Population Assessment of White Grouper Epinephelus aeneus Using Specialist Technical Methods Along Coastal Syrian Waters in The Eastern Mediterranean

The eastern Mediterranean Sea in Syria was the location of 112 different Epinephelus aeneus specimens captured from March 2023 to March 2024. Advanced analysis techniques, such as artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic, were applied to these samples. During the study, the largest captured individual was 105.6 cm long and was estimated to be eight years old. Applying the von Bertalanffy growth equation to the total length data, TLt = 136.76 (1-e-0.187 (t + 0.041)) was derived, indicating positive allometric growth (b = 3.19). The growth performance index (Φ') was 3.54. The study also estimated various mortality coefficients for Epinephelus aeneus. The coefficients were as follows: Z = 0.55 y-1 (total mortality rate), F = 0.19 y-1 (fishing mortality rate), M = 0.36 y-1 (natural mortality rate), and E = 0.35 y-1 (exploitation rate). The survival coefficient (S) was 0.58 y-1. Analysis of the population growth (FP) of Epinephelus aeneus from the Syrian coast, a value of 48.4, indicated a moderate growth rate within the local marine environment. However, the study also found a fishing vulnerability (FV) of the population was 61.6. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the population dynamics of Epinephelus aeneus in Syrian coast. The sustainable management of this species requires the execution of conservation measures, according to the study's conclusions. Additionally, the results enrich our knowledge of Epinephelus aeneus' growth, mortality, and vulnerability to fishing, creating a foundation for future research and management strategies.