Objective:To investigate the length distribution,sex ratio,length-weight relationship,age and growth of Raja radula in the Gulf of Gabes.Methods:The age and growth characteristic of the rough skate(Raja radula)inhabiting in the Gulf of Gabes(Central Mediterranean Sea)was determined.A total of 1250 specimens were sampled.According to the marginal increment band its growth was annual.Results:The growth parameters were derived by using the von-Bertalanffy method and were separately evaluated as follows:TL∞=97.2 cm,K=0.15 y^(-1),t_(o)=0.35,and W_(∞)=5.28 kg,and TL∞=76.4 cm,K=0.22 y^(-1),to=0.16,and W∞=3.77 kg,for females and males respetively.The maximum age was 12 years for females and 10 years for males.Conclusions:Results from this research will provide a starting point to develop a management plan for the rough skate in the Gulf of Gabes.Further investigations are necessary to quantify the impact of the existing regulations on the population dynamics and recruitment patterns of this species in the region.
