Range Extension of European Hake from The Eastern Black Sea Coasts of Turkey

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Öztürk R. Ç., Karadurmuş U., Aydin M.

Journal of Agricultural Faculty of Gaziosmanpasa University, cilt.39, sa.1, ss.19-24, 2022 (Hakemli Dergi) identifier

Özet

Eight specimens of European hake, Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) were caught in 2021 by commercial gill net from the Eastern Black Sea coasts of Turkey. The total length of the specimens ranged from 12.3 to 22.3 cm. Mitochondrial gene regions of 16S rRNA and COI were analyzed to genetically characterize M. merluccius specimens. This record is the first confirmed report suggesting that M. merluccius has expanded its distribution range eastward in the Black Sea. The occurrence of the species at different times and in a wide depth range (20-92 m) strengthens our opinion that this species is adapted to the region. We highlight that the current status of environmental factors for a productive habitat may increase the biomass level of European hake in the long run in the Eastern Black Sea.