الفهرس 
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Abstract
Qarun Lake, a closed basin and salty body of water, represents the remnant of fresh water Lake Moeris which had undergone pronounced ecological changes that affected its fauna, flora and fish production. It is located about 90 km south Cairo and cover an area of 240 km2. The present study assessed its fishery to help in lake management purpose as well as the biological -#99;-#104;-#97;-#114;acters of Solea spp. to maintain theirstock. Data about fisheries collected through 42 field trips and 311 fishermen interviews; moreover, 1244 sole fishes were sampled for biological study. The lake was divided into three sub-areas, east, middle and west. It was found that, the used fishing gears were; 1-Trammel nets with four types differ in their dimensions, mesh sizes and target species.They were targeting mainly Mugil cephalus, Tilapia zillii, Solea spp. and Liza species. 2 -Seine nets with three types that were targeting M. cephalus, Engraulis encrasicolus and Metapaeneus stebbingi. 3- Others fishing methods (Fish Aggregating System, traps and hooks). For each gear and methods used, the species composition (target and by-catch) and Catch Per Unit Effort were estimated according to sub-area and season. The results reveal that, middle sub-area was more productive with high diversity. Sole fishes were represented mainly by S. aegyptiaca (dominant) and S. solea. Age, growth, reproduction, food, feeding habit and population dynamic of S. aegyptiaca were determined. It was found that S. aegyptiaca had allometric growth with maximum age of 4 years, spawn during winter with average length at first sexual maturity of 15.7 cm, and feed mainly on rotifers, copepod, annelids and crustaceans. Length at first capture was estimated as 15.4 cm with high natural mortality (0.8y-1). The stock was found to be in overexploited status (E= 0.6). The study recommends to; keep transfer of fishes, like M. cephalus, Sparus auratus and Decentrerachus labrux, prevent traps fishery during spring - summer and all seine nets except Gorafat Zardina during summer in west and improve the fish statistics to maintain this valuable nature resource. Moreover, the lake fishery should be closed during winter months and the current fishing mortality of S. aegyptiaca should be decreased by 23.0% to maintain its stock sustainable in the lake.