Comparison of the Abundance of Selected Invasive Alien Species and Economically Important Native Species between Fishing and No-Fishing Zones within Marine Protected Areas: A Case Study from Türkiye, Eastern Mediterranean

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 6, 816 - 824

Vahit Alan , Fikret Öndes

https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.1773613

Abstract

Marine protected areas are management tools that necessitate the systematic and continuous monitoring of the abundances of sensitive species, economically valuable native species, and alien invasive species. This study aimed to investigate whether there are differences in the abundances of selected invasive alien species and indicator species of economic or ecological importance between fishing zones and no-fishing zones within marine protected areas. The research was conducted in two Special Environmental Protection Areas (Gökova and Datça-Bozburun, Türkiye), where data were collected across four seasons using the underwater visual census method. It has been determined that the abundances of most invasive alien species (e.g. Diadema setosum, Siganus rivulatus, Pterois miles, and Parupeneus forsskali) are higher in fishing zones compared to no-fishing zones. In contrast, the abundances of Epinephelus costae, a native and economically valuable species with relatively high population levels in the area, and Serranus scriba, an ecologically important species, are greater in no-fishing zones. The study also revealed that seasonal variations in the abundances of most species examined were statistically significant. Moreover, larger individuals of Epinephelus costae were predominantly observed in no-fishing zones. Although the study was conducted in a relatively limited area, it suggests that in marine protected areas, the decline of native predators may create opportunities for invasive alien species to become more opportunistic.

Keywords

fisheries management , invasive species , eastern Mediterranean , Epinephelus costae , Pterois miles , Siganus rivulatus

Ethical Statement

Dokuz Eylül University Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments determined that the implementation of this study does not present any ethical concerns.

Supporting Institution

The Scientific Research Projects Coordinatorship of İzmir Katip Çelebi University provided financial support for this study (Grant No. 2023-TDR-SUÜF-0012).

Project Number

2023-TDR-SUÜF-0012

Thanks

The Scientific Research Projects Coordinatorship of İzmir Katip Çelebi University provided financial support for this study (Grant No. 2023-TDR-SUÜF-0012). This study originates from the first author’s PhD dissertation project.

Türkiye’nin Güney Ege Kıyılarındaki Deniz Koruma Alanlarında Balıkçılığa Açık ve Balıkçılığa Kapalı Alanlarda Seçilmiş İstilacı Yabancı Türler ile Ekonomik Açıdan Önemli Yerli Türlerin Bolluğunun Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

Deniz koruma alanları, hassas türlerin, ekonomik açıdan değerli yerli türlerin ve yabancı istilacı türlerin bolluklarının sistematik ve sürekli olarak izlenmesini gerektiren yönetim araçlarıdır. Bu çalışma, deniz koruma alanları içerisinde avcılığa izin verilen bölgeler ile avcılığın yasaklandığı bölgeler arasında seçilmiş yabancı istilacı türler ile ekonomik veya ekolojik öneme sahip indikatör türlerin bolluklarında farklılık olup olmadığını araştırmayı amaçlamıştır. Araştırma, dört mevsim boyunca sualtı görsel sayım yöntemi kullanılarak veri toplanan iki Özel Çevre Koruma Bölgesi’nde (Gökova ve Datça-Bozburun, Türkiye) yürütülmüştür. Çoğu istilacı yabancı türün (e.g. Diadema setosum, Siganus rivulatus, Pterois miles ve Parupeneus forsskali) bolluklarının avcılığa izin verilen bölgelerde, avcılığın yasaklandığı bölgelere kıyasla daha yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Buna karşılık, bölgede nisbeten yüksek populasyon ile temsil edilen yerli ve ekonomik açıdan değerli türlerden Epinephelus costae ile ekolojik açıdan önemli Serranus scriba’nın bolluklarının avcılığın yasaklandığı bölgelerde daha yüksektir. Bu çalışmada incelenen çoğu türün mevsimsel bolluk farklılıklarının istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olduğu ortaya konmuştur. Ayrıca, Epinephelus costae’nin daha büyük bireyleri ağırlıklı olarak avcılığın yasaklandığı bölgelerde gözlemlenmiştir. Çalışma nispeten sınırlı bir alanda gerçekleştirilmiş olsa da, deniz koruma alanlarında yerli yırtıcıların bolluklarının azalması durumunda yabancı istilacı türlerin fırsatçı hale gelme potansiyeline sahip olabileceklerini düşünmemize sebep olmaktadır.

Keywords

balıkçılık yönetimi , istilacı türler , doğu Akdeniz , Epinephelus costae , Pterois miles , Siganus rivulatus

Ethical Statement

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hayvan Deneyleri Yerel Etik Kurulu, bu çalışmanın uygulanmasında etik açıdan herhangi bir sakınca bulunmadığına karar vermiştir.

Supporting Institution

İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinatörlüğü bu çalışmaya mali destek sağlamıştır (Proje No: 2023-TDR-SUÜF-0012).

Project Number

2023-TDR-SUÜF-0012

Thanks

İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinatörlüğü bu çalışmaya mali destek sağlamıştır (Proje No: 2023-TDR-SUÜF-0012). Bu çalışma, birinci yazarın doktora tez projesinden üretilmiştir.

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