Strains of Vibrio alginolyticus were regularly isolated from mussels, fish, bottom sediment and seawater from April to October. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was isolated occasionally in samples from mussels and bottom sediment in July and August. None of the species were detected in the cold season. Isolated strains were characterized by growth requirement, morphological characteristics and biochemical tests. In addition the cellular fatty acid composition was determined and compared with standard strains from the family Vibrionaceae. With the exception of some biochemical reactions which distinguish Vibrio alginolyticus from Vibrio parahaemolyticus, growth requirement, morphological characteristics and biochemical reactions are similar for these strains. The close relation between Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus was also revealed by cluster analyses of fatty acid patterns which combined these two species into one cluster which, however, was clearly separated from the standard strains of Vibrio anguillarum.