COMU Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries

1-10

Authors: Gülşen Göney, Cengiz Gazeloğlu

: In recent years, ecotoxicological studies have been conducted around the world, especially in aquatic ecosystems. It is noteworthy that genotoxicity tests have been frequently used in the biomonitoring of pollution. The present study evaluates genotoxicity tests including comet assays, micronucleus assays, fluorescent in-situ hybridization assays, chromosomal aberration assays, and sister chromatid exchange assays used in fish species for biomonitoring of environmental pollution in Turkey. Thirty-six ecotoxicological studies, which aimed to investigate possible genotoxic damage in fish species between the years 1970 and 2016, were analyzed. As a result of the literature review, it was concluded that the largest number of studies were done in 2011. There were micronucleus assays in 83.33%, comet assays in 30.55%, chromosomal aberration assays in 5.55%, and sister chromatid exchange experiments in 2.77% of the studies. Most of the micronucleus experiments were performed in eco-genotoxicological studies. Our results show that there were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) between the erythrocyte and gill samples in the micronucleus results from the studies. This study is the first assessment of the use of genotoxicity tests in ecotoxicological studies in Turkey. Considering the principle of refinement in 4 R theory our results show that the use of gill cells instead of peripheral erythrocytes would be more appropriate in micronucleus assays.

19-26

Authors: Erhan Şahin , Uğur Özekinci

In this study, the socio-economic structure of the fishermen operating in Çanakkale were examined. Related data were obtained from regional fishery cooperatives and face-to-face interviews with boat owners that are registered in the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. For this purpose, 803 fishing vessels smaller than 12 m and licensed in Çanakkale were divided into 3 size groups and a survey was conducted with a total of 242 (30.14%) fishermen selected by "stratified random sampling". Results indicated that 95.04% of the boats were made of wood, 97.11% of the boat owners were male, and all the fishermen were over 25 years old. The majority of fishermen (46.69%), were primary school graduates. In addition, almost 90% of fishermen had social securities. When asked why they chose fishing as an occupation 35.54% stated that it was family profession and 32.23% emphasized that they had no other option while 29.75% expressed their passion for the sea. In addition, 63.63% of the fishermen never had a profession other than fisheries, 61.57% were members of fishing cooperatives and 90% marketed their products through brokers. Although 66.70% of the fishermen stated that they were not satisfied with the level of income, the majority (89.67%) did not want to leave fisheries. The results indicated that, despite small scale fisheries is a challenging occupation with limited income, it is perceived as an crucial and important way of life in Çanakkale region. The results of the study can assist policymakers to develop management strategies regarding the sustainability of small-scale fisheries in the province of Çanakkale.*This research is a part of Erhan Şahin’s MSc Thesis.

38-44

Authors: Vahdet Ünal, Huriye Göncüoğlu-Bodur

In this study, the results of the fourth buy-back program in Turkey which entered into force by the “Notice of Agricultural Support-Official Notice of Decommissioning of Fishing Vessels”, issued by the Directorate of Fishery and Aquaculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, was evaluated. In the program, a total of 213 fishing vessels were taken back for a total of 22.4 million Turkish Lira. In this study, simple random sampling method was used to interview 24.4% of the fishing vessels owners. The highest number of buy-backs was in Marmara Region (39%), followed by the Aegean (12%) Region. A total of 213 fishing vessels ranging 10,00 m-12,00 m meters in length applied for the buy-back program which were all decommissioned. All of the buy-back vessels were in the small-scale category. Among those, 30% of the vessels were in use for less than 120 days/year and 46% were fishing between 120-239 days/year. Among those, 24% of the vessels were in use for more than 240 days/year. However, 13% of the owners who handed over their vessels also owned a second boat. Seventy eight percent of the fishers who participated in the program stated that they would remain in fishing even if they gave their vessels, and further indicated that they would buy a new vessel with the support they received from the program. 96% of the fishers employed a crew on-board and 51% of their crew were not family members. In addition, 46% of the crew announced that they would continue to work in the field of fishery. In conclusion; the fourth generation buyback program had ambitious objectives such as reducing fishing effort, increasing efficiency in fishing, reducing pressure on fish stocks and supporting sustainable fishing. Current findings indicate that it is not possible to produce long-term positive effects. Therefore, all details of the results and the success of the buy-back programs should be evaluated by the authorities and future programs should be put into practice with necessary amendments.

47-50

Authors: Okan Akyol , Tevfik Ceyhan

On 25 December 2012, a specimen of Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758) was caught by a swordfish longliner along with 9 swordfish together off Fethiye at a depth of 1200 m. The specimen caught was measured as TL and weighed (kg), and photographed. The specimen was 85 cm TL and 7 kg. According to the previous studies, blue sharks especially observed abundantly in northern Aegean Sea, and can be accepted very rare incidental catch from the Turkish coasts owing to weak presuppose of swordfish fishery. However, there is an important place of blue sharks in the global fin trade area. Therefore, population trend of this shark species is swift decreasing.

57-65

Authors: Erdem Kan, Özgür Tezcan

Various pollutants cause marine pollution which produces multi-layered problems. Besides other hazardous substances, pollution from hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) threat marine ecosystems seriously. Therefore, prevention and emergency response to this kind of pollution become important. The aim of this study is to determine the preparedness and capability of European countries in case of marine pollution caused by HNS. In this context, emergency response plans of the countries were investigated, the data presented via tables and a comparative view was provided.