Devil firefish
is an invasive alien species which has severely impacted biodiversity and ecological processes in invaded areas of the Mediterranean. In recent years, its presence has been documented ...in several countries of the Adriatic Sea. Based on the negative ecological and socio-economic impacts in other areas of the Mediterranean Sea, the potential invasiveness of devil firefish was analyzed for the coastal areas of the three eastern Adriatic countries (Albania, Croatia and Montenegro) using the
. Generally, based on the average value of the Basic Risk Assessment and the threshold used, the outcomes suggest that this species will be highly invasive in the eastern Adriatic countries. In addition, the results have shown that the most affected sector is represented by the local species populations and relative characteristics, while commercial sectors represent the least affected sector. However, considering that the negative impact of non-native species is not seen directly, the governments of these countries should address this issue as soon as possible.
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The sandbar shark (
) is considered rare in the Adriatic Sea and the majority of records originate from the northern Adriatic, where a nursery area for this species close to the Po delta system has ...been repeatedly proposed. This study provides 5 new records and analyses the previously published records of sandbar sharks recorded around the delta of the River Bojana (in Montenegro, in the south-eastern Adriatic). The River Bojana located on the border between Montenegro and Albania, is the second largest river flowing into the Adriatic Sea, where it forms a highly productive ecosystem already known as a local hotspot for smooth-hound sharks (
spp.). New records of sandbar sharks have emerged as a result of citizen science (a social media survey) and direct reports from fishermen. The total length of
juveniles ranged from approximately 800 mm to 1100 mm, and most (n=5) were caught by set gillnets. The data presented here show that juveniles are consistently present around the estuary and indicate the importance of this fragile estuarine ecosystem for sandbar sharks. Additionally, this study also provides morphometric data collected from a single individual.
Many biological aspects of deep-water sharks are poorly known due to their rarity and difficulties in conducting detailed research on them. The angular roughshark (
Oxynotus centrina
) is a rare ...species, critically endangered in the Mediterranean Sea, of which records are scarce across this region. Here we present a record of a female neonate
O. centrina
from the south-eastern Adriatic Sea, caught by a Montenegrin commercial trawler. Scientific observers were present on-board and collected the specimen, which was subsequently analysed in the laboratory. The specimen was 225 mm long (TL), weighed 59.6 g and had an unhealed umbilical scar. To date, records of this species in the Adriatic Sea have comprised of both adult and older juvenile individuals, but no records of neonates were found in the published literature. In this work, the basic biological observations of the specimen are reported.
Mnogi biološki aspekti dubokomorskih morskih pasa slabo su poznati zbog rijetkih nalaza te nedostatka detaljnijih istraživanja. Morski pas prasac (
Oxynotus centrina
) je rijetka i kritično ugrožena vrsta u Sredozemnom moru, a nalazi ove vrste na tom području su oskudni. U ovom radu se prikazuje nalaz novorođene ženke
O. centrina
iz jugoistočnog područja Jadranskog mora, uhvaćene od strane crnogorskog komercijalnog ribarskog broda. Jedinka je prikupljena od strane znanstvenih promatrača koji su bili na brodu u trenutku ulova, te je naknadno analizirana u laboratoriju. Jedinka je bila duga 225 mm (TL), težila je 59,6 g i imala je vidljiv nezarasli pupčani ožiljak. Dosadašnji nalazi ove vrste u Jadranskom moru uključivali su samo odrasle i starije juvenilne jedinke, dok nalazi novorođenih jedinki do sada nisu dokumentirani. U ovom radu su prikazana osnovna biološka zapažanja o analiziranoj jedinci.
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The structure and composition of Mediterranean biodiversity has changed significantly. So far, in Montenegrin coastal waters, nine new non-native species have been recorded: Tylosurus acus ...imperialis, Caranx crysos, Siganus luridus, Fistularia commersonii, Stephanolepis diaspros, Sphoeroides pachygaster, Lagocephalus sceleratus, Callinectes sapidus and Farfantepanaeus aztecus. Allochthonous species are starting to compete for food and space and leading to habitat degradation, socio-economic impacts and can hybridise with the native species. Natural factors and human activities have enabled the arrival of non-native species into the Adriatic Sea. Four of the species are Lessepsian immigrants, which arrived via the Suez Canal, but five others were introduced from the Atlantic Ocean, through the Strait of Gibraltar. Analysis using the Marine Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (MFISK), Aquatic Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) and Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) showed a calibration threshold of 22.5 for MFISK, a BRA (Basic Risk Assessment) score of 34 and a CCA (Climate Change Assessment) score of 46. A measure of the accuracy of the calibration analysis is the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Two species were characterised as non-invasive: Tylosurus acus imperialis and Caranx crysos, but five others were characterised as invasive and covered by the categories from moderate to high-risk.
Struktura i sastav bioraznolikosti Sredozemlja značajno su se promijenili. Do sada je u crnogorskom primorju zabilježeno devet novih ne-nativnih vrsta: Tylosurus acus imperialis, Caranx crysos, Siganus luridus, Fistularia commersonii, Stephanolepis diaspros, Sphoeroides pachygaster, Lagocephalus sceleratus, Callinectes sapidus i Farfantepanaeus aztecus. Alohtone vrste počinju se natjecati za hranu i prostor i dovode do degradacije staništa, socio-ekonomskih učinaka i mogu hibridizirati s autohtonim vrstama. Prirodni čimbenici i ljudske aktivnosti omogućili su dolazak ne-nativnih vrsta u Jadransko more. Četiri vrste su lesepsijski imigranti, koji su stigli preko Sueskog kanala, ali pet drugih uneseno je iz Atlantskog oceana, kroz Gibraltarski tjesnac. Analiza korištenjem programa MFISK (Marine Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit), AS-ISK (Aquatic Invasiveness Screening Kit) i ROC (Receiver operating characteristic) pokazala je prag kalibracije od 22,5 za MFISK, BRA (Basic Risk Assessment)) rezultat od 34 i CCA (Climate Change Assessment) ocjenu od 46. Mjera točnosti kalibracijske analize je površina ispod ROC krivulje (AUC). Dvije vrste okarakterizirane su kao neinvazivne: Tylosurus acus imperialis i Caranx crysos, no pet drugih okarakterizirano je kao invazivno i obuhvaćeno kategorijama od umjerenog do visokog rizika.
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Chondrichthyans are considered a highly threatened marine species, due both to the intense fishing pressure they have experienced in the world’s Oceans over several decades, and other threats, such ...as habitat loss, climate change and marine pollution. A rapid decline in their populations could trigger significant negative changes in marine ecosystems, highlighting the need for improved conservation measures. This study analyzes the current state of this group in the waters of Montenegro (in the southeastern Adriatic Sea). The first national checklist is provided here, comprising of 44 species, with information on their occurrence frequencies in Montenegrin fishery catches. The dataset used consists of 1469 records obtained from 281 field samplings conducted as part of the official monitoring of commercial fisheries (DCF-DCRF) aswell as 1222 records derived from citizen science. The latter contributed significantly in documenting a greater number of species, particularly those considered threatened or rare in the region, and/or overlooked by DCF-DCRF monitoring. The frequency of species in Montenegrin catches is described based on the percentage of their records in the total number of records originating from local fisheries. The obtained results indicate that only 16% of the species recorded in Montenegro are commonly present in country’s catches, while 66% are either rare or not observed in local fishery. The creation of the country’s first checklist might contribute to overcoming drawbacks in national legislation and protection measures, notably by reporting the presence of endangered species in national marine waters.
Hrskavičnjače se smatraju visoko ugroženim morskim vrstama zbog jakog ribolovnogpritiska kojem su izložene tijekom više desetljeća u svjetskim morima i oceanima, ali i zbog drugih negativnih utjecaja, poput gubitka staništa, klimatskih promjena i zagađenja mora. Ubrzano smanjenje njihovih populacija može pokrenuti negativne promjene u morskim ekosustavima, što dodatno naglašava potrebu za unaprjeđenjem mjera zaštite. Ovo istraživanje prikazuje analizu trenutnog stanja ove skupine organizama u crnogorskim vodama (jugoistočni Jadran). U radu je prikazan prvi popis hrskavičnjača, koji uključuje 44 vrste, s pojedinostima o učestalosti pojavljivanja u crnogorskim ulovima. Podaci se sastoje od 1469 zabilježenih nalaza u 281 terenskom istraživanju provedenom u okviru monitoringa gospodarskog ribolova (DCF-DCRF), kao i 1.222 prijavljena nalaza prikupljena kroz „građansku znanost“ ( citizen science ).Građanska znanost značajno je doprinijela povećanju broja zabilježenih vrsta, posebice onih koje se smatraju ugroženim ilirijetkim u regiji i koje nisu zabilježene u DCF-DCRF monitoringu. Učestalost vrsta u crnogorskim ulovima prikazana je kaoudio broja njihovih nalaza u ukupnom broju nalaza hrskavičnjača u lokalnom ribolovu. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju da je tek16% zabilježenih vrsta uobičajeno prisutno u ulovima u Crnoj Gori, dok je 66% ili rijetko u lovinama ili potpuno odsutno.Izrada prvog nacionalnog popisa hrskavičnjača može doprinijeti rješavanju nedostataka u nacionalnom zakonodavstvu imjerama zaštite, posebice kroz zabilježene nalaze ugroženih vrsta u nacionalnim vodama.
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Alongside climate change, the introduction of non-native species (NNS) is widely recognized as one of the main threats to aquatic biodiversity and human wellbeing. Non-native species and biodiversity ...are generally low priority issues on the political agendas of many countries, particularly in European countries outside the European Union (EU). The objectives and tasks of this study were to address the policy regulation, education level, education practices, and socioeconomic perceptions of NNS in the Balkans. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Turkey (Balkan EU candidate and potential candidate members), in Croatia and Greece (Balkan EU Member States) and Italy (non-Balkan EU Member State). The EU Alien Regulation (1143/2014) concerning NNS is implemented in EU Member States and Montenegro, whereas Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey have not reported specific policy regulations for NNS. Permanent monitoring programmes specifically designed for NNS have not yet been established in the EU Member States. Most countries tackle the issue of NNS through educational activities as part of specific projects. Education level is indicative of the implementation of NNS policy regulation, and efforts are needed for the proper development of relative study programmes. Public awareness and educational preparedness concerning NNS in the Balkans were identified as poor. Strong programmes for management and education should be developed to increase public awareness to prevent further biodiversity losses in the Balkan region.
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The blue shark belongs to the group of the most widespread pelagic sharks in the world. It inha-bits the pelagic zone of almost all warm and temperate seas and oceans. As it is one of the most ...abundant shark species, it is frequently caught in different types of fishing gear operated in the pela-gic zone. This study provides the first data on the reproduction of this species in Montenegrin waters (in the Southeastern Adriatic Sea). Six newborn blue sharks were found during our field excursions. For three of them, detailed morphometric measurements are presented. Alongside the newborns, a gravid female was also recorded. The data was collected in the period from April to October 2017. According to the published literature and the data presented in this paper, species reproduction is likely to be seasonal. A review of the areas where the specimens were recorded was carried out in order to infer if the adult females choose them specifically as their parturition grounds
Pas modrulj pripada grupi najviše rasprostranjenih pelagičnih morskih pasa na svijetu. Obitava u pelagičnoj zoni gotovo svih umjerenih i toplih mora i oceana. Premda je jedan od najčešćih morskih pasa, često se lovi različitim ribolovnim alatima koji se koriste u pelagijalu. Ovim istraživanjem sa-kupljeni su prvi podaci o reprodukciji ove vrste u Crnoj Gori (Jugoistočni Jadran). Tijekom terenskih istraživanja, evidentirano je šest tek rođenih jedinki. Za tri jedinke, prikazane su detaljne morfo-metrijske mjere. Pored spomenutih jedinki, zabilježena je i gravidna ženka ove vrste. Svi podaci su sakupljeni u razdoblju od travnja do listopada 2017. Prema do sada objavljenoj literaturi i ovdje pri-kazanim podacima, moguće je da je reprodukcija ove vrste sezonska. Izvršen je i pregled lokaliteta na kojima su jedinke pronađene, kako bi se utvrdilo biraju li ih ženke kao mjesta za rađanje mladih.
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This Collective article reports 17 introduced species and 22 new locations for these species in the Mediterranean Sea. The reports are from three different Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) ...subregions (Aegean-Levantine Sea, Adriatic Sea and Western Mediterranean Sea) and the Sea of Marmara and cover ten different countries. The goal of consistent and detailed reporting of introduced species is to complement the existing species inventories and serve as a basis for establishing monitoring strategies and other conservation measures. Some of the reports from this article are the first species records for the Mediterranean Sea, namely the green alga Udotea flabellum from the Aegean Sea (Turkey) and the deepbody boarfish Antigonia capros from the Balearic Sea (Spain). In addition, new records of introduced species are included for different seas, namely the moon crab Matuta victor for the Aegean Sea (Greece), the whale shark Rhincodon typus and the lionfish Pterois miles for the Alboran Sea (Spain), the almaco jack Seriola rivoliana for the Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy), and the hound needlefish Tylosurus crocodilus for the Adriatic Sea (Italy). Furthermore, reports on first country records are included: the red alga Colaconema codicola from Slovenia, the nudibranch Melibe viridis from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the lionfish Pterois miles from Montenegro, and the goldstripe sardinella Sardinella gibbosa from Syria, which also represents a second record for the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, the occurrence of the scleractinian coral Oculina patagonica was noted in Gulf of Lion (France). Four polychaete species, namely Leodice antennata, Timarete punctata and Branchiomma bairdi, are reported from the vermetid reef habitat and two of them (L. antennata and B. bairdi) are also recorded for the first time in Lebanon. Evidence for established populations of the Asian date mussel Arcuatula senhousia in the Sea of Marmara (Turkey) and the rayed pearl oyster Pinctada radiata around the island of Sardinia (Italy) is provided.
The Mediterranean Sea has a long-lasting history of fishery exploitation that, together with other anthropogenic impacts, has led to declines in several marine organisms. In particular, elasmobranch ...populations have been severely impacted, with drastic decreases in abundance and species diversity. Based on their experience, fishers can provide information on marine species occurrence, abundance and behavioural traits on a long-term scale, therefore contributing to research on the poorly studied biological aspects of elusive or rare elasmobranch species. In this study, for the first time, the use of the Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) of fishers was applied to study the behavioural traits of sharks, rays and skates in 12 FAO-GFCM geographical sub-areas (GSAs) of the Mediterranean Sea. This study found both new insight and proved the reliability of LEK-based catch seasonality, reflecting seasonal movements, by comparing LEK-based findings and available literature on five elasmobranch taxa (Mustelus spp., Squalus acanthias, Raja spp., Myliobatis aquila and Scyliorhinus stellaris) in the Adriatic Sea and 7 taxa (Mustelus spp., Raja spp., Prionace glauca, Scyliorhinus canicula, Torpedo spp., Pteroplatytrygon violacea and Isurus oxyrinchus) in the remaining Mediterranean GSAs. In addition, LEK provided new insights into a novel comprehensive representation of species aggregations (Mustelus spp., S. acanthias, M. aquila and S. canicula) in the sampled GSAs and supplied the first descriptions of the size, number of individuals and sex composition of the aggregations. When the limits and shortcomings of LEK-based research are considered, this methodology can be a complementary and cost-effective tool used to study elasmobranchs in either a data-poor scenario or a scenario in which a baseline is missing. LEK can also be useful for the evaluation and inclusion of fishers’ perceptions on bottom-up management and to provide important evidence for conservation plans.
The Mediterranean Sea is an extinction hotspot for sharks, skates, and rays, with at least half of all species being threatened. The sandbar shark
is among the most threatened species and is declared ...endangered (EN) in the Mediterranean according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Adriatic Sea was previously proposed to be an important nursery area for this species based on sporadic sightings of neonates and juveniles. However, this species is generally considered to be rare in this region, and reports of its presence are scarce. Here, we present new records for the sandbar shark in the Adriatic Sea and review spatial and temporal data accumulated from literature, museum specimens, and citizen science initiatives in an attempt to assess the distribution and seasonality of this species. The majority of the records were from neonate and juvenile sandbar sharks, and three hotspots for their occurrence could be identified: (1) the Emilia-Romagna region, (2) the Veneto region, and (3) the Gulf of Trieste. Our data indicate a high concentration of sandbar sharks around the delta of the Po river, emphasising the need for scientific surveys in this confined area in order to confirm a possible nursery ground. Data collected by citizen science initiatives reveal that this species is still present in the Adriatic Sea and might be more abundant than previously thought, underlining the potential of citizen science as a valuable tool to monitor the distribution of rare and endangered species.
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