Lana Khrema1*, Amina Alnesser2, Hasan Alkusairy3 and Ali Othman3
1 Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Latakia University, Syria.
2 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Latakia University, Latakia, Syria.
3 General Commission for Fisheries Resources and Aquatic Life, Latakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Lana Khrema. Email: lana-khrema@latakia-univ.edu.sy).
Received: 28/ 3/ 2026 Accepted: 13/ 5/ 2026
Abstract:
In August and September 2024, three bottom trawl hauls were conducted off the coast of Latakia at depths ranging from 55 to 140 m as a pilot study to describe the structure of benthic fish assemblages and provide an initial evaluation of trawling-related patterns. The Shannon–Weaver diversity index (H′) ranged between 1.3 and 1.7. Hill number q₁ values varied from 3.67 to 5.57 effective species, while q₂ values indicated numerical dominance by a limited number of species, which was further supported by Pielou’s evenness index (J′=0.59–0.70). Based on the Index of Relative Importance (IRI), Pagellus erythrinus and Pagellus acarne were identified as dominant species. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) ranged from 6.9 to 33.06 kg h⁻¹.These results reflect the current status of benthic fish assemblages during the study period and provide an essential baseline for future ecological and fisheries studies in the region.
Keywords: Benthic fish assemblages, Biodiversity, Hill Numbers, CPUE, Bottom trawling, Latakia coast.
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