnaire. The data collection was done in a simple random way by sending the link of the questionnaire to the fishing community using the WhatsApp social network. The data quantification method was used to describe the results. A total of 693 questionnaires were received, of which 98.6% were men and 1.4% were women. On the other hand, 76.9% of the interviewees were young people under 50 years old. The results showed that 61.3% of the interviewees confirmed that at least one of their family members lost their job, 84.5% stated that their income decreased, and about 83.2% declared that they had lost their jobs for more than a month due to the spread of the Corona virus. Staying at home to avoid being exposed to the disease as the main reason for unemployment was declared by 65.3% of interviewers. Almost 32% of interviewees stated that they have the possibility of finding an alternative job, and among them, free labor jobs with 42.5% and agriculture with 25.8% were the most important alternative ways of generating income. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected the livelihood of the Iranian fishing society, 89.3% of the fishing society was generally worried about preparing food during the Covid-19 pandemic period, and 59.6% were not able to provide their health and medical items. The results of this research recommend the intervention measures of the government regarding the livelihood of the fishing community during unemployment due to crises.