Investigation of demersal fish catch in Iranian Southern Waters (Persian Gulf and Oman Sea) with emphasis on the Sistan and Baluchestan province's waters

Fish species overexploited (overfished) level of Iran (Southern waters from 1997 to 2017) was assessed based on the catch maximum sustainable yield (CMSY), R-software, Bayesian approach and Monte-Carlo simulation. Average of demersal fish catch in Iranian southern waters during this period was 141221 tons (95% Confidence interval (C.I) = 141131 to 141612 tons) and mean catch was significantly increased over the past two decades (R = 0.90, P <0.05). Also, for this study period, average of demersal fish catch in the northern waters of the Oman Sea (Iran, Sistan and Baluchestan province) was 38776 tons (95% Confidence interval (C.I) = 38845 to 38706 tons) and mean catch significantly increased over the past two decades (R = 0.94, P <0.05). Total overfished (weight) level of southern water was more than 31 percent. Demersal fish overfished in Iranian southern water and in the northern waters of the Oman Sea (total weight level) were exceeded 45 percent and 75 percent, respectively. Due to the existing situation, it seems that the amount of overexploited (overfished) is not in favorable condition and further decrease in exploitation ratio and fishing effort are proposed.