Some bio-ecological characteristics of brown meeagre (Sciaena umbra) in the Eastern Black Sea coastal ecosystem

SUMMARY Some Bio-ecological Characteristics of Brown Meeagre (Sciaena umbra) In the Eastern Black Sea Coastal Ecosystem In this study, bioecological features of brown meagre (Sciaena umbra) in the eastern Black Sea marine ecosystem were studied. Aging, determination of growth parameters, reproduction time and sextual maturity were examined. Additionaly feeding ecology was also partly examined. At three different locations, namely Camburnu (Trabzon), Rize and Hopa (Artvin), samplings were performed during the day and nigth by spear gunning and netting to represent all the area. There were 210 free and 15 scuba divings carried out to collect specimens and to have made observations. It was determined that brown meagre was a high level predator in the eastern black sea coastal ecosystem. Reproduction in the region was observed during June and July when water temperature is about 18 °C. Growth parameters of Sciaena umbra, L», to, and k were determied as 44,89 cm, 0,33 yrs and 0,36 respectively. The length at which %50 offish (L50) is mature was found to be 15.07 cm. Keywords: Brown meagre (Sciaena umbra), aging, growth, feeding ecology, Estern Black Sea reef ecosystem. VI