Abundance and Ecological Observations of the Black-Lip Pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera (L.) (Bivalvia: Pteriidae), in Red Sea Egyptian Waters

This study was designed to investigate the current status of the black lip pearl oyster species in the reefs of the Egyptian Red Sea Coast as an attempt to fill the gap of information about this endangered species. During the last decade in Egypt, the collection of shells of pinctada increased to a great extent causing a sharp decrease in the density of the animals in the reefs. This decrease motivated the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) to add P. maragaritfera to the list of the threatened species by (IUCN). The present survey covered more than 600 km of the proper coast of the Egyptian Red Sea and the studied species was record in 29 stations out of the surveyed 65 which demonstrate the current distribution of 44.6% of the sites. Mostly found in the sub-tidal zone to depth of about 15 m, with habitat comprises dead corals and weeds (64%). Both sandy and living coral habitats included lower percentage being 14 and 20%, respectively. The species were found in a considerable numbers in the Northan and Southern part of the surveyed area, however, the density is one individual per 31.33 m2 in Northern area which it was one individual per 10.7 m2 in Southern area and the area in-between them along the coast have a very small numbers of individual due to the high fishing potential. The number recorded of this internationally distributed species during the present study in considered very low compared to other areas of the world.