This article examines the suitability of length-based methods for providing regular assessments of the stocks of the more important commercial fish species in Kuwait. To date, comparisons of age-based and length-based methods have been carried out for 3 species, the croaker Otolithes argenteus , red snapper, Lutjanus coccineus and the grouper Epinephelus tauvina . Results so far indicate a stock assessment reliability equal to that based on age composition data plus a saving in manpower and capital.