Catch rates of marine fish species from Shatt Al- Basrah Canal, Southern Iraq

Monthly fish samples were collected from one location at Shatt Al- Basrah Canal July 2008 to June 2009, using coastal seine net of dimensions 80 m length and 8 height with a mesh size 10×10 mm. Water temperature, salinity water transparency measured. Fishes identified in the laboratory total lengths weights Catch per unit effort was estimated for 22 species during sampling period. The biotic factors exhibited monthly fluctuations, especially temperature. temperatures varied between 12 31.5 ºC, range gradient 5.5-47.5 ppt., however showed less variation (37.1-61 cm). found be zero December, while highest catch rate 39.9 kg / h Liza subviridis lowest 0.02 many several months. Basing on average as total, 5.89 subviridis, followed by 2.96 klunzingeri, 0.14 Brachirus orientalis. two mugilid klunzingeri) consisted 69 % overall 75 commercial rate. Johnius belangerii significant positive correlation coefficient (0.72) non negative -0.37 Sillago arabica. For salinity, results revealed that 0.74 thehighest (-0.54) sihama. correlations 0.66 Acanthopagrus latus (-0.39)