Stock of pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus was evaluated using specimens that collected monthly from the commercial fishing boats at landing sites along whole the Egyptian Mediterranean coast during 2012. Specimens were ranged from 5 to 83cm (TL) in length with an average 43.01± 13.5cm and total weight from 2.1-5400g with an average of 1103.27±850.83 g. The length-weight relationship revealed negative allometric growth for males, females and combined sexes with insignificant difference between males and females at (P > 0. 05). The highest condition factor (1. 13) was recorded for immature/smaller fishes while the lowest value 0. 86 was recorded for largest female individual. Age determination by two methods (length frequency analysis and vertebrae) revealed seven years old with no significance difference between mean lengths at age of two methods at (P > 0. 05). Von Bertalanffy growth parameters for combined sexes of length frequency were L∞ = 106.34 cm, K = 0.17 year-1 and to = 0.0228 year-1, while they were L∞ = 101.63cm and K = 0.189 year-1 and to = 0.1186 for vertebrae data. By using data of length frequency, the population parameters were, total mortality (Z=1. 01 year-1), natural mortality (M= 0. 347 year-1), fishing mortality (F= 0. 663 year) and exploitation ratio (E= 0. 657). The length at first capture (Lc) was 32. 34cm, while length at recruitment (Lr) was 25. 95cm. Yield per recruit (Y/R) at current parameters was 447.26g. The maximum sustainable yield per recruit (MSY) was 467. 42g, at fishing mortality (FMSY) 0.403 year-1 Which is lower than current fishing mortality. The (Y/R) at the biological reference points (F0. 1 & Fmax) were 423.72 g and 467.42g respectively. The fishing mortalities at these points were 0. 203 year-1 and 0. 403 year-1 for F0. 1 and Fmax respectively giving lower values than current fishing mortality reflecting over-exploitation status. Inspite of, the fishing of pufferfish is prohibited by the Egyptian law, its stock in the eastern Mediterranean is overexploited but still growing well and the younger individuals are in good condition reflecting a good adaptation in new habitat, and explain the illegal trade of this species in different markets. The over exploitation suggests reduce it or Y/R to level of F0. 1 for the point of conservation regardless its poisonous effect. The importance of present data of such species could emphasis the need of special management plan for conserve and better use of economically valuable fishery resources.
Published in |
American Journal of Life Sciences (Volume 3, Issue 6-1)
This article belongs to the Special Issue New Horizons in Basic and Applied Zoological Research |
DOI | 10.11648/j.ajls.s.2015030601.22 |
Page(s) | 83-93 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Stock Status, L. sceleratus, Mediterranean Sea, Egypt
[1] | D. Edelist, G. Rilov, D. Golani, J. T. Carlton, and E. Spanier, “Restructuring the Sea: profound shifts in the world’s most invaded marine ecosystem” Diversity and Distributions, 1-9pp, 2012. |
[2] | A. Zenetos, S. Gofas, C. Morri, D. Rosso, D. Violanti, J. E. García Raso, M. E. Çinar, A. AlmogI-Labin, A.S. Ates, E. Azzurro, E. Ballesteros, C.N.Bianchi,, M. Bilecenoglu, M.C. Gambi, A. Giangrande, C. Gravili, O. Hyams-kaphzan, P.K. Karachle, S. Katsanevakis, L. Lipej, F. Mastrototaro, F. Mineur, , M. A Pancucci-Papadopoulou, A. Ramos Esplá, C. Salas, G. San Martín, A. Sfriso, N. Streftaris, and M.Verlaque, “Alien species in the Mediterranean Sea by 2012. A contribu¬tion to the application of European Union’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Part 2. Introduction trends and pathways” Mediterranean Marine Science, 13:pp328-352, 2012. |
[3] | D. Golani, “Colonization of the Mediterranean by Red Sea fishes via the Suez Canal—Lessepsian migration. Pp. 145–188. In: Golani D., Appelbaum-Golani B. (eds.) Fish invasions of the Mediterranean Sea: Change and renewal. Pensoft, Sofia, 2010. |
[4] | M. Oral, “Alien Fish Species in the Mediterranean - Black Sea Basin”. Journal of Black Sea/ Mediterranean Environment, 16 (1): pp 87-132, 2010. |
[5] | K. D. Simon, and A. G. Mazlan,“Length-Weight and Length-Length Relationships of Archer and Puffer Fish Species”. The Open Fish Science Journal, 1:pp19-22, 2008. |
[6] | J. F. Gmelin, “Caroli a Linné, systema naturae”. Tom. I. Pars III. – pp. 1033–1516. Lipsiae. (Beer), 1789. |
[7] | M. M. Smith, and P. C. Heemstra, “Tetraodontidae. In: Smith MM, Heemstra PC (eds) Smiths' sea fishes” Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 894-903pp, 1986. |
[8] | J. L. May, and J. G. H. Maxwell, “Trawl fish from temperate waters of Australia”. CSIRO Division of Fish. Res., Tasmania, 1986. |
[9] | H. Filiz, and M. Er, "Akdeniz’in Yeni Misafiri" (New guests in the Mediterranean Sea)” Deniz Magazin Dergisi, 3(68), pp 52-54, 2004. |
[10] | O. Akyol, V. Unal, T. Ceyhan, and M. Bilecenoglu, “First confirmed record of Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) in the Mediterranean” J. Fish Biology, 66: pp1183-1186, 2005. |
[11] | M. Bilecenoglu, M. Kaya, and S. Akalin, “Range expansion of silverstripe blaasop, Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789), to the northern Aegean Sea” Aqua. Invas., 1 (4): 289-291, 2006. |
[12] | D. Golani, and Y. Levy, “New records and rare occurrences of fish species from the Mediterranean coast of Israel” Zoology of Middle East 36: 27-32pp, 2005. |
[13] | M. Corsini, P. Margies, G. Kondilatos, and P. S. Economidis, “Three new exotic fish records from the SE Aegean Greek waters” Scientia Marina, 70: pp319-323, 2006. |
[14] | S. Kalogirou, “Ecological characteristics of the invasive pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) in Rhodes, Eastern Mediterranean Sea”. A case study. Mediterranean Marine science, 14 (2): pp251-260., 2013. |
[15] | P. Kasapidis, P. Peristeraki, G. Tserpes, and A. Magoulas, “First record of the Lessepsian migrant Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin 1789) (Osteichthyes: Tetraodontidae) in the Cretan Sea (Aegean, Greece)”. Aquat. Invas., 2 (1): pp71-73, 2007. |
[16] | P. Carpentieri, S. Lelli, F. Colloca, C. Mohanna, V. Bartolino, S. Moubayed. and G. D. Ardizzone, “Incidence of lessepsian migrants on landings of the artisanal fishery of south Lebanon” Mar. Biodiv. Records 2: e71, http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1017/S1755267209000645., 2009. |
[17] | P. Katikou, D.mailto:biotoxin@otenet.grGeorgantelis, N. Sinouris, A. Petsi, and T. Fotaras, “First report on toxicity assessment of the Lessepsian migrant pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) from European waters (Aegean Sea, Greece)” Toxicon, 54 (1): pp50-55., 2009. |
[18] | G. Minos, T. Karidas, M. Corsini-Foka, and P.S. Economidis, “New data on the geographical distribution of the invasive Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) in North Aegean”. In: Proceedings of the 14th Panhellenic Conference of Ichthyologists, 6-9 May 2010, Piraeus, Greece, pp 283-286, 2010. |
[19] | I. Jribi, and M. N. Bradai, “First record of the Lessepsian migrant species Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontidae) in the Central Mediterranean” Bioinvas. Rec., 1 (1):pp 49–52, 2012. |
[20] | A. El- Haweet, M. R. Fishar, Y. Geneid, and E. Abdel-Moula, “Assessment of fisheries and marine biodiversity of Sallum Gulf, Egypt” Inter. J. Envir. Scie. Engin. (IJESE), 1:pp 21-34, 2011. |
[21] | Y. Halim, and S. Rizkalla, “Aliens in Egyptian Mediterranean waters. A check-list of Erythrean fish with new records” Medit. Mari. Sci., 12: pp479-490, 2011. |
[22] | E. Azzurro, L. Castriota, M. Falautano, F. Giardina, F. Andaloro, “ The silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) reaches Italian waters”. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 30, pp1050-1052, 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jai.12471. |
[23] | F. Tiralongo, D. Tibullo, “Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789), (Pisces: Tetraodontidae) reaches the Italian Ionian Sea, pp 203–204. In: Kapiris et al. (2014) New Mediterranean Marine Biodiversity Records” Mediterranean Marine Science, 15(1),pp 198–212, 2014. |
[24] | J. D. Šprem, T. Dobroslavić, V. Kožul, A. Kuzman, J. Dulčić, “First record of Lagocephalus sceleratus in the Adriatic Sea (Croatian coast), a Lessepsian migrant. Cybium 38(2):pp 147– 148, 2014. |
[25] | A. Izquierdo-Muñoz, and D. Izquierdo-Gomez, “First record of Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) (Actinopterygii, Tetraodontidae) on the Mediterranean Spanish coast, pp 686- 687. In: Katsanevakis S et al. (2014), New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (October, 2014)” Mediterranean Marine Science 15(3), pp675–695, 2014. |
[26] | M. H. Kara, E. Ben Lamine and P. Francour, “Range expansion of an invasive pufferfish, Lagocephalus sceleratus (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontidae), to the south-western Mediterranean” Actaichthyologica et piscatorial, 45 (1), pp 103–108, 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.3750/AIP2014.45.1.13. |
[27] | A. Deidun, A. Fenech-Farrugia, L. Castriota, M. Falautano, E. Azzurro and F. Andaloro, “First record of the silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) from Malta. BioInvasions Records, vol. 4 (2), pp139–142, 2015. |
[28] | M. Bariche, Y. Letourneur. and M. Harmelin-Vivien, “Temporal Fluctuations and settlement patterns of native and Lessepsian herbivorous fishes on the Lebanese coast (Eastern Mediterranean)” Envir. Biol. Fishes, 70, pp81-90, 2004. |
[29] | IUCN - ISSG, “Aliens” 27:pp1-30, 2008. |
[30] | M. M. Sabrah, A. A. El-Ganainy, and M. A. Zaky, “Biology and toxicity of the pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) from the Gulf of Suez. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research, 32 (1):pp 283-279, 2006. |
[31] | E. D. Le-Cern, “The length-weight relationship and seasonal cycle in gonad weight and condition in perch Perca fluviatilis”. J. Anim. Ecol., 20 (2), pp 201-219, 1951. |
[32] | G. W. Snedecor, “ Statistical methods applied to experiments in agriculture and biology” The low state University Press, U. S. A., 534 pp, 1956. |
[33] | T. B. Bagenal, and F. W. Tesch, “Age and growth. In methods for the assessment of fish production in freshwaters (Ed. T.B. Bagenal) 3rd ed. I. B. P. Handbook, Blackwell, Oxford, pp 93-130, 1878. |
[34] | C. G. Bhattacharya, “A simple method of resolution of a distribution into Gaussian components”. Biometrics, 23 (1): pp115-135, 1967. |
[35] | J. F. Gayanilo, P. Sparre, and D. Pauly, “The FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tools (FiSAT)”. FAO Computerized Information Series (Fisheries). Rome, FAO. , 8, 1997. |
[36] | E. Ford, “An account of the herring investigation counductive at Plymouth during the years from 1929-1933”. J. Marine Biol., Ass. U. K., 19, pp 305-384, 1933. |
[37] | L. A. Walford, “A new graphic method of describing the growth of animals” Bulletin of Biology, 90 (2), pp141-147, 1946. |
[38] | D. Pauly, and J. L. Munro, “Once more on the comparison of growth in fish and invertebrates” International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), Fish byte, 2 (1): 21, 1984. |
[39] | D. Pauly, “Some simple methods for assessment of tropical fish stocks. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper, Rome, 52- 234, 1983. |
[40] | 1980 D. Pauly, “On the interrelationships between natural mortality, growth parameters and mean environmental temperature in 175 fish stocks”. J. Cons. CIEM, 39 (3), pp175-192, 1980. |
[41] | M. A. Said, I. A. Gerges, I. A. Mayiza, M. A. Hussain, and A. A. Radwan, (2009): Investigation changes in the Atlantic waters Characteristics along the Egyptian Mediterranean Coast. OceanObs'09 Conference, 21-25 September 2009 - Venice, Italy, p 26, 2009. |
[42] | R. J. H. Beverton, and S. J. Holt, “On the dynamics of exploited fish population” U. K. Ministry of Agriculture of Fisheries Investment, Serial, 19:533p, 1957. |
[43] | W. E. Ricker, “Computation and interpretation of biological statistics of fish population”. Bulletin Fisheries Research Bd. Canada, 119: 200p, 1975. |
[44] | R. J. H. Beverton, and S. J. Holt, A review of methods for estimating mortality rates in exploited fish populations, with special reference to sources of bias in catch sampling. Rapp. P.-v. Reun. CIEM, 140:pp 67–83., 1956. |
[45] | J. A. Gulland, “The fish resources of the oceans”. Fishing News Books Ltd., England. 255p, 1971. |
[46] | J. A. Gulland, “Manual of methods for fish stock assessment. Part I. Fish population analysis”. FAO Man. Fisheries science, 4, pp154, 1969. |
[47] | J. A. Gulland, and L. K. Borema, “Scientific advice on catch levels”. Fish. Bull., 71 (2):pp325-335, 1973. |
[48] | L. E. Cadima, “Fish stock assessment manual” FAO Fisheries Technical Paper. No. 303. Rome, FAO, 161pp, 2003. |
[49] | Statistica, “Statsoft-Inc for Windows Release”, U.S.A, 2007. |
[50] | P. Sparre, and S. C. Venema, “ Introduction to tropical fish stock assessment” Part I-manual, FAO Fisheries Technical paper, 306/1 Rev. 1. 1992. |
[51] | M. Aydin, “Growth, reproduction and diet of pufferfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus Gmelin, 1789) from Turkey’s Mediterranean Sea coast” Turkish J. Fish. Aqua. Sci., 11: pp589-596., (2011). |
[52] | D. Edelist, “New length–weight relationships and Lmax values for fishes from the Southeastern Mediterranean Sea” J. Applied Ichthyology, 30 (3): pp521-526, 2012. |
[53] | L. Boustany, S. EL Indary and M. Nader, “Biological characteristics of the Lessepsian pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) off Lebanon”. Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 56, pp137-142, 2015. |
[54] | M. M. S. Farrag, “Fisheries and Biological studies on Lessepsian pufferfish, Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) (Family: Tetraodontidae) in the Egyptian Mediterranean Waters” Ph.D, Thesis, Fac. Sci., Al-Azhar Univ., (Assuit), Egypt, 2014. |
[55] | W. Kimmerer, S. R. Avent, S. M. Bollens, F. Feyrer, F. L. Grimaldo, P.B. Moyle, M. Nobriga, and T. Visintainer, “Variability in Length-Weight Relationships used to estimate biomass of estuarine fish from survey data”. Trans Am Fish Society, 134: pp481-495, 2005. |
[56] | M. Kulbicki, N. Guillemot and M. Amand, “A general approach to length-weight relationships for New Caledonian lagoon Fishes”. Cybium, 29 (3): pp235-252, 2005. |
[57] | A. Başusta, N. Başusta, and E. I. Özer, “Length-Weight Relationship of Two Puffer Fishes, Lagocephalus sceleratus and Lagocephalus spadiceus, From Iskenderun Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean, Turkey” . Pakistan J. Zoology, 45(4): pp1047-1051, 2013. |
[58] | N. Michailidis, “ Study on the lessepsian migrant Lagocephalus sceleratus in Cyprus” East Med Subregional Technical Meeting on the Lessepsian migration and its Impact on Eastern Mediterranean Fishery, pp 74-87, 2010. |
[59] | K. F. Lagler, “Fresh water fishery biology”. (W. M. C., Brown ed) Comp, Dubuque, Iowa, 421 pp, 1956. |
[60] | M.L. Harmelin-Vivien, R. A. Kaim-Malka, M. Ledoyer, and S. S. Jacob-A braham, “Food partitioning among scorpaenid fishes in Mediterranean Seagrass beds” J. Fish Biol., 43: pp715-734, 1989. |
[61] | D. Golani, “Impact of Red Sea fish migrants through the Suez Canal on the aquatic environment of the Eastern Mediterranean”. Bull. Of Yale Sch. Forest Envir. Studies, 103: pp375-387, 1998. |
[62] | G. Bernardi, D. Golani, and E. Azzurro, “The genetics of Lessepsian bioinvasions” Fish Invasions of the Mediterranean Sea, pp71-84, 2010. |
[63] | I. Maiyza, M. Said, and M. Kamel, “Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies in the South Eastern Mediterranean Sea. JKAU”: Marine Science, 21 (1):pp151-159, 2010. |
[64] | A. H. Weatherly, “Growth and ecology of fish populations” Academic Press, London, 293pp, 1972. |
[65] | E. H. Chan, and H.C. Liew, “Characteristics of an exploited tropical shallow-water demersal fish community in Malaysia” The First Asian Fisheries Forum. Asian Fisheries Society, Manila, Philippines, pp349-351, 1986. |
[66] | R. J. Wootton, “Ecology of teleost fishes” Chapman. & Hall Ltd. U.S.A. 404p, 1990. |
[67] | T. B. H. Soliman, “ Efficiency and selectivity of fishing gears and methods in Lake Edku and their effects on the stock of fish populations” M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of science, Al-Azhar University, 356 pp, 2005. |
[68] | J. A. Gulland, “Fish stock assessment”: A manual of basic method. FAO/ Wiley series on Food & Agriculture, 1: 223p, 1983. |
[69] | P. Sparre, and S. C. Venema, “Introduction to tropical fish stock assessment” Part I-manual, FAO Fisheries Technical paper, 306/1 Rev. 2. 1998. |
APA Style
Mahmoud M. S. Farrag, Alaa Eldin A. K. El-Haweet, El-Sayed Kh. A. Akel, Mohsen A. Moustafa. (2015). Stock Status of Pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) Along the Egyptian Coast, Eastern Mediterranean Sea. American Journal of Life Sciences, 3(6-1), 83-93. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.s.2015030601.22
ACS Style
Mahmoud M. S. Farrag; Alaa Eldin A. K. El-Haweet; El-Sayed Kh. A. Akel; Mohsen A. Moustafa. Stock Status of Pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) Along the Egyptian Coast, Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Am. J. Life Sci. 2015, 3(6-1), 83-93. doi: 10.11648/j.ajls.s.2015030601.22
AMA Style
Mahmoud M. S. Farrag, Alaa Eldin A. K. El-Haweet, El-Sayed Kh. A. Akel, Mohsen A. Moustafa. Stock Status of Pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) Along the Egyptian Coast, Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Am J Life Sci. 2015;3(6-1):83-93. doi: 10.11648/j.ajls.s.2015030601.22
@article{10.11648/j.ajls.s.2015030601.22, author = {Mahmoud M. S. Farrag and Alaa Eldin A. K. El-Haweet and El-Sayed Kh. A. Akel and Mohsen A. Moustafa}, title = {Stock Status of Pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) Along the Egyptian Coast, Eastern Mediterranean Sea}, journal = {American Journal of Life Sciences}, volume = {3}, number = {6-1}, pages = {83-93}, doi = {10.11648/j.ajls.s.2015030601.22}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.s.2015030601.22}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajls.s.2015030601.22}, abstract = {Stock of pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus was evaluated using specimens that collected monthly from the commercial fishing boats at landing sites along whole the Egyptian Mediterranean coast during 2012. Specimens were ranged from 5 to 83cm (TL) in length with an average 43.01± 13.5cm and total weight from 2.1-5400g with an average of 1103.27±850.83 g. The length-weight relationship revealed negative allometric growth for males, females and combined sexes with insignificant difference between males and females at (P > 0. 05). The highest condition factor (1. 13) was recorded for immature/smaller fishes while the lowest value 0. 86 was recorded for largest female individual. Age determination by two methods (length frequency analysis and vertebrae) revealed seven years old with no significance difference between mean lengths at age of two methods at (P > 0. 05). Von Bertalanffy growth parameters for combined sexes of length frequency were L∞ = 106.34 cm, K = 0.17 year-1 and to = 0.0228 year-1, while they were L∞ = 101.63cm and K = 0.189 year-1 and to = 0.1186 for vertebrae data. By using data of length frequency, the population parameters were, total mortality (Z=1. 01 year-1), natural mortality (M= 0. 347 year-1), fishing mortality (F= 0. 663 year) and exploitation ratio (E= 0. 657). The length at first capture (Lc) was 32. 34cm, while length at recruitment (Lr) was 25. 95cm. Yield per recruit (Y/R) at current parameters was 447.26g. The maximum sustainable yield per recruit (MSY) was 467. 42g, at fishing mortality (FMSY) 0.403 year-1 Which is lower than current fishing mortality. The (Y/R) at the biological reference points (F0. 1 & Fmax) were 423.72 g and 467.42g respectively. The fishing mortalities at these points were 0. 203 year-1 and 0. 403 year-1 for F0. 1 and Fmax respectively giving lower values than current fishing mortality reflecting over-exploitation status. Inspite of, the fishing of pufferfish is prohibited by the Egyptian law, its stock in the eastern Mediterranean is overexploited but still growing well and the younger individuals are in good condition reflecting a good adaptation in new habitat, and explain the illegal trade of this species in different markets. The over exploitation suggests reduce it or Y/R to level of F0. 1 for the point of conservation regardless its poisonous effect. The importance of present data of such species could emphasis the need of special management plan for conserve and better use of economically valuable fishery resources.}, year = {2015} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Stock Status of Pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) Along the Egyptian Coast, Eastern Mediterranean Sea AU - Mahmoud M. S. Farrag AU - Alaa Eldin A. K. El-Haweet AU - El-Sayed Kh. A. Akel AU - Mohsen A. Moustafa Y1 - 2015/11/29 PY - 2015 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.s.2015030601.22 DO - 10.11648/j.ajls.s.2015030601.22 T2 - American Journal of Life Sciences JF - American Journal of Life Sciences JO - American Journal of Life Sciences SP - 83 EP - 93 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2328-5737 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.s.2015030601.22 AB - Stock of pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus was evaluated using specimens that collected monthly from the commercial fishing boats at landing sites along whole the Egyptian Mediterranean coast during 2012. Specimens were ranged from 5 to 83cm (TL) in length with an average 43.01± 13.5cm and total weight from 2.1-5400g with an average of 1103.27±850.83 g. The length-weight relationship revealed negative allometric growth for males, females and combined sexes with insignificant difference between males and females at (P > 0. 05). The highest condition factor (1. 13) was recorded for immature/smaller fishes while the lowest value 0. 86 was recorded for largest female individual. Age determination by two methods (length frequency analysis and vertebrae) revealed seven years old with no significance difference between mean lengths at age of two methods at (P > 0. 05). Von Bertalanffy growth parameters for combined sexes of length frequency were L∞ = 106.34 cm, K = 0.17 year-1 and to = 0.0228 year-1, while they were L∞ = 101.63cm and K = 0.189 year-1 and to = 0.1186 for vertebrae data. By using data of length frequency, the population parameters were, total mortality (Z=1. 01 year-1), natural mortality (M= 0. 347 year-1), fishing mortality (F= 0. 663 year) and exploitation ratio (E= 0. 657). The length at first capture (Lc) was 32. 34cm, while length at recruitment (Lr) was 25. 95cm. Yield per recruit (Y/R) at current parameters was 447.26g. The maximum sustainable yield per recruit (MSY) was 467. 42g, at fishing mortality (FMSY) 0.403 year-1 Which is lower than current fishing mortality. The (Y/R) at the biological reference points (F0. 1 & Fmax) were 423.72 g and 467.42g respectively. The fishing mortalities at these points were 0. 203 year-1 and 0. 403 year-1 for F0. 1 and Fmax respectively giving lower values than current fishing mortality reflecting over-exploitation status. Inspite of, the fishing of pufferfish is prohibited by the Egyptian law, its stock in the eastern Mediterranean is overexploited but still growing well and the younger individuals are in good condition reflecting a good adaptation in new habitat, and explain the illegal trade of this species in different markets. The over exploitation suggests reduce it or Y/R to level of F0. 1 for the point of conservation regardless its poisonous effect. The importance of present data of such species could emphasis the need of special management plan for conserve and better use of economically valuable fishery resources. VL - 3 IS - 6-1 ER -