The first modern semi-intensive commercial farm was built by the Government in 1961. FAO fisheries statistics for 2015 indicate that of the Egyptian total production from all sources 1.2 million tonnes (78%) are from aquaculture. Furthermore, the fisheries trade statistics show a negative balance of trade as Egypt imported in 2015 almost 500 000 tonnes of seafood commodities at the cost of US $ 768.4 million while exporting only about 32 900 tonnes valued at US $ 31.7 million causing a drain on hard currencies as well as the prices of seafood commodities in the local markets increased substantially. With a population rapidly increasing reaching 104 million people in 2017, low employment, rising fish prices, increasing imports of seafood commodities and other serious developmental activities, the Government decided to embark on large-scale integrated fin fish and shrimp aquaculture projects which aim at becoming self-sufficient, minimize imports, job creation, reduce seafood prices in the local market and export high value species to earn hard currencies. Two such major projects were recently established: One at Birkat Ghalioun in the Egyptian Nile Delta region along the Mediterranean Sea and the other is along the East Suez Canal zone. The question remains, however, if these two mega projects, when fully implemented, along with other small-scale aquaculture projects across Egypt would actually achieve the developmental objectives these projects promise as well as reduce prices of fish to local consumers?

A male specimen of the slender snipe eel, Nemichthys scolopaceus (Richardson, 1848), was caught by a trawl in the North-Eastern Mediterranean (Büyükeceli coast) on 04 February 2018. The present paper reported the first record of N. scolopaceus from the Büyükeceli coast and fifth record from the Turkish coastal waters. Besides, it was reported that for the first time an adult male individual of this species was caught from a shallow water (100 m). Previous records of the species have been recorded from the Marmaris coast, Kuşadası Bay, Antalya Bay, and Mersin Bay in Turkey.

In this review current situation and the development of the seafood processing sector in some selected Mediterranean countries will be given. To give an idea of the scale of the trade, better to mention the amount of fish consumption rates of the countries. European Mediterranean countries consume almost 7.5 million tonnes of seafood each year, these countries just produce 2.75 million tonnes of domestic fish and seafood products annually and import 1.8 million tonnes of fish and seafood products from the other Mediterranean countries just in the region every year. There is a serious difference between in seafood consumption between EU member countries and African countries which are locating in Mediterranean. The reasons behind these differences in consumption are diverse, and are related not only to cultural and gastronomic habits, demography and standards of living, but also to general logistics issues, such as deficiencies in road communications and lack of wholesale food markets and processing plants. A balance of this trade should be stabilized and the solution can be transferring the processing technologies by using the EU founds and supports for these non-member Mediterranean countries.

An immature specimen of the blackmouth catshark, Galeus melastomus Rafinesque, 1810, was caught by a bottom trawl in the international waters of the Mersin Bay in May 2018. (Coordinates: 36.24853N-34.36491E, 36.18839N-43.38847E, 36.17065N-34.40686E, and 36.07227N-34.53326E). This specimen was preserved in 4% formalin and was deposited in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University, (catalogue number: MEUFC-18-11-078). The species belongs to the family Scyliorhinidae of the Carchariniformes order and is of Atlantic origin. This species recorded earlier from Israel Open Waters, and Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Sea. This is the second record for Turkish Coastal Waters and the first record for Mersin Bay.

Rugulopteryx okamurae , a brown alga native to the temperate western Pacific Ocean, was discovered for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea in 2002, in the Thau Lagoon (France). A new population of R. okamurae was discovered in Belyounech Beach with the observation of some specimens fixed near the harbour of Tanger (Strait of Gibraltar-Morocco). As well, the remarkable record of this alga stranded in M’diq beach (Alboran Sea-Morocco). Since its introduction R. okamurae has established in the Thau Lagoon (France), self-sustaining populations without displaying an invasive behaviour. Contrary, the newly discovered population in Morocco would classify as invasive. This new record gives the range extension, of this invasive alga, from the southwest of Alboran Sea to the southwestern limit of Gibraltar. The presence of this invasive seaweed in the area may affect negatively the native alga, seagrass and native fauna including fish community.

The most important fishing rule implemented in Turkish lagoon fishery is distance between the reeds (stick) of the barrier traps should not be less than 3 cm. Based on this arrangement, usually 3 cm bar spacing reeds and sometimes 3 cm square mesh wires are used in lagoon barrier traps. The body shape of fish may be the most important factor necessary to understand the consequences of changes in barrier trap selectivity. For this reason, data were collected to determine the relevant dimensions of fish body in relation to openness of a barrier trap of coastal lagoons along the Aegean coast of Turkey in 2013. As Minimum Landing Size (MLS) was built on Total Length (TL) basis, regression analyses were carried out to find out the relationships between the TL and the other measured dimensions (width and height) of the fish using least-square regression. Morphometric measurements of fish species caught in barrier traps show a great variation. While all Common sole individuals pass from the 3 distance with its width, all Flathead grey mullet and European sea bass individuals retained behind the sticks of the barrier trap. All Gilthead sea bream individuals under 25 cm TL pass the distance. However, many Golden grey mullet and European eel individuals retain at the barrier traps with theirs width. The implemented 3 cm bar spacing in Turkish lagoon barrier traps is thought to be suitable only for sea bass with a 1% reduction. However, the bar spacing is not suitable for Sea bream, Common sole, European eel due to commercial loss and for Flat head grey mullet and Golden grey mullet capturing small individuals below their MLS. For this reason, a graded barrier system with different bar spaces or regulation according to the biology of the fish species and migration seasons can benefit sustainable lagoon fishery. In this respect, the continuously changing distance paradox in barrier traps will be overtaken in Turkey.

Inthis issue of MedFAR, Spotlight corner introduces CERES project. CERES projectis funded by European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research & Innovation Programunder grant agreement No. 678193. CERES is led by Prof. Dr. Myron PECK(Institute of Hydrobiology and Fisheries Science, University of Hamburg). It isa four-years project which started in March 2016.CEREScovers a wide geographic area across European marine and inland waters. Frommarine regions which are open systems (NE Atlantic, Arctic) to enclosed basins(Mediterranean and Baltic sea).26research Institutions (including Mersin University) and industry partners from15 countries are involved in CERES. Several Mediterranean institutions andindustry partners are in CERES project.Inshort; CERES has adopted a proactive approach towards interaction betweenclimate change and capture fisheries/aquaculture industries. It is constructedaround two main pillars namely; awareness building concerning climate changeand its potential impacts on fisheries/aquaculture at sectoral levels(Stakeholders) and understanding and anticipating the impact of climate changeon capture fisheries & aquaculture production systems to formulateappropriate adaptive management measures.CERESfocuses on cause-and-effect understanding of how climate change will influenceEurope’s most important fish and shellfish resources and the related economicactivities. And will provide the knowledge and tools needed to successfullyadapt European fisheries and aquaculture sectors in marine and inland waters toanticipated climate change. CERES will identify and communicate risks,opportunities and uncertainties thereby enhancing the resilience and supportingthe development of adaptive management and governance systems for both capturefisheries and aquaculture within blue growth concept (http://ceresproject.eu).Aleading aquaculture producer in Eastern Mediterranean, both Turkish marine (Seabass & Sea Bream) and inland (Rainbow trout) aquaculture sectors areintegrated in CERES Project through several work packages. Mersin University isan academic partner institution in CERES while Kılıç Seafood is engaged in theproject as an industry partner.Forfurther information regarding CERES please visit: http://ceresproject.eu.

Because essential fatty acids have an important role in human health, there is a growing interest in fatty acids profile and nutritional quality of fish, originating from both marine and freshwater resources. This research was performed to determine the seasonal changes in nutritional quality, fatty acids composition and energy contents of Prussian carp inhabiting in Lake Çıldır, Turkey. Fatty acids profile demonstrated high monounsaturated fatty acids content that was changed from 44.82 in spring to 41.28% in autumn. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) content was changed from 30.35 in summer to 29.40% in autumn. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content was the highest in summer (25.02%) and the lowest in spring (21.52%). Major fatty acids were palmitic, oleic, linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Lipid quality indexes were within the range of recommended levels for human health. According to the results biochemical composition of Prussian carp is similar in all seasons, in terms of fatty acids, the autumn season can be the most suitable season for consumption. Although being an underutilized fish species for its taste, smell, high string structure and unpleasant textural features, Prussian carp has a good quality by means of protein and essential fatty acids.

In this study, the effects of the age and individual size on total lipid content, fatty acids and elemental composition of Nemipterus randalli caught from the Mersin Bay were determined. The lipid content of all age groups was found at similar levels. However, the highest lipid level was determined in the 3+ age group (2.85%) while the lowest level was found in the 2+ age group (2.75%). Dominant fatty acids for each age group of N. randalli are palmitic acid (c16: 0), stearic acid (c18: 0), oleic acid (c18: 1), cetoleic acid (C22: 1 n 11), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20: 5 n3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22: 6 n3). The highest palmitic acid level was found in 3+ age group (20.45%) whereas the highest stearic acid level was found in the 2+ age group (15.00%). The highest oleic acid level was observed in the 3+ age group (6.47%) while the highest level of the cetoleic acid was observed in the 2+ age group (7.13%). The highest EPA and DHA were found to be 5.49% and 22.02% in the 1+ age group. Macro elements (Na, Mg, P, K), trace elements (Cu, Zn, Fe) and potentially toxic metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, As) were investigated in muscle tissue and the levels of Cr, Cu, Cd and Pb were not evaluated since their levels were below the detection limit of the device (ICP-MS). Element level of muscle tissue was changed according to different age groups as K>P>Na>Mg>Ca>Fe>As>Zn, respectively. For 1+ age group Na: 2685.1, Mg: 974.3, P: 11492.0, K: 24557.0, Ca: 348.6, Fe: 27.6, Zn: 8.4, As: 44.6 (μg g -1 dw). For the 2+ age group Na: 4959.7, Mg: 1146.9, P: 11362.0, K: 21342.0, Ca: 725.5, Fe: 41.7, Zn: 10.3, As: 39.5 (μg g -1 dw). For the 3+ age group Na: 7758.8, Mg: 1539.8, P: 11283.0, K: 19567.0, Ca: 1194.7, Fe: 53.3, Zn: 9.2, As: 275.0 (μg g -1 dw).

In this study the sensory criteria and chemical analysis of catfish marinades in tomato sauce and oil was investigated. After the marination process catfish fillets were packed in airproof plastic containers; one being plain (Group A: sun flower oil) and the other being sauced (Group B: sunflower oil and tomato sauce). Then, they were stored in +4 °C for 200 days. During storage, sensory and chemical analyses were carried out. As a result of 200 days of storage, TVB-N analysis results 15.82/16.29 mg/100g, TBA 4.94/4.81 mg MA/kg, the number of peroxide value 3.57/3.40 meq/kg, pH were 4.35/4.36 in sample marinates packaged as plain and sauced respectively. At the end of storage it was determined that African catfish marinates packaged as plain (Group A) and sauced (Group B) can be stored in +4 °C for 200 days and maintained the chemical quality criteria. The shelf life of marinated catfish was found to be 110 days for Group A, 80 days for Group B according to the results of sensory assessments.