Two specimens of a dory were recently collected from Taiwan, representing the first specimen-based record of the species in the region. Based on the extremely long filaments on the spinous dorsal fin along with other morphological characters, these specimens were identified as the long-fin mirror dory, Zenopsis filamentosa Kai et Tashiro, 2019, a species previously described from Japan and the South Pacific Ocean. Our specimens fill a major distribution gap around Taiwan between Japan and the South Pacific. Here, we provide a detailed description and photographs of these specimens, as well as a comparison with other recorded specimens. Additionally, we include notes on the morphological variation of a specimen of Zenopsis stabilispinosa Nakabo, Bray et Yamada, 2006 newly collected from Taiwan.
Interactions between large pelagic sharks and marine aquaculture remain poorly documented in the Mediterranean Sea. We report six cage-entry events involving blue sharks, Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758), and shortfin makos, Isurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, 1810, associated with capture-based Atlantic bluefin tuna aquaculture and Atlantic salmon farming between 2018 and 2026. Records were compiled from direct observations, information provided by personnel involved in fishing and aquaculture operations, and original photographic and video material. Four cage-entry events occurred through breaches in the cage netting, while two blue sharks were captured incidentally with tuna in purse seines and subsequently transferred into transport cages. Three sharks were released alive and three died after becoming entangled in cage netting. Evidence of feeding was recorded in five of the six cage-entry events. The records demonstrate two distinct pathways of shark entry into aquaculture cages: entry through breaches in cage netting and incidental transfer from purse seines into tuna transport cages. Although the opportunistic nature of the observations precludes estimation of interaction frequency, the documented mortalities highlight the importance of systematic reporting, rapid-release procedures, and mitigation measures aimed at reducing shark entry and entanglement.
The fish family Rhamphocottidae is a small group of fishes that primarily inhabits cold temperate waters of the North Pacific Ocean. With 3 genera and 5 species recognized as valid, only one species, Ereunias grallator Jordan et Snyder, 1901, has been reported from southern Taiwan. Here, we report three specimens of Marukawichthys ambulator Sakamoto, 1931 collected off northeastern Taiwan. Detailed description of the specimens is provided and compared to other specimens collected from Japan, with variations noted. It is suggested that M. ambulator has a rather wide range of distribution in the western North Pacific.
The white anglerfish, Lophius piscatorius Linnaeus, 1758, is a demersal species of great ecological and commercial importance in Tunisian waters. This study uses data-limited assessment methods to evaluate the population dynamics and stock status of this species in northern Tunisia (GSA 12). Growth parameters were estimated from size-frequency data, collected at Bizerte fishing port in 2025, using ELEFAN functions (Electronic LEngth Frequency ANalysis) implemented in the TropFishR package. Lengths at sexual maturity ( L m50 and L m95 ) and natural mortality ( M ) were derived from empirical equations. Stock status was evaluated using the Catch MSY Monte Carlo model (CMSY++ model), which was applied to catch data from 1995 to 2024 and was complemented by length-based models (Length-based Bayesian Biomass “LBB”, the length-based indicator method “LBI” and length-Based Spawning Potential Ratio “LBSPR”), which used size data from 2024 and 2025. The best-fitting growth model (ELEFAN SA standard) yielded an asymptotic length ( L ∞ ) of 89.29 cm, a growth coefficient ( K ) of 0.369 year –1 and a growth performance index ( φ' ) of 3.469, indicating moderate growth. The estimated lengths at maturity ( L m50 = 47.1 cm; L m95 = 56.52 cm) suggest that L. piscatorius reaches sexual maturity at a relatively large size compared to its maximum size. Natural mortality ( M = 0.19 year –1 ) was low, signifying that population dynamic was strongly influenced by fishing mortality rather than natural processes. The stock assessment results from CMSY++, LBB, LBI, and LBSPR provided complementary evidence on stock status, but did not allow a definitive conclusion regarding the sustainability of the stock. Estimates of B / B MSY > 1 (CMSY++ and LBB) and F / F MSY = 0.904 (CMSY++) suggest that fishing pressure remains below critical thresholds. Demographic indicators from LBI showed a proportion of mature individuals ( P mat = 0.4652) and proportion of mega-spawners ( P mega = 0.1015) were below the reference point, a moderate proportion of optimally sized individuals ( P opt = 0.3975), suggesting that the size structure of the catch is not fully consistent with the reference pattern and that improvements in size selectivity may be beneficial. However, the LBSPR-derived spawning potential ratios (SPR = 39% in 2024 and 40% in 2025) are close to the recommended reference point of 40%, indicating that the stock is close to the limit of full reproductive sustainability, and any increase in fishing effort could compromise spawning biomass in the medium term. Overall, the L. piscatorius stock in GSA 12 should be considered to be operating close to several biological reference levels and a precautionary approach should be adopted to preserve the spawning stock and the population’s size structure.
Two species belonging to the genus Engyprosopon in the flatfish family Bothidae, exhibiting the reversed condition not only externally but also internally, were recently collected from southwestern Taiwan. A detailed description of each specimen is provided, and situs inversus is discussed. Previously, reversed specimens in the family Bothidae were extremely rare, with only three reported cases, whereas the reversed condition was commonly found in the families Paralichthyidae and Pleuronectidae. This rarity is possibly due to their low commercial value, which results in a low chance of detecting an inversion. Previously, it was thought that the family Bothidae was the most specialized group within the order Pleuronectiformes, making the reversed condition less likely to occur. However, this idea may need reevaluation, and the reversed condition in Bothidae may be more common than previously thought.
