A study on the fish of the Central Black Sea Coast of Turkey

Abstract

As a result of eutrophication caused by increased nutrient input via major northwestern rivers during the last few decades, the Black Sea ecosystem has been subject to extreme changes in recent years. Abnormal changes due to altered nutrient balance were reflected in the qualitative and quantitative composition of phytoplankton, zooplankton and also ichthyofauna. The present study was carried out in the central Black Sea coast of Turkey to recognition of the current status of fish fauna. Fish specimens examined in this study were obtained from the shore and offshore of Sinop-Samsun coast between 1997 and 2004, collecting from the commercial catch of vessels at sea or by SCUBA. A total of 94 species belonging to 44 families were identified. Acipenser persicus is recorded for the first time from the central Black Sea of Turkey. Previous records of the species were confined to the eastern part of the Black Sea, it is occurrence at Turkish coast of the Black Sea extends its distribution range to the central Black Sea.

As a result of eutrophication caused by increased nutrient input via major northwestern rivers during the last few decades, the Black Sea ecosystem has been subject to extreme changes in recent years. Abnormal changes due to altered nutrient balance were reflected in the qualitative and quantitative composition of phytoplankton, zooplankton and also ichthyofauna. The present study was carried out in the central Black Sea coast of Turkey to recognition of the current status of fish fauna. Fish specimens examined in this study were obtained from the shore and offshore of Sinop-Samsun coast between 1997 and 2004, collecting from the commercial catch of vessels at sea or by SCUBA. A total of 94 species belonging to 44 families were identified. Acipenser persicus is recorded for the first time from the central Black Sea of Turkey. Previous records of the species were confined to the eastern part of the Black Sea, it is occurrence at Turkish coast of the Black Sea extends its distribution range to the central Black Sea.