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The mantis shrimp Rissoides pallidus (Giesbrecht, 1910) is a rarely reported crustacean species in the central Mediterranean Sea. In December 2020, during a trawl survey off Mazara del Vallo harbor (Strait of Sicily), two specimens of R. pallidus were captured on coastal detritus and coastal terrigenous mud bottoms at about 132 and 152 m depths. Additional information specific to biometrics, bottom types, depth preference, habitats, and geographic distribution of this crustacean species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between September and October 2021, a total of seven adult specimens (five females and two males) of Umbrina ronchus Valenciennes, 1843 were caught in the waters off Portopalo di Capo Passero and Porto Empedocle (the south-eastern coast of Sicily). This was the first record of this species in the Strait of Sicily and the deepest record of this species within the Mediterranean Sea. Individuals of U. ronchus ranged from 180–240 mm total length and 69–149 g total weight. Gonad stages ranged from maturing to spent/resting. Otoliths sagittae were oval shaped with high rectangular yet complex contour. Counting the growth zones by transverse section, the estimated age ranged from 3 to 5 years. Since sciaenids are considered a high-longevity species, a quite recent settlement of U. ronchus in the Strait of Sicily is suggested. As the biogeographic nature of the Strait of Sicily is the main boundary between the western basin, which is characterized by a high affinity for (sub)tropical Atlantic species such as U. ronchus, and the eastern basin, which has an affinity for the indo-pacific warm waters species, the present records could be the limit to the eastward expansion of the geographic distribution of U. ronchus in the Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study examines the bioaccumulation of 17 trace elements (including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, copper, and zinc, among others) in the muscle tissue of the blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) from various locations in the Mediterranean Sea. This research focuses provides insights into the distribution and accumulation patterns of these elements in G. melastomus and sheds light on the potential risks posed by chemical contamination in the Mediterranean Sea. The study underscores the significance of investigating the impacts of pollutants on marine organisms, particularly sharks, to develop effective conservation and management strategies. The data contribute to our understanding of trace element bioaccumulation in elasmobranch species, thus highlighting the importance of protecting these key ecological players in marine ecosystems. Environmental pollution, particularly in the marine environment, has become a significant concern due to the increasing presence of pollutants and their adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. This study focuses on the bioaccumulation of trace elements in the muscle tissue of the blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) from different areas in the Mediterranean Sea. Trace elements are of interest due to their persistence, toxicity, and potential for bioaccumulation. This research aims to assess the distribution and accumulation of trace elements in the muscle tissue of G. melastomus and investigate their potential impact on the deep-sea environment of the Mediterranean. The focused areas include the Ligurian Sea, the northern and central Tyrrhenian Sea, the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ionian Sea, the Pantelleria Waters, and the Gela Waters. Samples were collected following established protocols, and trace element analysis was conducted using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The study provides data on the concentrations of 17 trace elements, namely aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, zinc, selenium, strontium, lead, chromium, iron, barium, bismuth, and uranium. The findings contribute to a better understanding of trace element bioaccumulation patterns in elasmobranch species, specifically G. melastomus, and highlight the potential risks associated with chemical contamination in the Mediterranean Sea. This research emphasizes the importance of studying the impacts of pollutants on marine organisms, particularly those occupying key ecological roles, like sharks, to support effective conservation and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fisheries are amongst the most important anthropogenic activities that strongly impact the marine environment. Therefore, stock assessments are routinely carried out to evaluate the status of the main commercial species to avoid overexploitation. However, these assessments do not take into account the possible mortality of fish due to interaction with fishing gear, and the evaluation of escape survival rates is needed. For the first time in the Central Mediterranean, this study evaluated the escape survival of the red mullet escaping from a bottom trawl. The survival rate of the control individuals (open codend) was higher compared to the treatment individuals (closed codend). Larger fish in the treatment group had a higher probability of dying, while the opposite was observed in the controls. In addition, treatment fish had significantly more wounds per fish than control fish, and were mainly injured around the head. The results highlighted that the sampling methodology was effective in collecting fish samples without affecting their survival rates. Although promising, these results need to be confirmed by further investigation before applying the survival rates in stock assessment models. Stock assessments routinely evaluate the status of commercially harvested species, but seldom account for the possible mortality of released or escaping fish. This study presents a method for estimating the escape survival of the red mullet (Mullus barbatus) from demersal trawling in the Central Mediterranean Sea. Fish escaping from the trawl codend were collected in a detachable cage, which was lined to reduce water flow and protect the sampled fish from further fatigue and injury. Control fish (from an open codend) showed high survival, 94% (87–97%, 95% Confidence Interval), and minimal injuries, while fish escaping through codend meshes had significantly increased injuries and reduced survival, 63% (55–70%). During 7 days of captive monitoring, treatment group mortality was highest in the first 24 h and ceased for both groups within 48 h. Conflicting length-related mortality was observed, where larger treatment fish had a higher probability of dying, while the opposite was observed in the controls. Analysis showed that treatment fish were significantly more injured than control fish, with treatment fish predominantly injured in the head zone. In conclusion, this improved methodology should be repeated to provide accurate escape mortality estimates for the improved stock assessment of the red mullet in the Central Mediterranean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays), which have peculiar and vulnerable life-history traits, are highly threatened by fishing activities. Indeed, between 53% and 71% of Mediterranean elasmobranch species are at risk of extinction. In this context, using the abundance MSY (AMSY) model, the present study provides an assessment of 20 batoids and 16 shark species in the Strait of Sicily, sampled during a bottom trawl survey from 1995 to 2020. Overall, the outputs underline a progressively improving condition for shark and ray assemblages of both shelf and eurybathic zones. As for slope-dwelling species, a horseshoe-shaped dynamic, characterized by a progressive decrease in relative harvesting pressure and an increase in relative biomass followed by an increase in fishing pressure and decrease in biomass, was detected. The dynamics of the Elasmobranchii living in the Strait of Sicily appear to be affected by changes in the fishing patterns of trawlers, showing a shift from shallow water to bathyal fishing grounds and targeting deep-water red shrimp. In this context, it seems wise to limit the impact of deep-water fisheries on Elasmobranchii by reducing fishing efforts and implementing ad hoc management measures aimed at safeguarding these vulnerable species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic performances of four trawling fleets (those of the Sicilian cities of Trapani, Sciacca, Licata and Porto Palo di Capo Passero) operating in the coastal waters along the southern coast of Sicily (geographical Subarea 16), and potentially affected by the establishment of the Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRAs), were analysed. The main economic performance results (revenues, costs and profits) of 37 trawlers were calculated prior to the implementation of FRAs and compared with those estimated by the spatial bio-economic model SMART after the FRAs' establishment. Results showed that the fleets of Sciacca and Licata, located in the central part of the southern Sicilian coast, had a short-term reduction of profits as a result of the implementation of the FRAs; conversely, a short-term increase in the economic performances of Trapani and Porto Palo di Capo Passero fleets was expected. Although the FRAs represent a good tool for rebuilding overexploited stocks, the different socio-economic impacts of the single fleets should be assessed before adopting them and the implementation of specific compensative measures should be planned for the impacted fleet until a more productive state of the stock is reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Length-Weight relationships (LWRs) of 52 species (14 never reported before) of fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods living on the shelf and upper slope off Southern Sicily are provided. Data were collected in the framework of the International bottom trawl survey in the Mediterranean (MEDITS) in the South of Sicily (Central Mediterranean), covering a time frame ranging from 2012 to 2019. Linear regressions were significant for all species (p < 0.05) with R2 values ranging from 0.86 to 0.99. The intercept (a) of LWRs ranged from 0.0003 to 0.4677, while the slope (b) ranged from 2.1281 to 3.306. The Welch t-test, used to evaluate differences between the obtained LWRs with those reported in the literature, revealed that most of the LWRs (about 55%) reported in this study are in disagreement with those obtained previously by other authors from the Strait of Sicily. It is expected that the results obtained from this study will contribute to filling the knowledge gap of fish populations in this area and also assist fisheries scientists in future stock assessment studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five specimens of the invasive American blue crab Callinectes sapidus were caught from October 2018 to December 2019 off the Mazara del Vallo harbour, Strait of Sicily. This note documents further records of the species in the Strait of Sicily and its settlement in the area. In addition, an update of the spatial distribution of C. sapidus in the Mediterranean Sea was provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four specimens of the northern brown shrimp Penaeus aztecus Ives, 1891, a West Atlantic species, were unexpectedly caught by bottom trawlers along the South coast of Sicily between Porto Empedocle and Mazara del Vallo (Central Mediterranean). The dispersal and transport of shrimp eggs and larvae via surface water circulation is suggested as the likely cause of its rapid westward spread since its first appearance in the Gulf of Antalya (Turkey) in 2009. The settlement of P. aztecus in Mediterranean coastal habitats may result in competition with the native caramote prawn Penaeus kerathurus (Forskål, 1775). Some aspects of the species geographical distribution in Mediterranean are briefly discussed in relation to the circulation pattern of surface waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Batoid species are cartilaginous fish commonly known as rays, but they also include stingrays, electric rays, guitarfish, skates, and sawfish. These species are very sensitive to fishing, mainly because of their slow growth rate and late maturity; therefore, they need to be adequately managed. Regrettably, information on life history traits (e.g., length at first maturity, sex ratio, and growth) and abundance are still scarce, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea. In this regard, the present study focuses on the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean) and aims to improve knowledge gained through scientific survey data. In particular, abundance data, spatial distribution, and some life history traits are herein presented. In the investigated area, the biomass trends of the batoids indicated a slight recovery even if few species showed a depletion. Considering the importance of this taxon for maintaining the marine ecosystem equilibrium, management measures are desirable. Batoid species play a key role in marine ecosystems but unfortunately they have globally declined over the last decades. Given the paucity of information, abundance data and the main life history traits for batoids, obtained through about three decades of bottom trawl surveys, are presented and discussed. The surveys were carried out in two areas of the Central Mediterranean (South of Sicily and Malta Island), in a timeframe ranging from 1990 to 2018. Excluding some batoids, the abundance trends were stable or increasing. Only R. clavata, R. miraletus, and D. oxyrinchus showed occurrence and abundance indexes notable enough to carry out more detailed analysis. In particular, spatial distribution analysis of these species highlighted the presence of two main hotspots in Sicilian waters whereas they seem more widespread in Malta. The lengths at first maturity (L50) were 695 and 860, 635 and 574, and 364 and 349 mm total length (TL), respectively, for females and males of D. oxyrinchus, R. clavata, and R. miraletus. The asymptotic lengths (L∞) and the curvature coefficients (K) were 1365 and 1240 (K = 0.11 and 0.26), 1260 and 1100 (K = 0.16 and 0.26), and 840 and 800 mm TL (K = 0.36 and 0.41), respectively, for females and males of D. oxyrinchus, R. clavata, and R. miraletus. The lack of detailed quantitative historical information on batoids of Sicily and Malta does not allow to analytically judge the current status of the stocks, although the higher abundance of some species within Malta raises some concern for the Sicilian counterpart. In conclusion, suitable actions to protect batoids in the investigated area are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]