1. Monitoring of NIS across EU seas : Intake from expert groups to progress on good environmental statusChiara Magliozzi, Ana Cristina Cardoso, Cátia Bartilotti, Ana Fortič, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Domen Trkov, 2026, final research report Keywords: Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Descriptor 2, invasive species, workshop, monitoring
Published in DiRROS: 10.07.2026; Views: 17; Downloads: 0 |
2. Memo workshop on NonIndigenous Species: progress across MSFD criteriaChiara Magliozzi, Ana Cristina Cardoso, Gaston Alurralde, Cátia Bartilotti, Ana Fortič, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Domen Trkov, 2026, final research report Abstract: The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) hosted a workshop on marine NonIndigenous Species (NIS) within the framework of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The workshop, which took place from 10 to 12 February 2026, gathered experts from Member States and representatives of marine Regional Sea Conventions to discuss progress on monitoring, measures, and targets related to NIS. Experts acknowledged that progress has been made, but that challenges still exist in calculating monitoring efforts, setting effective targets, and assessing the impact of NIS on marine biodiversity, highlighting the need for further action to protect Europe's marine ecosystems. Researchers noted that current efforts to monitor the spread of NIS in Europe's seas are insufficient to fully understand the harm they cause, and that more work is needed to develop a shared approach to study their impact on marine ecosystems. A consensus was achieved on the need to assess the effects of NIS, which is a complex task that requires more research and cooperation. To address this challenge, the JRC will continue to work with countries experts to develop new methods and strategies for monitoring and managing NIS, with the ultimate goal of protecting Europe's marine biodiversity.
Keywords: Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Descriptor 2, invasive species, workshop, monitoring
Published in DiRROS: 10.07.2026; Views: 21; Downloads: 0 |
3. Mapping Stranded Whales in Turkish Marine WatersCemal Turan, Servet Ahmet Doğdu, İrfan Uysal, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The distribution of whales in the Mediterranean is primarily known through stranding records. The present study maps the stranding records of whales in Turkish marine waters to highlight the number of whale species that strand and to determine the general distribution pattern of such strandings in Turkey. This is an important step in generating conservation measures. The primary data were obtained from the published literature, grey literature, and fieldwork. A total of 29 stranding records of whale species were found between 1964 and 2023, which were varied along coasts and mainly located in Iskenderun Bay in the Mediterranean and Muğla Bay in the Aegean coasts of Turkey. A total of five species and one genus were documented: the Cuvier’s beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris, the fin whale Balaenoptera physalus, the sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus, the minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata, and True’s beaked whale Mesoplodon mirus and Mesoplodon sp.
Keywords: whale species, Cetacea, strandings, distributional mapping, Mediterranean, Turkey
Published in DiRROS: 09.07.2026; Views: 68; Downloads: 38
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4. First Record of Caranx crysos (Mitchill, 1815) in the Ligurian Sea (Northwestern Mediterranean Sea) Suggests Northward Expansion of the SpeciesAlessandro Nota, Sara Ignoto, Sandro Bertolino, Francesco Tiralongo, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Four specimens of Caranx crysos (blue runner) were spotted on 15th October 2022 in the waters of Ospedaletti (province of Imperia, Italy). This record is the first documented sighting of the species in the Ligurian Sea, and the northernmost in the western Mediterranean. Therefore, it could indicate a further expansion northwards of the species, with subsequent possible impacts on ecosystems, fishing and related commercial activities.
Keywords: Caranx crysos, Mediterranean, thermophilic species, Ligurian Sea, global warming
Published in DiRROS: 09.07.2026; Views: 51; Downloads: 33
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5. A New Locality Record for the Range Expanding Fish Seriola fasciata in the MediterraneanLuca Castriota, Manuela Falautano, Laura Sinapi, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: We present the first record of the lesser amberjack, Seriola fasciata (Bloch, 1793), for Pantelleria Island (Strait of Sicily) based on a specimen fished and photographed by a tourist. It is a range expanding Atlantic fish species in the Mediterranean about which very little information is available. The importance of involving citizens in reporting sightings of rare or previously unseen species in an area is also discussed.
Keywords: lesser amberjack, Pantelleria, range expanding species, new record, Strait of Sicily
Published in DiRROS: 07.07.2026; Views: 57; Downloads: 33
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6. New Non-Native and Rare Marine Invertebrates in Syrian WatersIzdihar Ali Ammar, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Recent biological surveys of the Syrian coast have documented the first occurrences of non-native species from various origins, as well as rare native species. This paper describes the first findings of Isognomon bicolor (C. B. Adams, 1845), Escharoides coccinea (Abildgaard, 1806), Tylodina perversa (Gmelin, 1791), Planocera graffi Lang, 1879, and Planocera pellucida (Mertens, 1833) in Syrian waters, and provides further information on Branchiomma luctuosum (Grube, 1870). The impact of non-native species on native biodiversity is briefly discussed.
Keywords: non-native species, rare species, Eastern Mediterranean, Syria
Published in DiRROS: 07.07.2026; Views: 61; Downloads: 51
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7. A Preliminary Checklist of Marine Heterobranchs (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) of SyriaIzdihar Ali Ammar, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The surge in research of marine biodiversity in Syria, particularly with a focus on non-native species, along with the involvement of amateur free-diving enthusiasts, has facilitated the documentation of additional species, including Heterobranchia (Mollusca: Gastropoda). Between 2016 and 2023, several Heterobranchia species were observed by SCUBA divers along the Syrian coast at depths ranging from 2 to 12 meters. Additional specimens were manually collected on rocky shores from 2020 to 2023. In total, 16 species of Heterobranchia were identified in Syrian marine waters. Among them, 6 are non-indigenous, 2 are cryptogenic, and some are invasive. The study also highlights the presence of rare species, such as Fiona pinnata and Berthella stellata albocrossata, recorded in Syria for the first time. The prevalence of the cryptogenic species Aplysia dactylomela and the invasive Elysia grandifolia is notable across most locations.
Keywords: Nudibranchia, mollusca, new record, rare species, Eastern Mediterranean
Published in DiRROS: 06.07.2026; Views: 81; Downloads: 71
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8. Confirmed Occurrence of Jaydia smithi (Apogonidae) and Seriola fasciata (Carangidae) on the Syrian Coast (Eastern Mediterranean Sea)Malek Ali, Aola Fandi, Amina Alnesser, Christian Capapé, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The present paper reports additional records of two exotic species collected from Syrian marine waters. The first capture concerns a specimen of Smith’s cardinalfish Jaydia smithi Kotthaus, 1970, the second a specimen of lesser amberjack Seriola fasciata (Bloch, 1793). The two specimens confirm the presence of both species in the area, suggesting that viable populations have successfully established. S. fasciata displays significant commercial value and a management plan should be implemented within Syrian fisheries to protect the species and prevent its decline in the area.
Keywords: Osteichthyes, Teleostei, exotic species, Syrian marine waters
Published in DiRROS: 06.07.2026; Views: 77; Downloads: 53
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9. Additional Record of Pterois miles (Scorpaenidae) in Croatian Waters (Eastern Adriatic Sea)Jakov Dulčić, Robert Grgičević, Branko Dragičević, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: One specimen of Pterois miles was caught by a spearfisherman on 15 August 2023, at a depth of 17–18 m, near Račišće (Island of Korčula, southern Adriatic). This is the first record for this species based on a caught and deposited specimen, and the second documented occurrence for Croatian waters. It confirms the hypothesis that the species is capable of reaching and expanding in the Adriatic Sea.
Keywords: Scorpaenidae, Pterois miles, alien species, Croatia, Adriatic Sea
Published in DiRROS: 06.07.2026; Views: 68; Downloads: 52
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10. Salaria basilisca (Actinopterygii: Blenniidae) in Mediterranean Waters : New Biological and Ecological Data Emerging from the Collaboration between Citizen Scientists and ResearcherFrancesco Tiralongo, Enrico Ricchitelli, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Salaria basilisca is a blenny (Blenniidae) endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. Our current understanding of its biology and ecology is limited, and only a few scattered data are available regarding its abundance and distribution. This paper introduces the first targeted study aiming to expand our knowledge of S. basilisca with new data obtained through the discovery of a stable population of the species in Sicily. Several couples guarding nests were observed in August 2022 in Marsala (southwestern Sicily). The species inhabits shallow seabed areas covered with seagrass, with its spatial distribution varying between daylight and nighttime hours. Finally, the paper underlines the importance of collaboration between citizen scientists and researchers in natural sciences, as some of these new data were collected through citizen science.
Keywords: combtooth blennies, Mediterranean Sea, cryptobenthic fish, citizen science, rare species
Published in DiRROS: 06.07.2026; Views: 80; Downloads: 50
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