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A group of schools of striped eel catfish Plotosus lineatus (Thunberg, 1787) was photographed during scuba diving at depths of 10 m and 17 m on 11 July 2022 and on 24 September 2022 from Kızkalesi and Boğsak regions in the Mersin Bay of the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. With the present study, P. lineatus is extending its distribution to the western Mediterranean coastal waters after its first occurrence in 2016 in the İskenderun Bay of Turkish Marine waters.

A young individual of Isurus oxyrinchus was caught by a commercial longline off Dana Island (Mersin Bay, northeastern Mediterranean Sea) at a depth of 72 m on May 18th 2020. Morphometric measurements of the specimen were recorded and its photographs were taken. The examined specimen is now being preserved in the Museum of Systematics at Faculty of Fisheries of Mersin University, under the reference number MEUFC-20-11-132. This occurrence of a young female specimen reported in this study is adding a new location (Mersin Bay) from the Mediterranean's Turkish waters.

Total fat and fatty acid levels of Ulva linza (Linnaeus 1753), Enteromorpha flexuosa (Agardh, 1883), and Taonia atomaria (Agardh, 1848) collected from Viransehir, Taskiran, and Karaduvar coasts were determined. The total oil level of the samples was found to be 1.31-1.91%, 1.23%, 7.78% for U. linza, E. flexuosa and T. atomaria, respectively. The dominant saturated fatty acids are palmitic acid and stearic acid. The highest level of palmitic acid (32.27%) was found in E. flexuosa in Viransehir beach. The highest level of stearic acid was found on the coast of Viransehir (7.20%), U. linza. The highest level of ΣSFA was found in the U. linza species on Taskiran coast (37.89%), and the lowest level was determined in the T. atomaria species on the Taskiran coast (18.13%). It is oleic acid that has a high level of monounsaturated fatty acids. The highest level of this fatty acid (10.35%) was found in E. flexuosa species in Viransehir beach. The highest level of ΣMUFA was found in the Viransehir coast (16.67%) and the lowest level (11.39%) in the U. linza on the Viransehir beach. The highest level of linolelaidic acid in polyunsaturated fatty acids was found in E. flexuosa in Viransehir beach (3.34%). The highest level of linoleic acid (4.85%) was found in U. linza on the coast of Viransehir. The highest level of ΣPUFA was found in T. atomaria on the Taskiran coast (16.56%), and the lowest level (7.03%) was found in U. linza.

The length-weight relationships (LWRs) of fish are helpful in fisheries science. A total of 504 yellowspotted puffer (Torquigener flavimaculosus) specimens (257 female and 247 male) were caught from the Yumurtalık coast of Turkey (Eastern Mediterranean Sea) between 2018 and 2019 by using a trammel net set with a depth range between 5 and 42 m. The sex ratio was found 1:1.08 for males and females, respectively. The length-weight relationship was described for combined both sexes by the following formula W = 0.00130×L3.094 (r2 = 0.918) with a positive allometric growth. Fulton condition factor (CF) was calculated as 1.713 ± 0.145 for combined sexes. This study presents the first results available for the length-weight relationships and condition factor of T. flavimaculosus according to both sexes in the Yumurtalık coast of Turkey.

The aim of this study was to determine the preferences of students attending Mersin University's Ciftlikkoy and Yenisehir campuses for seafood consumption preference and to what extent these preferences are related to demographic characteristics such as gender, age, income level and type of program they study. Data were obtained by random sampling method in April, May and June of 2018 on a questionnaire form based on face-to-face interviews with 550 students from different programs. Of the 550 students surveyed, 53.8% were female, 46.2% were male, 70% were between 18-23 years, 23% were between 24-28 years, 4% were 33 and over, 3% were 29-33 age group. 74% of the students participating in the survey are undergraduate, 15% are associate degree, 9% graduate, 2% continue their doctoral education. The majority of the students stated that they live with 33% of their families. 32% stated that they stayed in dormitories, 26% in dormitories and 9% in other (their own) places. The results of the survey show that students prefer 46% poultry meat, 39% red meat, 8% fish, 1% other fish products and 6% do not prefer any type of meat. The majority of the students (80%) stated that they had knowledge about the importance of fish consumption and 16% did not have any knowledge. The most common anchor, 19% sea bass, 17% sea bream, 11% trout, 8% sardine, 5% red mullet, 3% silver, 2% mullet and 7% other fish, respectively it is consumed. While students consume 89% fresh seafood, they consume 4% canned food, 2% frozen, 1% salted and brine and 3% other forms. While 44% of the students prefer frying as a cooking method, 27% prefer grilling, 20% prefer oven, and 3% prefer steaming. According to the highest rate of fish consumption, respectively; 37% once a month, 20% once every fifteen days, 17% once or twice a year, 12% never consumed any fish, 3% once a week, 1% more than once a week.

Deep-sea sampling was conducted by a commercial trawl in the International Waters of Mersin Bay between 14 and 17 May 2018. The sampling depth ranged between 274 and 641 meters. A total of 13 trawling operations were performed, and each trawling operation lasted approximately 4 hours. During the sampling, six of the deep-sea cephalopods species were caught. All specimens were preserved in ethyl alcohol and were deposited in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University (Catalog no: MEUCC-18-11-2- MEUCC-18-11-7). A total of two cuttlefish species belonging to the families of Sepiidae were identified. The others were represented by the families of Sepiolidae, Octopodidae, Bathypolypodidae, and Ommastrephidae.

In this study, five tripletails, Lobotes surinamensis, were reported for the first time in Mersin Bay (North-eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey). . Four juveniles were observed during diving expeditions in Yeşilovacık, Mersin Bay, on 04 November 2015 and 23 September 2016, while the fifth juvenile was recorded in Ayaş/Erdemli, Mersin Bay on 26 June 2018. This report is the first observation for this location and fills an essential gap in the species' range distribution. This study is also important as it is the first visual record of juveniles in this region. This finding will be helpful for both fisheries management and conservation efforts of this species.

The determination of heavy metal level (aluminium, iron, zinc, arsenic strontium) in surface water, sediment, and biota in Iskenderun Bay, polluted site, and Mersin Bay, unpolluted site, in 2018–2019 seasonally were aimed. The muscle and liver (viscera for shrimp) tissue of three fish (Saurida lessepsianus, Nemipterus randalli, Mullus barbatus) and an invertebrate (Penaus semisulcatus) species, which have different habitats and diet, were used to detection of biota metal level. Sediment samples were analyzed in four different particle sizes which were Fe > As>Al > Zn and Sr > Fe > As>Zn > Al respectively. (p Al > Sr > Zn > As in both sampling sites. The sediment Zn levels were a negative relationships between biota, particle size, sampling sites and season (p As> Zn > Sr > Al and As≥ Fe > Zn > Sr > Al, while the liver metal level sampled from polluted and unpolluted sites were Fe > Zn > As>Al > Sr and Fe > Zn > As>Sr > Al, respectively. There were significant of metals between species and tissues (p 0.05). Iron accumulated in the liver more than the muscle tissue while arsenic accumulated in the muscle more than the liver tissues due to the functional difference of tissues (p

Gonostoma denudatum belonging to Gonostomatidae family are small fishes living in deep-sea around Atlantic and Mediterranean. They are vital species for plastic accumulation because they can be available in all depths of the water column during the day. In this study, it was aimed to present the recent record of G. denudatum, which captured from North Cyprus in May 2018. The total length of the specimen, which obtained from a depth of between 420 and 640 m, is 12.8 cm. Its photograph was taken and the catalogue number (MEUFC-19-11-108) was given. Morphometric characteristics were measured and calculated. The specimen is stored in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University.

Lantern sharks are small shark species that can be seen at depths between 70 and 2000 meters. Due to their luminescent characteristics, they have been called “Lantern shark”. In total eleven specimens of the velvet belly lantern shark, Etmopterus spinax (Linnaeus, 1758), were caught in the deep seas of Northern Cyprus by using a bottom trawl. Sampling was carried out using 13 trawling operations. The collected samples were placed in 4% formalin and stored at the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University, (catalogue number: MEUFC-18-11-082). As a sampling area, the depths between 274 and 641 m were selected. Other cartilaginous fish caught during sampling except E. spinax were Galeus melastomus (1 individual), Squalus acanthias (4 individuals), Scyliorhinus canicula (85 individuals). E. spinax made up 10.89% of all cartilaginous fishes which were caught. Species identification for all fishes caught is made with the help of morphological features.

Two specimens of slender sunfish R. laevis were recorded from two locations in İskenderun Bay at depths between 0 and 24 m. The first specimen, a female, was collected via purse seine net during a benthic survey carried out in Iskenderun coast on April 2016, and the other specimen, a male, was caught at the sea surface by gill net from the Payas coast on May 2018. The fishes were 565 mm and 375 mm in total length (TL) and 4450 g and 1750 g total weight (TW), respectively. Morphometric measurements and meristic counts of the fishes are detailed and presented in this paper. This is the first substantiated confirmation of Ranzania laevis from the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Rabbitfish (Chimaera monstrosa, Linnaeus 1758), which is a deep-sea holocephalan mostly seen between 200-1000 m in depth. The specimen of C. monstrosa was caught in the deep-seas of Northern Cyprus by a commercial bottom trawler from Turkey. The depth of sampling area is between 456 and 690 m. Species description fulfilled with the help of morphological features and metric measurements. The specimen was preserved in 4% formaldehyde and deposited in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University, (Catalogue number: MEUFC-19-11-103).

In this study, it was determined the chemical composition of the four ray species (Dasyatis pastinaca, Raja radula, Raja clavata and Torpedo marmorata) caught from Mersin Bay in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea. For this purpose, lipid levels, fatty acid profiles, macro-trace elements, and heavy metal levels in the liver and muscle tissues of the Mediterranean rays were investigated. Lipid levels of liver tissue of D. pastinaca, R. radula, R. clavata, T. marmorata were determined to be 80.21%, 53.73%, 45.57% and 45.26%, respectively; while lipid levels for muscle tissue were 1.62%, 1.31%, 1.20% and 1.43%, respectively. In the fatty acid composition of muscle tissues of the rays; ∑SFAs (total saturated fatty acids) levels were reported to be between 30.46% and 35.00%, ∑MUFAs (total saturated fatty acids) levels were 21.49% to 27.77%, ∑PUFAs (total polyunsaturated fatty acids) levels were 28.76% to 35.69%; while for liver tissues; ∑SFAs levels were reported to be between 25.76% and 31.15%, ∑MUFAs levels were 23.43% to 30.66%, ∑PUFAs levels were 21.86% to 30.54%. According to data of this current study, no potential toxic metals (Cr, As, Cd, Pb, Hg) were detected in the fish oils obtained from the tissues. Finally, it was showed that these fish had potential for fish oil production because of their having fat in the liver tissues and there were also no potential heavy metal in the both muscle oil and liver oil, being rather healthy.

Eight crab species (Eriphia verrucosa, Maja squinado, Calappa granulata, Charybdis (Goniohellenus) longicollis, Callinectes sapidus, Atergatis roseus, Portunus segnis, Maja crispata) were sampled from Mersin Bay (Northeastern Mediterranean) between September 2017 and April 2018. Three species belong to the family of Portunidae while two Maja species represent Majidae. The other crabs represent the families of Calappidae, Xanthidae, and Eriphidae. All specimens were preserved in ethanol and were deposited in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University (catalogue number:MEUDC-17-12-002 - MEUDC-18-12-009). Previous records of these crabs in the Mediterranean Sea were determined as their distributions were compared. All crab samples in the study are distributed in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea commonly.&nbsp

Aims: In this study, an individual of H. griseus was caught from the Mersin Bay and this ichthyologic note presents a new female record of H. griseus for Mersin Bay, Mediterranean coast of Turkey. This study aims to contribute to the chronological records of the species in the Mediterranean Sea. Place and Duration of Study: Yeşilovacık bay is a small bay in the west of Mersin Bay. Yeşilovacık bay which lies at approximately 36°07’n latitude, 33°37’e, longitude and about 143 km Western of in Mersin province, Turkey. Sample: On 19 March 2018 blunthose sixgill shark specimen was measured and then deposited in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, University of Mersin. Methodology: A female specimen of H. griseus with a total length (TL) of 350 cm (400 kg) was captured by a commercial trawl at a depth around of 280 m of the Yeşilovacık Bay (Northeastern Mediterranean Sea), Turkey. Total length was measured to the nearest 1 mm and the weight of the specimen was determined to the nearest kilogram. Results: Measurements of the specimen are presented and compared with the previous records of H. griseus in the Eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey (Iskenderun Bay), which are given in Table. The identification was carried out according to the previous report. Conclusion: To date specific conservation measures are not known for this species for the Northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Thus, the effect of coastal fishery for sharks should be regularly monitored and protection measures should be taken in this region in order for this shark species to continue their conservation for the next generation.

PubMedID: 30529858 Tetrodotoxin (TTX) levels in Lagocephalus sceleratus (Silverstripe blaasop), Lagocephalus spadiceus (Half-smooth golden pufferfish) and Lagocephalus suezensis (Suez puffer) caught in Mersin Bay in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea were analysed using Q-TOF LC/MS. Pufferfish were caught using trawl fishing, longlining and fishing line from December 2015 to October 2016. The TTX changes in the gonads, livers, intestines, skins and muscle tissues were evaluated according to sex and season. TTX levels for L. sceleratus and L. suezensis for all tissues were in the range of 0.69–35.6 µg/g and 0.67–3.09 µg/g, respectively. The highest TTX levels were observed in the gonads of female L. sceleratus caught in the autumn, and in the skin of L. suezensis caught in the spring but no quantifiable levels of TTX were found for L. spadiceus. In conclusion, L. sceleratus and L. suezensis species caught in the North-Eastern Mediterranean are toxic, and their consumption is unsafe. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd TOVAG-115O679 This research was financially supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK); TOVAG-115O679 . We would like to thank graphic designer Yeter MERCAN for the support for the preparation of the Graphical Abstract.

In this study, eight individuals of Pempheris rhomboidea (Kossmann & Räuber, 1877) were for the first time caught in the Mersin Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Some morphometric and meristic characters of these individuals were measured. The average standard length (SL): 90.13 mm, total length (TL): 112.62 mm, the length of longest pectoral fin (LPF): 25.88 mm, the length of longest dorsal fin ray (LDF): 21.25 mm, SL/LPF: 3.88, SL/LDF: 4.24, A: III, 39-42; D: VI, 9; LL pore scales: 55-58. The ratio of eye diameter (ED) to standard length (SL) is 7.95. The presence of the non-indigenous Pempheris rhomboidea was reported for the first time from Northeastern Mediterranean Sea and second time fromTurkish marine waters.

Two mature individuals of Trypauchen vagina were caught by trawl fishing at 30 m depth in the Mersin coastal areas in September 2018. Meristic and morphometric measurements of the individuals were done and compared with its measurements reported in other studies. In previous studies; one record from Mersin Bay and in totally three records of T. vagina in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea were reported. In this study, the second record of T. vagina was reported from Mersin Bay.

The pufferfish are non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean Sea that do not have predators in the food chain. Therefore, the determination of heavy metal accumulation in pufferfish species can be considered as natural chelation for the aquatic environment. The present study, the potential usage of dentin tissue as an indicator of heavy metal bioaccumulation was examined in pufferfish species. The accumulation of Co, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mo, Ni, Se, Al, Cd, Pb, As, Cr in dentin, liver, kidney and muscle tissues of four pufferfish species (Lagocephalus sceleratus, Lagocephalus spadiceus, Lagocephalus suezensis, and Torquigener flavimaculosus) were captured in the Goksu River and Yesjlovacik coasts of Turkey by a commercial trawler. The different bioaccumulation levels were found in each species in terms of metals concentrations and tissues. The metal levels in dentine tissue were found to be similar to the brain. Aluminium had the highest accumulation among these tissues. The liver and gill tissues showed the same bioaccumulation properties with each other. Zn had the highest accumulation among these tissues (P < 0.05). The muscle was different from metabolically active tissues in terms of metal accumulation that arsenic had the highest bioaccumulation (P < 0.05). Fe, Se, As, Zn, Cu, Cr and Al were accumulated in all tissue types, however, only Se was not detected in dentin tissue. On the other hand, Co, Ni, Mo, Cd and Pb were not detected in any tissue types. The relative accumulation of metals in dentin tissue was determined as Al > Zn > Cr > Fe > As > Cu. The present study for the first time revealed that dentin tissue can be used as an indicator tissue for toxicology studies that metal accumulations in dentin were determined in parallel with other examined tissues of pufferfish species.

The Bigeye Thresher Shark Alopias superciliosus Lowe, 1841 is one of the largest shark species found in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. They also have started to be seen in the Mediterranean Sea since the 1980s. The presence of two different species of Thresher sharks in Turkish waters is known, which are A. vulpinus and A. superciliosus. Thresher sharks can easily be distinguished from other shark species with their big tails. A juvenile female specimen of A. superciliosus with a total length of 240 cm was caught incidentally in Mersin Bay in January 2020. Essential measurements of the fish were fulfilled and the specimen was deposited in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University (catalog number: MEUFC-20-11-127). This study is the first record of A. superciliosus in Mersin Bay.

Blunthead puffer Sphoeroides pachygaster (Müller and Troschel, 1848) is a circumglobally distributed Tetraodontid found in temperate and tropical waters. It is believed to have colonized the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. There are relatively few records of this fish in the Mediterranean Sea. On March 2020, a mature female individual was caught incidentally by a commercial fisher in Northern Cyprus. The fish was 520 mm in total length and 1200 grams in total weight. Detailed morphometrics and meristics were reported. This study is the first substantiated record of S. pachygaster from Cyprus waters, and the specimen is the largest blunthead puffer reported with a 455 mm standard length and 520 mm total length.

On 08 April 2019, a mature female striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833), 185 cm in length (TL), was found dead across the shores of the Mersin Naval Museum, Mersin on the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Striped dolphins may accidentally enter the fishing nets, which may be one of the reasons for their death. Although this species has been classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN list, considering the frequency of deaths among this species, the necessity to develop species conservation strategies for the Mediterranean was once again proven by the death of this individual.

This paper presents the new occurence of the the red lionfish (Pterois volitans Linnaeus 1758). The lessepsian red lionfish Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) (Actinoptery: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae), in the native Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, living alone on the hillside and around the coral reefs and rocky bottom layers, usually at depths of 0-50 m, is an invasive species for the Mediterranean. A male specimen of the red lionfish was caught alive by a commercial trawl fishing boat in the North-Eastern Mediterranean (Yeşilovacık Bay) (36°07'32.5"N 33°36'31.6"E) on 26 March 2017. This is the third record of P. volitans from the Mediterranean Sea basin. The present short communication reported the first record of P. volitans from Yeşilovacık Bay.

The present paper examines the impacts of gender and season variables on the nutritional composition and metal levels of warty crab caught in the central Black Sea region (Ordu). Crab samples were caught over four seasons, using gillnets, trammel net, and SCUBA diving. Results of chemical analysis showed that protein, lipid, moisture, and total mineral substance level ranges of male crabs were 20.45–22.64%, 0.95–1.27%, 75.44–77.09%, and 1.63–2.08%, while these ranges in female individuals were determined as 19.45–21.46%, 0.63–0.92%, 75.44–77.44%, and 2.08–3.28%, respectively. Macro and trace element levels in crab muscle tissue were determined as K > P > Na > Ca > Mg and Zn > Fe > Cu > Mn > Se > Ni > Mo > Co, respectively. Cd and Pb levels in crab muscle tissue were determined to be lower than the limit values given in codices independent of the seasonal variables. However, as the levels were found to be above the limit values, metal concentrations in crabs were also evaluated based on provisional tolerable daily intake and provisional tolerable weekly intake limits. © 2018, © 2018 Taylor & Francis.

Antibacterial and antioxidative effects of microencapsulated Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 cell-free supernatant (CFS) alone (MCFS) or in combination with propolis water (MPW) and ethanolic extract (MPE) on sardine burger were investigated at 4 ± 1 °C for 15 days. Morphological properties of microcapsules were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microcapsules had rough cylindrical structure and wrinkled morphology (especially the microcapsules with aqueous propolis extract). The use of microcapsules with propolis extracts maintained the sensory quality of sardine burgers. MCFS, MPW and MPE groups had 3 days longer sensorial shelf life although burgers with propolis extract (MPW and MPE groups) were more preferred by panellists. MCFS, MPW and MPE groups had a lower content of TVB-N than control. CFS from L. reuteri and propolis combinations in microencapsulation showed stronger antioxidative effect for fish burger. The highest TBA and FFA values were observed for the control (10.78 MDA/kg vs 12.98% oleic acid) and MCFS (10.67 MDA/kg vs 12.51% oleic acid) at the end of storage. Microbiological upper limit of 7 log cfu/g did not exceed for all groups during storage. Microencapsulated CFS from L. reuteri and mainly propolis water extract combinations induced a lower bacterial growth in fish burger. The results revealed that the use of Lactobacilli supernatant alone has a weak antioxidative effect whereas the microcapsules with propolis extract have the potential to be used as antioxidant, by enhancing quality characteristics of burger.

The effects of seasonal and sexual differences on the levels of macro, trace element, and toxic metal levels in Mullus barbatus were investigated using the ICP-MS. The quantity relationships of macro elements were found as K>P>Na>Ca>Mg for male, P>K>Na>Ca>Mg in female; the quantity relationships of trace elements were determined as Fe>Zn>Mn>Mo>Se>Cu>Ni>Co in male, Fe>Zn>Mn>Se>Cu>Ni>Mo>Co in female; and the quantity relationship of toxic elements were found as As>Pb>Cd in both male and female. Macro, trace, and toxic metal levels showed no significant differences (p >.05) in terms of sexuality, but demonstrated seasonal differences (p >.05). Overall, the highest level of macro elements was determined in the autumn, while the high level of trace elements was measured in the winter. The As, Cd, and Pb levels in the muscle tissue of red mullet fish were higher than acceptable limits. However, when the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Estimated Weekly Intake (EWI) of both toxic metals are considered, they appear to be below acceptable limits. As a result, it was determined that the red mullet had been contaminated with toxic metals (Cd and Pb) but their levels according to EDI and EWI were below the limit. © 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

During a Scuba survey in Iskenderun Bay at night time on November 2018, a female Urocaridella pulchella individual was observed with nocturnal cleaning on Octopus vulgaris at 16 m in depth. Some photos of the shrimp and its symbiont were taken. Although the nocturnal cleaning relationship between U. pulchella and various marine species has been reported in some studies, the nocturnal cleaning relationship between O. vulgaris and U. pulchella has been observed for the first time. In addition, in the present study, we first reported Indo-Pacific palaemonid shrimp U. pulchella which was encountered in its natural habitat during an underwater observation from Iskenderun Bay, and this report is the first observation for this area and fills a gap in the distribution range of this species. Keywords: eastern Mediterranean, Iskenderun coast, nocturnal cleaning, Palaemonidae, Turkey.

The alien opisthobranch, Aplysia dactylomela, is recorded for the first time from the Yeşilovacık Bay in 2017. One specimen of A. dactylomela was photographed at the infralittoral zone of the Bay . The length of the specimen was 35 cm. The individual was photographed while feeding on rocks covered with algae. The first record of the A. dactylomela from the Mediterranean Sea was reported from the island of Lampedusa (Central Mediterranean Sea) was reported in 2002. In the following years, A. dactylomela was reported from the North-Eastern Sicily, from the coast of Hatay (NE Mediterranean Sea of the Turkey), from the island of Crete (Aegean Sea), from the coast of Kaş (NE Mediterranean Sea of the Turkey), from the Cirkewwa (Malta), from the Akhziv submarine canyon (Israel), from the island of Paros (Aegean Sea), from the island of Susac (Crotia), from the Montenegro (SE Adriatic Sea), from the Egadi Islands marine protected area (western Sicily), from the Capo San Donato harbour (Ligurian Sea).

Aromatic plants comprise many biologically active compounds such as mainly anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory characteristics. The demand for these plants and their derivatives has became popular since they are natural and generally recognized as safe products. Thus, chemical composition of volatile oils, obtained from Myrtus communis (Myrtle), Citrus sinensis (Lemon), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon), Laurus nobilis (Laurel), and Lavandula stoechas (Lavender) were analysed. It was reported that the main components of M. communis were 1,8 cineole (29.68 %), linalool (15.03 %), α-pinene (12.41 %) while volatile components of C. sinensis were found to be limonene (57.78 %), β-pinene (10.38 %). C. zeylanicum contained cinnamaldehyde (34.31 %), propylene glycol acetal (26.82 %), cinnamal (16.54 %). The components of L. nobilis were 1,8 cineole (29.75 %), camphor (9.85 %). In addition, L. stoechas contained camphor (36.69 %), α-thujene (21.37 %), 1,8 cineole...

PubMedID: 27211655 The toxicity of tetrodotoxin (TTX) in pufferfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) from Mersin Bay in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea was measured using a mouse bioassay (MBA) and LC-MS-MS. Pufferfish were caught by trawl fishing, longlining and fishing line from December 2012 to October 2013. Changes in the levels of TTX in the gonads, livers, intestines, skins and muscles as a function of season and sex were determined. The gonads of female fish were toxic in all seasons (>2 µg/g), whereas the gonads of male fish were only toxic in the spring and autumn. The highest TTX levels in gonads, livers, intestines and skins of female fish were 52.1, 46.2, 7.64 and 3.43 µg/g, respectively, using LC-MS-MS. The TTX level in the muscle of female fish in winter was 2.83 µg/g but was otherwise below the toxic limit. Consequently, it can be dangerous to consume pufferfish, including the edible muscle, from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. SÜF2013YL3 This study was financially supported by Cukurova University , Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (Project No: SÜF2013YL3).

In this study, it was aimed to present the morphometric and meristic data of Carcharhinusbrevipinna (Müller & Henle, 1839) which caught from Mersin Bay (coordinate: 36°13'44.8"N34°01'42.1"E, 36°14'28.2"N 34°02'19.6"E) in February 2019. The total length of this shark specimen,which caught from a depth of 20 m, is 115 cm, and its weight is 11.5 kg. Morphometricmeasurements of the individual made, its photographs were taken and given the catalog number(MEUFC-19-11-104) and recorded in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, MersinUniversity.

In the present study, the volatile compounds of essential oil of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Salvia officinalis (sage), Vitis vinifera (grape), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using the Nist and Willey libraries. It was determined that the main components of Foeniculum sp. were anethole (41.11%), carvacrol (9.18%). whereas main components of Salvia sp were 1.8 cineole (34.09%), caryophyllene (10.95%), camphor (9.44%), α-pinene (8.42%). Vitis sp. contained linoleic acid (36.98%), 2,4-decadienal (30.79%). Finally, volatile component of Lavandula sp. was linalool (33.57%), linalyl acetate (30.74%). Photoxic antibacterial activity of volatile oil of those plants against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25293), Klebsiella pneumoniae (10031), Salmonella thyphimurium, Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25925), Enterococcus feacalis (ATCC 29212) were examined by using disc diffusion method. We demonstrated that volatile oil effectively can be activated by a standard LED light. In vitro, significant phototoxicity was demonstrated by volatile oil of Foeniculum sp. and Vitis sp. (P < 0.05), while minor phototoxicity was induced by Lavandula sp. Therefore, volatile oil of plant can be considered as a potential photosensitizer in the photochemical therapy.

The effects of season and sex on the nutritional quality of muscle types (lump crab meatLCM, claw crab meat-CCM) of swimming crab (Portunus segnis) and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) were investigated. Carapace width, carapace length and total weight of both crab species were measured. High protein content in spring and low protein content in autumn were observed for both crab species. The levels of lipid content of both crab species were found to be similar. Higher lipid contents in spring and winter, lower lipid contents in summer and autumn for both sexes were found. Although both crab species contain small amounts of fat, they are good sources of n-3 PUFA content (especially EPA and DHA) for all seasons regardless of sex and muscle types.

On 10 November 2017, a young male common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), 185 cm in total length (TL), was found dead on the Mersin Marina (36°46'065"N, 34°34'212"E) in Northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Measurements of the sample performed and documented. The specimen buried to obtain the skeleton of the individual. At the end of this process, the sample was deposited in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University, (Catalogue no: MEUMC-17- 11-001). The morphometric measurements can contribute to ongoing fisheries biology and taxonomic studies of T. truncatus from Mediterranean Sea waters. During routine fishing activities, common bottlenose dolphins can be caught in fishing nets and drowned. This issue leads to an extra population loss in addition to environmental factors that cause dolphin deaths. At the national level, measures should be implemented to protect dolphins and other marine species caught off -target.

Eighty-five specimens of the lesser spotted dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula Linnaeus, 1758, was caught by a bottom trawl in the international waters of the Mersin Bay in May 2018. Some of the caught individuals were preserved in 4% formalin and was deposited in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University, (catalogue number: MEUFC-18-11-079). The depth of sampling area is between 274 and 641 m. A total of 13 trawling operations were carried out. The total number of caught individuals was 85 and on average 5 individuals were caught in each operation. The other cartilaginous fishes caught apart from S. canicula were Galeus melastomus (1 individual), Squalus acanthias (4 individuals), Etmopterus spinax (11 individuals) and S. canicula made up 84.16% of all cartilaginous fishes which were caught.

In this study, the proximate composition of muscle tissue was investigated in lion fish (P. miles), which has a high invasion potency in the Mediterranean. At the same time, the potentials of accumulation of essential and toxic metals in brain, gill, muscle and liver tissues have been examined. The study was carried out with 4 lion fish individuals (1st individual 278 g, 28 cm, 2nd individual 55 g, 19 cm, 3rd individual 68 g, 20 cm, 4th individual 92 g, 22 cm) caught from the Yeşilovacık Bay in 2016. Water, crude protein, total lipid, total mineral substance (TMS) percentages were found to be 75.68-77.62%, 20.05-21.08%, 1.11-1.84%, 1.22-1.54 in P. miles, respectively. The percentage of fatty acids in lionfish ranged from 34.26% to 37.57% saturated fatty acids (SFAs), from 24.99% to 27.99 % monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and from 20.49% to 49.31% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Dominant fatty acids are palmitic acid and stearic acid from SFAs, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, cetoleic acid from MUFAs, EPA and DHA from PUFAs. The accumulation levels of heavy metals in the tissues were found as Fe> Zn> As> Cu> Cr> Pb, respectively. The accumulation levels of each metal in the tissues were determined as follows: liver>gill>brain>muscle (29.19-384.43 μg g-1dw) for Fe, gill>brain>liver>muscle (16.08-56.68 μg g-1dw) for Zn, muscle>brain>gill>liver (2.69-7.88 μg g-1dw) for As, liver> brain>gill>muscle (0.74-7.05 μg g-1dw) for Cu, brain>gill>muscle>liver (0.35-2.67 μg g-1dw) for Cr, brain>gill>muscle>liver (0.26-2.11 μg g-1dw) for Pb. As a result; while lionfish muscle tissue contains high levels of protein, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals and trace elements, it has been determined that levels of heavy metals in this consumable tissue are not at levels that could threaten human health.

In this study, the relationships were determined between the macro (Na, Mg, P, K, Ca), potential toxic metal, As, and trace element, Zn, levels of the muscle tissue and fish size (length and weight) in Serranus cabrilla (Linnaeus, 1758) caught via bottom trawl boat from the Yeşilovacık Bay (Northeastern Mediterranean, Turkey). The potential toxic metal, macro and trace element levels of the muscle tissue of S. cabrilla were determined. Besides, the relationships between fish size and metal levels were investigated. For this study, S. cabrilla individuals of 0-1, 1-2 and 2-3 age groups were used. Min-Max total length of the age groups was determined as 10.5-11.8, 13.0-15.5 and 15.8-16.5 cm; Min-Max weights were 15.34-23.66, 30.41-43.82 and 41.89-58.18 g respectively. There was no statistical difference between the age groups according to the macro and trace element levels of muscle tissue. The Arsenic levels of the muscle tissue were high and in general displayed variation with age. The present study firstly reported the relationship between mineral-metal levels and individual size-age of S. cabrilla.

PubMedID: 29698756 The differences of tetrodotoxin (TTX) levels in various parts of pufferfish (Torquigener flavimaculosus) were examined in conjunction with the seasonal and sexual variations. The TTX levels in gonads, liver, intestines, skin and muscle tissue were determined using the Q-TOF LC/MS. Instrumental analysis revealed that all examined tissues from T. flavimaculosus contained high TTX concentrations. TTX levels in the gonads, liver, intestines, skin and muscle tissue of pufferfish were within the range of 5.03–100.71, 7.04–106.80, 12.59–86.30, 33.95–139.88 and 15.88–86.07 (µg/g), respectively. It was determined that in all seasons, except for summer, female individuals had higher TTX levels than males. Among all seasons, the highest level of TTX was found in winter and the lowest in autumn. Consequently, T. flavimaculosus is a highly toxic pufferfish that is dangerous for human consumption and should not be consumed under any circumstances. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd TOVAG-115O679 This research was financially supported by TUBITAK (Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) ; TOVAG-115O679 [Determination of Sexual and Seasonal Variation of Tetrodotoxin (TTX) Levels in the Pufferfish from the Mersin Bay]. Appendix A

In this study, the effects of seasonal variation in proximate composition and fatty acid profile as a component of chemical compositions of Mediterranean Sea anemone species (Actinia equina L.,1758) living in Mersin Bay were investigated. Chemical composition analysis of anemone samples showed that while the highest levels of protein and water were obtained in winter, the highest lipid and total mineral substance (TMS) levels were obtained in autumn. In terms of fatty acid analysis, during all four seasons the dominant saturated fatty acids (SFA) were palmitic (C16:0) and stearic acids (C18:0), the dominant monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were oleic (C18:1n9) and vaccenic acids (C18:1n7) and the dominant polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were linoleic acids (C18:2n6), linolenic acid (C18:3n3), gamma linolenic acid (C18:3n6), arachidonic acid (C20:4n6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n3) for A. equina. The highest values of gamma linolenic acid, EPA and DHA levels were obtained in autumn as 0.44%, 14.83% and 14.10%, respectively.

Summary: The effects of extracted natural antioxidant (laurel and myrtle) on the sensory, chemical (TVB-N, TBARS, PV, FFA and pH) and microbiological (total viable count, psychrotrophic bacteria and Enterbacteriaceae counts) properties of vacuum-packaged European eel (Anguilla anguilla) stored at 4 ± 1 °C were investigated. The TBARS values of myrtle were significantly lower than that of other groups. The peroxide value was low for European eel treated with myrtle and laurel extract. The FFA-free fatty acid concentration increased from 0.44 (% oleic acid) (2.03) in the eel during 24 days of storage. The values of pH showed statistically significant (P < 0.05) changes for all groups. The myrtle significantly reduced bacterial growth in fillets (P < 0.05). The microbiological limit of 7 log cfu per gram did not exceed in the treated groups. Data showed that the extracts of myrtle and laurel contain substances that inhibit oxidation of lipids and growth of bacteria in European eel, indicating the potential value of these extracts to extend the shelf life of fish. © 2013 Institute of Food Science and Technology.

In this Collective Article on “New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records”, we present additional records of species found in the Mediterranean Sea. These records refer to eight different countries mainly throughout the northern part of the basin, and include 28 species, belonging to five Phyla. The findings per country include the following species: Spain: Callinectes sapidus and Chelidonura fulvipunctata; Monaco: Aplysia dactylomela; Italy: Charybdis (Charybdis) feriata, Carcharodon carcharias, Seriola fasciata, and Siganus rivulatus; Malta: Pomacanthus asfur; Croatia: Lagocephalus sceleratus and Pomadasys incisus; Montenegro: Lagocephalus sceleratus; Greece: Amathia (Zoobotryon) verticillata, Atys macandrewii, Cerithium scabridum, Chama pacifica, Dendostrea cf. folium, Ergalatax junionae, Septifer cumingii, Syphonota geographica, Syrnola fasciata, Oxyu- richthys petersi, Scarus ghobban, Scorpaena maderensis, Solea aegyptiaca and Upeneus pori; Turkey: Lobotes surinamensis, Ruvettus pretiosus and Ophiocten abyssicolum. In the current article, the presence of Taractes rubescens (Jordan & Evermann, 1887) is recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean from Italy. The great contribution of citizen scientists in monitoring biodiversity records is reflected herein, as 10% of the authors are citizen scientists, and contributed 37.5% of the new findings., peer-reviewed

Beta-hydroxy-gamma-trimethyl amino butyric acid (L-carnitine) content of raw and cooked seafood was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography method. Thirty-one different fish species and nine different crustaceans were used to compare L-carnitine content of raw and cooked seafood. Significant differences in L-carnitine content were found in some species, regardless of the raw or cooked seafood (P

Summary The objective of this study was to determine the seasonal and sexual effects on metal levels of lump crabmeat (LCM) and chela crabmeat (CCM) of mature Atlantic blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, caught in the Mersin Bay, the north-eastern Mediterranean. The findings indicated that the annual ranges of metal levels in the LCM of Atlantic blue crab were as follows: 0.44–0.61 μg Cd g−1, 0.30–0.60 μg Cr g−1, 0.24–0.52 μg Pb g−1, 9.72–43.70 μg Cu g−1, 39.52–97.26 μg Zn g−1, 11.97–32.48 μg Fe g−1. The annual range of metal levels in the CCM of Atlantic blue crab were as follows: 0.52–1.07 μg Cd g−1, 0.24–0.61 μg Cr g−1, 0.28–0.56 μg Pb g−1, 22.17–68.09 μg Cu g−1, 93.92–175.21 μg Zn g−1, 8.81–19.47 μg Fe g−1. Cd, Cu, Zn levels in CCM of Atlantic blue crabs were higher than in LCM, whereas Fe levels were found lower (P

Summary The effects of combination of freezing and the use of antioxidant technology on the quality of frozen sardine fillets were investigated in terms of sensory, biochemical [thiobarbituric acid (TBA), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), peroxide value (PV) and free fatty acids (FFA)] and microbiological analyses [total viable count (TVC)]. Fish were filleted and divided into three groups. The first group was used as the control (C) without rosemary extract, the second group was treated with 1% rosemary extracts for 2 min (R1) and the third was treated with 2% rosemary extracts for 2 min (R2). All groups were frozen at −18 °C over the storage period of 6 months. The results obtained from this study showed that the combination of antioxidant and frozen storage resulted in significant reduction of bacterial growth and stabilised the biochemical characteristics, especially for R2. However, the use of antioxidant at the level of 2% (R2) gave a bitter taste according to sensory assessment whereas the panellists mostly preferred R1.

Mersin Körfezi; kentleşmeden, tarımsal faaliyetlerden ve endüstriyel kuruluşlardan kaynaklanan kirliliğin etkisi altındadır. Bu kirlilikte, ağır metaller önemli bir yer tutmaktadırlar. Bu araştırma, Körfez'den örneklenen iki Patella türü ile yüzey suyundaki Cd, Pb ve Cr düzeylerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Bu amaçla Mersin Körfezi'nin en fazla kirlilik alan kısmını tanımlayacak şekilde Kazanlı, Karaduvar, Mersin Limanı ve Mezitli'den P. caerulea, P. rustica ve yüzey suyu örneklenmiştir. Her örnekleme bölgesinin farklı noktalarından, bir türe ait toplam 25 birey alınmıştır. Kazanlı ve Mersin Limanından yapılan örneklemelerde P. rustica'ya rastlanmamıştır. Kabuk indeksi (KI) değerleri P. caerulea ve P. rustica için sırasıyla ortalama 1,91 ve 2,36 olarak belirlenmiştir. Kazanlı ve Karaduvar istasyonlarından alınan P. caerulea örneklerinde Cr düzeyi daha yüksek çıkmıştır. Yine diğer istasyonlara göre Mersin Limanı örneklerinde daha yüksek düzeyde Cd belirlenmiştir. Diğer istasyonlara göre Kazanlı'da Pb düzeyi daha yüksek çıkmıştır. P. rustica için, istatistik fark göstermemekle birlikte, Mezitli'ye göre Karaduvar'da daha yüksek metal düzeyleri belirlenmiştir. Iki türün metal derişimleri karşılaştırıldığında, P. rustica'nın daha yüksek düzeyde Cd ve Cr içerdiği saptanmıştır., Mersin Bay is under the effects of pollution, resulted from urbanization, agriculture and industrial processes. Trace metals is an important source of this pollution. The aim of this study is to determine the levels of concentrations of Cd, Pb and Cr in two Patellla species and seawater collected from Mersin Bay. Sampling of P. caerulea, P. rustica and surface water was carried out in Kazanlı, Karaduvar, Mersin Port and Mezitli region which was mainly affected from pollution. From each species, 25 individuals were collected from each sampling point. P. rustica was not observed in Kazanlı and Mersin Port. The shell indices of P. caerulea and P. rustica was calculated as mean 1.91 and 2.36, respectively. Cr concentrations in P. caerulea collected from Kazanlı and Karaduvar was higher than other sampling points. Whilst the Mersin Port was characterized by higher Cd concantrations. Kazanlı was characterized by high levels of Pb concentrations. Higher trace metal concentrations were found in P. rustica collected from Karaduvar compared to Mezitli although there was no significant difference between these sampling points. When the trace metal concentration of two species were compared, it was observed that P. rustica contaminated higher amount of Cd and Cr concentrations.

In this study; proximate composition and three trace elements level of Liza ramada which were caught from military seaport of Mersin Gulf were determined. The average protein, fat, moisture and ash contents of muscle tissue are 16.02-17.66, 0.25-0.47, 80.70-82.19, 1.25-1.28 %, respectively. In addition, the average trace metal concentrations in the muscle and liver tissues varied in the following ranges respectively: Cu, 1.25-1.65; Fe, 11.78-12.92; Zn, 21.72-27.30; Cu, 875-2066; Fe, 1491-1825; Zn, 161-198 μg/g dry weight. According to the age, muscle tissue protein levels showed a decrease, while fat levels increases. Also tissue moisture levels increase in some quantity according to the age. There were no statistical difference between the age groups according to the Cu, Fe and Zn levels of muscle tissue. This state can be explained by the muscle tissue being less active in trace element cycle. Element levels of the liver tissue demonstrated an increase according to the age. The Cu level in the liver was especially high. Variations in liver tissue element levels can be explained by the liver tissue being more active in trace element metabolism., Bu çalışmada; Mersin Körfezi'nin Askeri Liman alanından yakalanan, Liza ramada türü balıkların kimyasal kompozisyonu ve bazı eser element düzeyleri belirlenmiştir. Kas dokusu protein, yağ, nem ve kül düzeyi ortalamalarının, yüzde olarak sırasıyla, 16,02-17,66, 0,25-0,47, 80,70-82,19 ve 1,25-1,28 değerleri arasında değiştiği belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca kas ve karaciğer dokuları ortalama eser element düzeyi; sırasıyla, Cu, 1,25- 1,65; Fe, 11,78-12,92; Zn, 21,72-27,30; Cu, 875-2066; Fe, 1491-1825; Zn, 161-168 ?g/g değerleri arasında değişmektedir. Yaşa bağlı olarak kas dokusu ham protein düzeyi düşüş, ham yağ düzeyi ise artış göstermiştir. Yine yaşa bağlı olarak doku su düzeyi bir miktar artış göstermiştir. Kas dokusu Cu, Fe ve Zn düzeyi bakımından yaş grupları arasında istatistik fark bulunmamaktadır. Bu durum kas dokusunun eser element döngüsü bakımından daha az aktif olması ile açıklanabilir. Karaciğer dokusu element düzeyi yaşa bağlı olarak artış göstermiştir. Özellikle karaciğer dokusu Cu düzeyi çok yüksektir. Karaciğer dokusu metal düzeyinin değişim göstermesi, bu dokunun eser element metabolizmasında çok aktif olması ile açıklanabilir.