Seasonal and depth distribution of bentopelagic fish fauna in Rize-Iyidere littoral

In this study, the seasonal and depth (0-30m, 30-60m and 60> m) distribution of benthopelagic fish fauna in Rize-İyidere littoral between April 2017-March 2018 were investigated. Study area İyidere district of Rize constitutes the area from the coast to the opensea. All of the samplings were done by using the "Black Sea Research" vessel of Recep Tayyip Erdogan University and experimental trawl network. A total of 25 fish species were identified as a result of 38 trawling operation. Other species other than Merlangius merlangus and Mullus barbatus, which are the target species of the fishing type were evaluated. When the species classified during the whole sampling period, Raja clavata, Solea solea, Arnoglossus kesleri, Neogobius melanostomus, Scorpeana porcus, Trachurus mediterraneaus, Sprattus sprattus, Gobius niger, Spicara smaris, Trachinus draco, Uranoscopus scaber, Syngnathus sp., Gaidropsarus mediterraneus were identified. Although it was not present in the summer Engraulis encrasicolus was found to be the most dominant species with a rate of 70,728%, during the sampling period. Spring season (0.9942) is much more diverse in terms of species composition than other seasons. The least diversity was observed in summer (0.8654). Scorpeana porcus was the most dominant species detected at 0-30 depth contour, Spicara smaris was the dominant species detected at 30-60 depth contour, and Gobius niger was detected at 60 + depth contour.