Reproductive Biology of Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis, Ehrenberg, 1831) in the Northern Waters of the Persian Gulf

The aim of the study was to investigate the management of simultaneous catch season and spawning period of giant cuttlefish and determine a new solution for optimal management for conservation and continuity of fisheries in the region.

Samples were collected from the catches of traditional gear of traps at landing places of Bushehr and Khuzestan. 100 to 150 samples were randomly selected and sorted by sex. Reproductive status in males and females were studied using gonadosomatic index (GSI) and statistical calculations.

The result of GSI in males and females indicated the highest reproductive activity in February and March, and then reproductive activities were reduced in both sexes. Sex ratio was ½ and Chi-squared (X2) tests gave for both sexes, indicating that the ratio of males to females was significantly different (p> 0.5). The results of present study show that opening period of the giant cuttlefish in the studied area is simultaneous with maximum spawning period of the species. Based on the results of the present study, it is necessary to develop a new management for exploitation of the giant cuttlefish in the area.