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.
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.
Primary Language | English |
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Subjects | Fisheries Management |
Journal Section | Short Communications |
Authors | |
Early Pub Date | April 14, 2025 |
Publication Date | |
Submission Date | January 21, 2025 |
Acceptance Date | March 6, 2025 |
Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 8 Issue: 1 |
MedFAR is published by Mersin University, Faculty of Fisheries in English and Turkish. MedFAR does not apply any kind of publication charges.