ISSN: 2577-4050
Authors: Hamwi N Iskandar*, Altajer H, Ali-Basha N and Salem J
A thorough collection of 619 specimens of Chondrostoma regium, commonly known as the Brond-snout, was carried out in the Orontes River (a middle-reach) over a 12-month period from March 2023 to March 2024. Advanced analytical techniques, including artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic, were employed to examine these samples. The largest individual captured during the study measured 26.5 cm in length and was estimated to be seven years old. By applying the von Bertalanffy growth model to the total length data, the equation TLt = 33.43 (1-e-0.207(t + 0.647)) was established, indicating negative allometric growth (b = 2.97). The growth performance index (Φ’) was calculated to be 2.36. Additionally, various mortality coefficients for Chondrostoma regium were estimated, which included: Z = 1.10 y-1 (total mortality rate), F = 0.51 y-1 (fishing mortality rate), M = 0.59 y-1 (natural mortality rate), and E = 0.46 y-1 (exploitation rate). The survival coefficient (S) was noted to be 0.33 y-1. Analysis of the fishing population growth (FP) of Chondrostoma regium in the Orontes River yielded a value of 33.1, suggesting a moderate growth rate within the local aquatic environment. However, the study also identified a fishing vulnerability (FV) for the population at 50.8. The findings from this research offer important insights into the population dynamics of Chondrostoma regium in the Orontes River. The study concludes that sustainable management of this species necessitates the implementation of conservation measures. Furthermore, these results enhance our understanding of the growth, mortality, and fishing vulnerability of Chondrostoma regium, providing a solid foundation for future research and management strategies.
Keywords: Chondrostoma regium; Expert system; Growth; Vulnerability
