A new maximum size record of the Conger conger (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Turkish Seas

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 5, 561 - 566

Mehmet Aydın , Adil Sözer , Uğur Karadurmuş

https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.1696720

Öz

The European conger (Conger conger) is the largest species within the Congridae family and an ecologically significant top predator in marine ecosystems. Although exceptionally large individuals are rarely observed in regular fishery catches, their documentation is crucial for biological and ecological research. This study reports the largest known specimen of European conger recorded in Turkish seas to date. The specimen was captured on May 13, 2025, at a depth of 65 m off the coast of Medreseönü Village in the Gulf of Fatsa (eastern Black Sea) using a turbot gillnet. The male individual measured 167.0 cm in total length and weighed 10.750 kg. Morphological measurements and sex identification were conducted using standard procedures. This individual is also the third largest European conger reported in the Mediterranean region. The species’ late maturation, semelparous reproduction, and vulnerability to fishing pressure highlight the importance of updating maximum size records for stock assessment and management.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Maximum length, weight , Congridae , Conger eel , Türkiye

Türkiye Karasularında Conger conger (Linnaeus, 1758) Türünün Yeni Maksimum Boy Kaydı

Öz

Avrupa müren balığı (Conger conger), Congridae familyasının en büyük türüdür ve deniz ekosistemlerinde ekolojik olarak önemli bir üst predatördür. Genellikle balıkçılık avlarında olağanüstü büyük bireylerle nadiren karşılaşılmasına rağmen, bu bireylerin belgelenmesi biyolojik ve ekolojik araştırmalar açısından büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bu çalışma, şimdiye kadar Türkiye denizlerinde kaydedilen en büyük Avrupa müren balığını rapor etmektedir. Söz konusu birey, 13 Mayıs 2025 tarihinde, Fatsa Körfezi’nin (doğu Karadeniz) Medreseönü Köyü açıklarında 65 m derinlikte kalkan ağlarında yakalanmıştır. Yakalanan erkek bireyin toplam uzunluğu 167.0 cm, ağırlığı ise 10.750 kg olarak ölçülmüştür. Morfolojik ölçümler ve cinsiyet tayini standart prosedürlere uygun şekilde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu birey aynı zamanda Akdeniz’de kaydedilen en büyük üçüncü Avrupa müren balığıdır. Türün geç olgunlaşması, tek seferlik üremesi (semelpar) ve av baskısına karşı hassasiyeti, stok değerlendirmesi ve yönetimi açısından maksimum boy kayıtlarının güncellenmesinin önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Maksimum boy, ağırlık , Congridae , Müren balığı , Türkiye

Kaynakça

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