Abstract:
This study was carried out to throw light on the expected negative effect of
fish overexploitation on the Red Sea coral reef healthy. Lethrinus nebulosus
is represented the most important coral reef fishes commercially and economically.
Age, growth, mortality of L. nebulosus was estimated using the fish otoliths
reading as well as the feeding behavior was analyzed. Estimated life span was
ten years. Estimated growth parameters were, asymptotic length (L∞) =
81.6 and growth co-efficient (K) = 0.161 year-1. Total, natural and
fishing mortality rates were Z = 0.722, M = 0.237 and F = 0.485, respectively.
Exploitation ratio was estimated as E = 0.67. Analysis of stomach contents revealed
that L. nebulosus is a heavily carnivore’s fish, feed on Crustaceans,
Fish, Echinoderms and Mollusks. Small fish ≤25.0 cm feed mainly on crustaceans.
Crustaceans, fishes, Cephalopods and mollusks are recorded in lengths ≥35.0
cm while the lengths ≥55.0 cm, Echinoderms dominate as the fish gets larger.
Results raveled that large individuals of L. nebulosus feeding mainly
on Echinoderms are exposed to a heavily overexploitation. The decline of large
individuals lead to the over spreading of acanthasters which has a feeding ability
to attack coral polyps affecting coral reefs healthy. Results expected that
the depletion of functionally important consumer’s by over-exploitation
can indirectly influence coral reef ecosystem.
Manal M. Sabrah and Azza A. El-Ganainy, 2013. Some Consideration on Overexploitation of Coral Reef Fish in Relation to Coral Reef Degradation in El-Tour, South Sinai, Egyptian Red Sea Coast. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 8: 673-685.
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