The Length - Weight Relationship and Growth Parameters of the Halfbeak Hemiramphus far (family: Hemiramphidae) from Bardawil Lagoon, North Sinai, Egypt

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the black-barred halfbeak (Hemiramphus far) in Bardawil Lagoon, North Sinai, Egypt, focusing on key parameters such as length at first capture, growth metrics, mortality rates, and relative yield per recruit. Data were collected monthly from May to December 2022, comprising a total of 1,593 fish samples from commercial catches in the lagoon. The fish that were sampled ranged in length and weight from 17 to 36.7cm and 22 to 247.3g, respectively, with an average of 23.84cm and 85.67g. The formula for the length-weight relationship of the studied species was W = 0.0029 TL 3.2286. This study showed four age groups. The estimated von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L∞ = 37.8cm and k = 0.48 year-1. It was found that the growth performance index (𝛷′) was 2.84. An estimate of the length at first capture was 20.89cm. The length at first capture was determined to be 20.89cm. The mortality rates were calculated as follows: total mortality (Z) at 2.15, natural mortality (M) at 0.95, and fishing mortality (F) at 1.2 year−1. The exploitation rate (E) was found to be 0.56, indicating overfishing and high fishing pressure on the population. The relative yield per recruit analysis (Y'/R) showed that the current exploitation level significantly exceeds the sustainable threshold (E0.5=0.383). To sustainably manage this resource, the current exploitation rate needs to be reduced by 32%, decreasing from 0.56 to 0.383. The findings from this investigation are critical for the assessment and management of the H. far fishery in Bardawil Lagoon, ensuring the sustainability of this important fish species.