Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 September 2014
Mangrove ecosystems are unique fish habitats because they provide shelter and food for juvenile fish. Hara Biosphere Reserve (HBR) is a coastal region in the Khuran Strait situated in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. Mangrove forests of this region are important for people's livelihoods. Moreover, shallow water, coastal wetlands and other estuarine habitats with very restricted water flow and nutrient rich areas provide shelter to young fish. The results of monitoring and Evaluation for Fishing Communities in 2008 showed that there are a total of 43 families of fish that were associated with HBR. Among 44 families Leiognathidae, Clupeidae, Carangidae and Mugilidae families are the most abundant fish species in the area. However, most popular fish were in the juvenile stage of their life cycle. Because of the rich diversity of fish in coastal waters, the lives of a large proportion of people living in this region are directly dependent on fishing. Results have shown that although there is no considerable difference in fish diversity among the different fishing methods, a clear distinction between the fishing methods and the weight of fish is obvious.