The present work aims 10 evaluate the fishing efficiency of the traditional
fishing gear. which has local name Haddrah and its effect on the fish stock productivity
in the Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia during the period from April 2002 to April 2003.
Haddrah is a type of inshore selting net. which constructed on the intertidal zone
along the coastal line of the Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia. Naturally, moSI fishes
swimming up to the inshore during the rising tide then they return to the sea during the
ebb tide, which occur twice daily and many of them were inlerning to the trap of
Haddrah, which called the Sirr. When the water level declines to about half meter
during the ebb tide t.'1e fishermen harvesting many fish species (rom the Sirr. It was
found from surveys that the majority of Haddrah traps are selling at AI·Oatil and AI·
Ju!>il coasts. Water temperature and water salinity were estimated monthly and their
relation with catch per unit effort were studied, it was found that the average fish catch
Is highly effected by the water temperature than the water 63Iinil'/. Average ca'.ch of
diurnal and night ebb tides during the different months of the year Ylere also stu1ied.
Annual fish yield was determined, classified by species, fishes measured, weighted
and biologically investigated. Also, exploited Haddrah traps were economically
evaluated. The maximum fish yield was harvested during the autumn then spring then
summer while the minimum catch was collect&d during the winter season. The yield
was belonging to 26 families and classified to 48 fish species, two shrimp species, one
species of squid fish and one species of crab. The present results indicated thai
Haddrah has a highly efficiency for catching the yo:.sng and immature fishes.
Consequently, the presenl research recommended that it must be exchange the Sirr
nets of narrow mesh size (1cm) with nets of large mesh size (4cm) to prevent calch of
young fishes and allow to reach their maturation to reproduce at least one time before
catch. This may lead to developing the production of fishery resources of the Arabian
Gulf on the long run in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.