Stock assessment of the razor clam (Solen brevis Gray, 1832), in Bushehr province coasts, Persian Gulf

Stock assessment of edible bivalve, Solen brevis was carried out in Bushehr shoreline areas (50 21 E - 29 41 N to 52 41 E 27 17 N) throughout the period of September 2008 till September 2009. The objectives of this study were identifying the distribution, and estimating the abundance, growth parameters and natural mortality of the bivalve. Solen specimens were collected monthly in Bupatil area and from three other areas at low tide. On each transect one or two quadrats (0.25m 2) were placed at random. To estimate the stock abundance, the mean number of shells in each quadrat was regarded as an estimate of stock mean. Length frequency was used to estimate growth and natural mortality parameters. Data analysis was conducted with the most recent version of LFDA statistical software. The main distribution areas for live edible bivalve, Solen brevis, were located at Bupatil, Gasir, Kaloo, Piazi and Bordekhoon. The mean (±SD) abundance in Bupatil was estimated at 3.25 1.1 shells per quadrat with a maximum peak in October and minimum in August. The estimated growth parameters of this species was, K = 0.7 Year-1 , L = 120 mm and t0 = -0.35. Natural mortality rate (M) was estimated at 0.26 and the calculated maximum age (Tmax) was 54 months