Life history traits and temporal trends of abundance of the orange-spotted trevally (Carangoides bajad) from Saudi waters of the Gulf.

In this study we lay the groundwork for sustainability-oriented fisheries management, by estimating parameters the life history of orange-spotted trevally Carangoides bajad as well as trends of abundance in coral-reef habitats. We observed a new record of maximum size of 720 mm fork length. Carangoides bajad is a moderately long-lived (14 years) and slow-growing (K = 0.085 year ) carangid species, closer to a K-selection species, with higher vulnerability to fishing and lower rates of recovery when the population level is low. Growth and biological composition in terms of length and age categories do not differ between the sexes, but females become mature faster. Reproductively active months (May-August) overlapped with those from Emirati waters further south. The abundance index showed a pronounced drop during 1990-1993, possibly in connection with habitat deterioration during the Gulf War (1990-1991) oil spill. The index increased gradually from 1994 and has fluctuated close to the reference level of 1985 up to the present. Considering the findings of large-sized and old-age individuals and abundance index from coral reefs close to its level three decades back, the C. bajad stock in the western part of The Gulf appears to be in healthy exploitation status despite growing harvesting rates.