Yield-per-recruit and egg-per-recruit analyses of the Omani abalone, Haliotis mariae

Abstract

The fecundity, size at sexual maturity, sex ratios and total mortality of Haliotis mariae on the Dhofar coast of the northern Arabian Sea were measured. These data, and estimates of the growth rate, were used for yield-per-recruit and egg-per-recruit analyses. Maximum yields occur at 3+ to 4+ years of age, depending on the natural mortality rate chosen. At the present age at first capture egg production levels are 2-29% of the unfished stock, depending on estimates of the fishing mortality rate and the natural mortality rate, and are considered to be far too low to maintain recruitment. At 40% egg production, of the maximum possible the age at first capture is 4 to 4.5 years, i.e. 105-115 mm shell length, depending on site.