Confirmation of the occurrence of three fish species in Maltese waters based on specimens collected through the EC’s Data Collection Framework

Abstract

Based on the examination of recently available actual specimens, obtained through the reporting required by Member States for the European Commission’s Data Collection Framework, three fishes whose presence in Maltese waters was uncertain, are now confirmed as occurring: Dentex maroccanus Valenciennes, 1830, Sphyraena viridensis Cuvier, 1829, and Sphyraena sphyraena Linnaeus, 1758. Accurate species identifica-tion is essential for reliable data collection during routine monitoring activities. It is suggested that in local fisheries records, D. maroccanus was previously misidentified as D. macrophthalmus, while despite past re-ports of alien sphyraenids, current findings confirm only native Mediterranean species of Sphyraena to be present in Maltese waters.

Keywords

• Commercial Fishing
• Fish biology
• Malta
• Marine surveys
• Misidentifications

References

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