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The study reports on the capture of a new-born specimen of shortfin mako shark Isurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, 1810 off Karantina islet coast, Urla, Izmir (north Aegean Sea). This specimen measured 761 mm in total length and weighed 2900 g. The historical and recent captures of the species in the area shows the presence of new-born, juvenile and adult males and females. The distribution of these specimens suggests the potential occurrence of a nursery ground in the same area. To preserve the extirpation of the species throughout the area where it finds favourable environmental parameters to live, a management plan should be conducted to ensure the establishment of a viable population in the Turkish marine waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specimen of bull ray Aetomylaeus bovinus was captured dead by a diver around a tuna sea cage farm. It was female, measured 2310 mm in total length (TL) and 1460 mm in disc width (DW) with body weight estimated as about 20 kg. This case was reported from a tuna farm for the first time. The bull ray entered the sea cage about three months ago, but no attack occurred to the tuna in the cage. It was grazing on fouling organisms that attached to the nets. However, the cage nets were replaced with clean ones four days ago before the capture, and the bull ray did not find enough fouling organisms or uneaten fish feed and was starved to death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report on the capture of a specimen of smoothback angelshark Squatina oculata Bonaparte, 1840 from Turkish marine waters. The specimen measured 720 mm in total length and was caught by means of a commercial purse-seiner at a depth of 60 m. The species appeared to be sporadically caught in the area and the eastern Mediterranean Sea, however, the size diversity of recorded specimens shows the species still occurred in the region. Although the smoothback angel shark is listed as a protected species according to Turkish Marine Fisheries Act, a management plan should be integrated with local fisheries to preserve the species from extirpation throughout its distribution range in Turkish seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single specimen of the invasive alien species Phyllorhiza punctata was found in Urla (İzmir Bay), constituting its new record in the North Aegean Sea, and indicating its northward distributional expansion. The specimen was juvenile, with a bell diameter of 70 mm. As blooms of this species might cause economic losses and adverse ecosystem changes, its establishment success in the region should be continuously monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specimen of imperial blackfish Schedophilus ovalis was caught on 15 April 2018 from the Gülbahce coasts, Izmir Bay at a depth of 8 m. This ichthyologic note presents the first confirmed record of imperial blackfish from the shallow waters of Izmir Bay, NE Aegean Sea and the third for the Turkish waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specimen of Lessepsian migrant, Stephanolepis diaspros, 257 mm in total length, was caught on 10 January 2018 by a scoop net in Göltürkbükü fishing port, Güllük Bay, on the sandy bottom at a depth of 1 m. This record was the maximum size for both the Turkish seas and the Mediterranean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of severe consecutive repetition of lordosis-kyphosis involving three flexions was reported in a specimen of the atherinid fish Atherina boyeri Risso. The values for the angles lay between the lines passing through the sides of the vertebral column and enclosing the curvatures, and the depth of the curvatures of the angles was obtained. Also, the ratio of the vertebral column to the fish total length of deformed and normal specimens of this species was calculated. Possible causes for these anomalies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report in this paper the capture of a large female of Bathytoshia lata (Garman 1880) measuring 2220 mm in disc width and weighing approximatively 350 kg. It was a pregnant female at the end of the gestation which carried six near-term embryos. The specimen and its capture are described, indicating that the species is probably threatened but not totally extinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specimen of lessepsian Stephanolepis diaspros, 177 mm in total length, was caught on 27 October 2014 by a commercial trammel net off Urla coast in Izmir Bay on sandy bottom at a depth of 6 m. This record is not only the first one but also the fifth lessepsian fish species found in Izmir Bay in the northern Aegean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specimen of the saddled bream, Oblada melanura, with 357 mm TL, was caught on 30 April 2014 by gillnet fishery in Kokar Cove, Sığacık Bay, the southern Aegean Sea. The present study reports not only the second maximum length record of O. melanura for the Mediterranean, but also the maximum record for the Turkish seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blackchin guitarfish, Rhinobatos cemiculus, is rather abundantly captured in the eastern tropical Atlantic, especially off Senegal and Mauritania. In the Mediterranean western basin, R. cemiculus is unknown at present off the European shore but is rather frequent off southern areas; conversely, the species occurs throughout the eastern basin. Two large specimens recorded for the first time in İzmir Bay, northern Aegean Sea, are reported and described in this note. These findings constitute the northernmost records of R. cemiculus in both the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, and they significantly extend the species' distribution known to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the catch per unit effort (CPUE) of swordfish harpoon fishery for the first time in the Turkish Aegean Sea. This research was carried out with commercial harpooners for swordfish in Kaleköy fishing port, Gökçeada Island, a unique harpooning area in Turkish waters during fishing seasons in 2009 and 2010. Catch data (number of specimens and weight of each fish) were recorded on daily basis by both scientific observers and questionnaire with skippers. The effective fishing days at sea were used as a unit of fishing effort. The harpooning data collected during the two seasons (2009-2010) from 21 vessels in Saros Bay showed a total of 20555 kg and 544 specimens. The average CPUEs were 49.7 ± 8.5 kg and 1.3 ± 0.2 in number of fish per day for 2009, and 25.7 ± 12.5 kg and 0.8 ± 0.3 in number of fish per day for 2010. There was no significant difference in the means of swordfish CPUE values both in number and weight between two fishing seasons (2009-2010) (P>0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the batch fecundity (BF) and oocyte diameters of Belone belone from the Aegean Sea (Izmir and Candarli Bays). A total of 51 female specimens of garfish were collected from January to December 2003. Oocyte diameters (n = 12140) of B. belone ranged from 0.063 to 3.5 mm, concentrating between 0.063 and 1.5 mm. The fish weight - BF relationships according to both hydrated oocyte and oocyte size frequency methods were BF = - 0.3794 W + 192.22 (R² = 0.037) and BF = 5.165 W - 55.21 (R² = 0.218), respectively. Mean oocyte numbers in the ovaries were 4144 ± 604 with varied from 662 to 15962. Maximum BF was 2130 (mean: 670 ± 97) in hydrated oocytes, and 8189 (mean: 1667 ± 559) in large oocytes. There was no linear relationship between BF and fish weight according to determination coefficients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specimen of the Tub gurnard, Chelidonichthys lucerna, with 735 mm TL, was caught on 2 January 2013 by an angler on a boat in Sığacık Bay, Southern Aegean Sea. The given size is the second maximum length record of C. lucerna, however, it is a first confirmed record for the Turkish seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out with 20 representative gill-netters based at the port of Sivrice and Sığacık from June 2008 to August 2010. The average length, gross tonnage (GT), machine power (hp) and number of personnel of the gill-netters were 10.4±0.6 m, 10.5±2.3 GT, 121.4±19.9 hp and 3.4±0.2 persons, respectively. Total length of all observed gillnets was reaching 339 km, ranged from 700 to 6000 m with average 2672 ±93 m. The mean CPUEs for swordfish by number and weight were calculated as 1.0 ±0.1 and 37.7 ±4.2 kg per km net, respectively. A total of 12 species, belongs to nine families were caught. The target species, swordfish had the highest ratio both in number (39.2%) and weight (73.1%) followed by Auxis roche± > Euthynnus alletteratus > Thunnus thynnus > Thunnus alalunga by number; Thunnus thynnus > Mola mola > Euthynnus alletteratus > Mobula mobular by weight. Biomass and number ratios of the non-target species to the target swordfish were 1:0.37 and 1:1.55, respectively. Four species, Caretta caretta, Dasyatis violacea, Mobula mobular, Mola mola were thrown back to the sea and the others were retained due to commercial value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Length-weight relationships (LWRs) are presented for 17 fish species caught from Gökova Bay (southeastern Aegean Sea) during he 2006 fishing season. Fish samples were collected from small-scale trammel nets and longline fisheries. The values of b ranged from 2.086 (±0.152) for Sphyraena sphyraena to 3.499 (±0.058) for Scomber japonicus. The median value of b was 3.055 (±0.081). The r² values ranged from 0.712 for Sphyraena chrysotaenia to 0.996 for Scomber japonicus and all relationships were highly significant (P < 0.001). Estimated LWR parameters of 4 species, Dicentrarchus labrax, Seriola dumerili, Siganus luridus and Sphyraena sphyraena, for Turkish waters are presented for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gökova Bay, which is located in Mugla in Turkish Aegean Sea, has total area of 52000 hectares, including 24500 hectares territorial waters. This area is one of the eight protected marine areas in Turkey which has been protecting since 1989. This study reports an investigation carried out on set net fishery in two main fishing ports, Akyaka and Akçapınar in Gökova Bay (Aegean Sea) between September 2002 and August 2003. The fish and invertebrate species caught from set net fishery were typical of those that inhabit coastal embayments in the Mediterranean. Liza saliens, Scomberomorus commerson, Pagellus erythrinus, Mullus surmuletus and Octopus vulgaris species dominated in the commercial catch. A total of 33 finfish, 6 invertebrate species were identified from commercial catches in set netting. Fishing effort and CPUE (catch per unit effort) in biomass of fish were recorded in rather low values in Gökova Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceyhan, T., Akyol, O., Ayaz, A., and Juanes, F. 2007. Age, growth, and reproductive season of bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) in the Marmara region, Turkey. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 531–536.Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) are distributed widely along the Turkish coasts, and are regularly captured, especially in the Sea of Marmara during their spawning migration to the Black Sea from the Mediterranean in spring and during their return migration south in early autumn. Age, growth, and reproductive season are reported. The ages of 1114 bluefish were determined from otoliths. The age groups ranged from 0 to III, and mean fork lengths (and weights) were 14.4 ± 0.12 cm (38.2 ± 1.02 g), 19.5 ± 0.06 cm (93.7 ± 0.86 g), 27.5 ± 0.48 cm (238.5 ± 11.3 g), and 33.3 ± 0.50 cm (431.9 ± 17.08 g) for each age group, respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L∞ = 51 cm, K = 0.228, and t0 = −1.26 y. The reproductive period, evaluated from gonadosomatic indices, began in early spring and extended until August. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study reports an investigation carried out on swordfish drift-net fishery at 2 main swordfish fishing ports, Sivrice (northern) and Fethiye (southern), in the Aegean Sea in 2001-2002. Forty-five boats are used for swordfish fishing in the Turkish Aegean Sea. In these major areas, the highest number of boats 6-10 m in length and 11.5-80 hp in engine power was in the Sivrice area, while the highest number 10-14 m in length and 85-135 hp in engine power was in the Fethiye area. Almost all of the boats were made of wood. Swordfish drift-netting accurs in practice between Sivrice and the island of Lesvos and in both national and international waters between Fethiye and Rhodes. The drift nets are made of multiflament polyamide (PA) netting yarn, 210d/54-60 no, are about 3 to 7 km long, have a 500 mm mesh opening and are 20 meshes deep at Sivrice. They are about 14 km long, made up of various nets mixed together with 4 km for leerfish (Lichia amia) and 6 km for bullet tuna (Auxis rochei), have a 440 mm mesh opening, and are 30 meshes deep in the part for swordfish in Fethiye. Illuminated buoys are attached to each side of the net. Fishing effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE) in the swordfish biomass were rather low at Sivrice. The low CPUE in the biomass was probably the result of worsening meteorological conditions in the region. In each area, bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), little tunnies (Euthynnus alletteratus), Mediterranean spearfish (Tetrapturus belone), albacores (Thunnus alalunga), bullet tuna (Auxis rochei), dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), dolphins (Delphinus delphis), manta rays (Mobula mobular), sunfish (Mola mola) and sharks (Mustelus vulgaris) were recorded as non-target catches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, findings of the qualities and quantities of commercial and trash catches from beach-seining in coastal waters of the Aegean Sea are presented. A total of 62 finfish and eight invertebrate taxa were identified in catches sampled during May, June, July and September 1996, with 42 taxa being retained and 28 taxa being genuine trash catches. The estimated total ratio of commercial to genuine trash catch (kg) was 1:0.273. The fish and invertebrate species caught from beach seine fishery were typical of those that inhabit coastal embayments in the Aegean Sea. Diplodus vulgaris, Diplodus annularis, Sarpa salpa, Pagellus erythrinus, Boops boops, Spicara flexuosa and Mullus barbatus species dominated finfish catch, whereas Loligo vulgaris, Octopus vulgaris and Eledone moschata species from Cephalopods dominated in the commercial catch. Serranus cabrilla, Chromis chromis, Raja mirelatus, Bothus podas, Crenilabrus tinca, Dasyatis pastinaca, Lepidotrigla cavillone, Raja clavata and Serranus scriba species dominated the finfish catch and Holothuria tubulosa from the class Holothuridea dominated and some Crustaceans (e.g. Squilla mantis, Palaemon sp.) in the genuine trash catch. The rate of trash fish was found to be 21% of the total catch. This proportion supports the continued prohibition on the use of beach-seining gear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specimen of the serpent eel, Ophisurus serpens, with a total length of 1917 mm was caught on 2 March 2014 by an angler on a boat off the coast of Karaburun, in front of the Sarpıncık lighthouse. This specimen is the second record for the central Aegean Sea since that of Aliağa, Çandarlı Bay, in August 1966. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 2 June 2010, an abnormally pigmented specimen of Solea solea L. with a total length of 222 mm was obtained near Tuzla, from the İzmir Bay of the Aegean Sea. This is the first record of abnormal pigmentation in the wild common sole from the Aegean Sea. The specimen fish is patterned with both hypermelanosis on the blind side and hypomelanosis on the ocular side. Th is kind of malpigmentation in any flatfish is not typical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specimen of Armina maculata was collected on 10 July 2013 from İzmir Bay, north-eastern Aegean coast of Turkey. This short note represents a clear indication of the unique occurrence of an A. maculata in Turkish seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 17 October 2012, an abnormally pigmented specimen of the surmullet Mullus surmuletus L. with a standard length of 164 mm was caught off the coast of Urla in İzmir Bay (Aegean Sea). This is the first report of abnormal pigmentation of the surmullet in the Mediterranean Basin. The sample fish had a patterned blue color on the back and its flanks were silvery. This kind of malpigmentation has not been observed in any mullids up to now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of the isopod Natatolana neglecta (Hansen, 1890) are reported herein from Güllük Bay, south-eastern Aegean Sea. In the last decade, the abundance of this species has been increasing in the area, and this has led to attacks on fishes captured with gillnets, at night. The small-scale fishermen now are forced to restrict their catch to a short period daily, and are showing concerns regarding the continuation of their fishing practice. Here, we present the first report on the occurrence of N. neglecta in the Bay of Güllük, and provide information on the threat of this species for coastal fishermen in the south-eastern Aegean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]