Natatolana neglecta (Isopoda, Cirolanidae): an increasing threat for artisanal fishing in the Turkish Aegean Sea

Abstract

Abstract Samples of the isopod Natatolana neglecta (Hansen, 1890) are reported herein from Güllük Bay, south-eastern Aegean Sea. In the last decade, the abundance of this species has been increasing in the area, and this has led to attacks on fishes captured with gillnets, at night. The small-scale fishermen now are forced to restrict their catch to a short period daily, and are showing concerns regarding the continuation of their fishing practice. Here, we present the first report on the occurrence of N. neglecta in the Bay of Güllük, and provide information on the threat of this species for coastal fishermen in the south-eastern Aegean Sea.