other پژوهشي Orginal research papers Stock assessment of <em>Otolithes ruber </em>was carried out using Virtual Population Analysis (VPA) method in the coastal waters of Northwest area of the Persian Gulf. Catch and length frequency data during 2002-2012 were converted to age frequency. The maximum of stock number and biomass were observed in age group 1 and 2, respectively. The minimum stock number and biomass were observed for age group 6. The maximum and minimum catch numbers were in age groups 2 and 6, respectively. The maximum and minimum of weight were in age group 3 and 1, respectively. The maximum and minimum of instantaneous fishing mortality were in age groups 4 and 1, respectively. The maximum fishing mortality was estimated in 2010-2011 and minimum value was in 2002-2003 and 2008-2009. During 2011-2012 the stock number and biomass were estimated 29558 (*10³) specimens, 7302 tones and the catch number and weight were calculated 7562 (*10³), 2364 tones and fishing mortality was obtained 0.47 per year. The calculated parameters showed over-exploitation in age-groups 3 and 4. To preserve stocks and to guarantee sustainable exploitation, the prevention of increasing fishing efforts and the control of fishing activities are crucial.<br> &nbsp; Virtual population analysis, Stock number and biomass, Catch number, Catch weight, Otolithes ruber 296 306 http://jifro.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-882-2&slc_lang=other&sid=1 Gh. Eskandari g_eskandary@yahoo.com 100319475328460029837 100319475328460029837 Yes Southern Iran Aquaculture Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran Southern Iran Aquaculture Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran E. Koochaknejad 100319475328460029838 100319475328460029838 No Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science, Chabahar, Iran Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science, Chabahar, Iran S.A. Hashemi 100319475328460029839 100319475328460029839 No Offshore Fisheries Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Chabahar, Iran Offshore Fisheries Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Chabahar, Iran