Abstract
In this study, diet composition of bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) was investigated. A total of 512 bluefish samples were monthly collected from commercial fishing boats operating in the Sea of Marmara between January and December 2014. It was determined that the total length distribution of the samples varied between 12.3-47.3 cm. 367 of them (71.67%) were found to be the full of the stomach. The nutritional composition of stomach contents only two main prey groups (teleostei and crustacean) were identified. In evaluation, relative importance indexes (IRI) food groups were calculated. According to the relative importance index (IRI=91.8%) anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) has been found to be the most preferred food group. The number of individuals whose stomachs were found to be full was low in the winter months; it started to rise with spring and reached the highest level in the autumn months. It was determined that the increase in the total number of stomachs occurred between August and October in relation to the reproductive period. It was found that stomach fullness rates significantly relationship between sex and seasons (p<0.01).
Highlights
Bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766), is a pelagic, migratory and cosmopolitan species which inhabits warm and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific Oceans, Mediterranean and Black Seas (Slastenenko, 1956; Briggs, 1960; Wilk, 1977; Tortonese, 1975)
A total of 512 bluefish samples were monthly collected from commercial fishing boats operating in the Sea of Marmara between January and December 2014
Samples whose stomach contents were completely digested were excluded from the evaluation
Summary
Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766), is a pelagic, migratory and cosmopolitan species which inhabits warm and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific Oceans, Mediterranean and Black Seas (Slastenenko, 1956; Briggs, 1960; Wilk, 1977; Tortonese, 1975). At the end of spring migrate to the Black Sea for feeding and spawning and stay. Bal et al (2020) Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 9(1): 46-50 along the summer. In early autumn they start to migrate back to the Marmara Sea and Aegean Sea (Ceyhan et al, 2007). Describe the nutritional habits of individuals belonging to the population as well as nutritional competition among species (Lawror, 1980). In this way, the role of species in the food chain can be determined, contributing to fisheries modeling and fisheries planning (Hyslop, 1980). Stomach contents gives information about the environment and diet composition of fish species (Wootton, 1990; Buckel et al, 2004)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
