Seasonal distribution and migration pattern of the turbot (Psetta maxima Linnaeus, 1758) in the eastern Black Sea, Republic of Turkey

Abstract

Keywords

• -,Black Sea,, Turbot

Seasonal distribution and migration pattern of the turbot (Psetta maxima Linnaeus, 1758) in the eastern Black Sea, Republic of Turkey

Abstract

In order to determine the seasonal distribution and migration pattern of the Black Sea turbot, Psetta maxima (Linnaeus, 1758) specimens were collected off Trabzon, Turkey, in the eastern Black Sea. A total of 422 specimens were caught by 364 otter trawl hauls in 95 cruises from 24 July 1997 to 19 February 1999. Average catch per unit effort per thirty minutes by the otter trawls with the mouth opening of 15 m was 1.2 individuals. Turbots were distributed between 5 m and 70 m depth, where bottom water temperatures varied from 26.4℃ to 8.0℃. They were found mainly at 10 m in July - October and at 5 - 60 m in November - March. However, the turbot were found in high densities at < 20 m depth from April to June. Therefore, it appears that Black Sea turbot migrates from deeper water to shallow coastal waters during the spawning season of April to June. Off Trabzon, P. maxima spawns in coastal areas < 20 m deep.

Keywords

• -,Black Sea,, Turbot,, CPUE,, Seasonal distribution,, Migration pattern