POPULATION DYNAMICS OF PEARL OYSTER PINCTADA RADIATE WEST OF LAVAN ISLAND OF THE PERSIAN GULF, IRAN

Investigation on pearl oyster, Pinctada radiata growth and mortality parameters was carried out from September 2001 to October 2002 in west of Lavan Island using scuba diving method. Hinge length (H-LL) and Dorso-ventral measurement (D.Y.M) relationship was significantly (r2= 0.98) linear. Weight and dorso-ventral measurement relationship was shown to be W=0.0004 L 2.812(r2= 0.98). Asymptotic length (Loo) and growth rate (K) were estimated at 98 (mm) and 0.96 it respectively. More than 70 percent of the individuals were matured in April 2001. Mortality parameters including natural mortality (M), total mortality (Z) and fishery mortality (F) were estimated to be 1.21y-1, 1.68y-1 and 0.66y-1 respectively. Exploitation rate was estimated to be 0.27 in this survey.