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This contribution reports information about the feeding and growth of the lionfish Pterois volitans in the southern area of the Veracruz Reef System National Park (PNSAV, by its Spanish acronym); 230 specimens were collected by free diving and harpoons between 2019 and 2023 with standard length interval of 65 to 335 mm and 6 to 1,100 g in weight; this fish species follows a positive allometric growth through the weight-length ratio (b = 3.25), three condition factor models were estimated that showed that the organisms occupying this area are in good body condition, in addition, individual condition (kc) was correlated with weight increases (r = 0.46, P < 0.05); in this sample, only organisms in early stages of gonadic maturity were found. The lionfish diet in the study consisted of fish and crustaceans. Among the fish prey, 7 families and 14 species were identified. Haemulon aurolineatum, Azurina multilineata, and Diplectrum bivittatum contributed the most to the diet of P. volitans. Starksia hassi was also recorded, marking a first record for the PNSAV. The consumption of crustaceans was represented by Xiphopenaeus kroyeri, and other crustaceans belong to the families Sycionidae and Diogenidae. These results indicate that lionfish is a generalist predator that consumes fish and crustaceans in this area, with a good individual body condition that is reflected in the type of growth of the organisms. The absence of organisms in reproductive stages opens the possibility that P. volitans move to other sites on the reef to reproduce.

The African lion population has declined by 43%, and is estimated to occupy about 25% of the historical range. Retaliatory killing due to livestock predation is a major contributory factor. The problem is acute in the human-populated areas of Southern Kenya. Conservation interventions have therefore been introduced. Evaluation of interventions often focus on human agency. However, non-humans including animals and devices influence conservation goals and outcomes. Using the Actor-Network Theory we trace the development of the complex relations that underpin lion conservation. Data was generated using key informant interviews, field observation, and literature review. Results show that lions represent a heterogeneous entity with individual identities that get embedded in relations that are in themselves a multiple apparent in the realities of actors. The relational agency is realized in the motion of a network formed of lions, humans, policy documents, dollars, collars, spears, and poison. Although Conservation Organizations establish themselves as the representative of this network that realizes a decline in lion killing, power is seen to be associative. Evaluating the agency inherent within the network bonds is necessary to reinforce those with positive agency and break the smaller networks or tame the agency that is likely to destabilize the network. The context of place through which these more-than-human relations are created is important in shaping the way forward.

The relationship between total length and total weight (LWR) of four commercial species of finfish captured in the southern Gulf of Mexico (Lachnolaimus maximus, Ocyurus chrysurus, Mycteroperca bonaci, and Mycteroperca microlepis) was estimated. Two of these species are captured in the region by the small-scale fleet, while the other two are targeted by small-scale and semi-industrial fleets using harpoons, handlines, and long-lines. For the assessment, the organisms were sampled at the landing decks in the study area in two periods: 1996-1999 (semi-industrial fleet) and from April 2017 to May 2018 (small-scale fleet). A total of 2780 individuals were sampled which 2775 individuals were used to obtain LWR functions. The four species showed negative allometric growth with b < 3 for the 2017-2018 period, two species showed positive allometric growth with b > 3 for the 1996-1999 period. This type of information is an important input for the stock assessment of these species that support important fisheries in the zone and are under high fishing pressure levels.

Asparagus officinalis L. is an important crop in many European countries, likely infected by a number of Fusarium species. Most of them produce mycotoxins in plant tissues, thus affecting the physiology of the host plant. However, there is lack of information on Fusarium communities in wild asparagus, where they would definitely have considerable environmental significance. Therefore, the main scientific aim of this study was to identify the Fusarium species and quantify their typical mycotoxins present in wild asparagus plants collected at four time points of the season. Forty-four Fusarium strains of eight species—Fusarium acuminatum, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium sporotrichioides, and Fusarium tricinctum—were isolated from nine wild asparagus plants in 2013 season. It is the first report of F. sporotrichioides isolated from this particular host. Fumonisin B₁ was the most abundant mycotoxin, and the highest concentrations of fumonisins B₁–B₃ and beauvericin were found in the spears collected in May. Moniliformin and enniatins were quantified at lower concentrations. Mycotoxins synthesized by individual strains obtained from infected asparagus tissues were assessed using in vitro cultures on sterile rice grain. Most of the F. sporotrichioides strains synthesized HT-2 toxin and F. equiseti strains were found to be effective zearalenone producers.

Two abnormal specimens of the common lionfish Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828) (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) were caught off the eastern and southeastern coasts of Cyprus, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Levantine Basin). Abnormalities (notches) in both specimens were observed in the dorsal fin. In one specimen (33 cm, total length and 565 g, gutted weight) three dorsal fin spines were absent (and the proximal pterygiophore of the 9th spine shorter or absent), while in the other specimen (40 cm, total length and 845 g, gutted weight) four fin-rays were missing. Globally, many other fish species are reported with this abnormality, known as the saddleback syndrome, whose origin could be congenital, pollutant-related, and physical. Given that P. miles is a Lessepsian migrant fish in the Mediterranean Sea, and an invasive species, a removal campaign began in Cyprus since 2017. In this campaign, scuba/free divers, and fishers, have been encouraged to remove it, mainly with pole spears or sling shots, to fight its population invasion. It is possible that this syndrome in P. miles is due to physical injuries related to failed spearfishing attempts rather than an either congenital or pollutant-related origin.

In recent years Azorean fishermen reported the presence of the smalltooth sand tiger shark, Odontaspis ferox (Risso, 1810), a very rare demersal shark species, associated with insular shelves and slopes, with occasional incursions into shallow waters and of poorly known biology and ecology. There are fourteen new records of this species, between 1996 and 2014, captured by spearfishing, harpoons, hand lines, or entangled in fishing gear in the Azores. These records were analysed and complemented with fishermen interviews, providing new locations and new biological data for this species. Also, specimens photographs were studied and post-mortem analysis were carefully carried out in one individual. This species is rare and captured only as bycatch in shallow waters. More detailed information on this species is critically needed in order to assess its conservation status and implement management guidelines. Bycatch statistics are crucial in this respect.

The greatest threat to cetaceans in Sri Lankan waters was considered to be the direct take of small- and medium-sized cetaceans using harpoons and/or as bycatch until recently. However, ship strikes have probably been occurring for years but have not been recognized for what they were. For the current study, only animals with visible and prominent injuries related to collisions were evaluated. Data gathered between 2010 and 2014 included the species, morphometry, location, and date; tissue samples were collected for genetic analysis. When possible, a complete necropsy was conducted; otherwise, partial necropsies were conducted. The study confirmed 14 reports of ship strikes between whales and vessels out of all the strandings reported from 2010 to 2014. Most strikes (n=09, 64%) involved blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), although three other species were also documented, one Cuvier’s beaked whale, two great sperm whales, and one Bryde’s whale, as well as one unidentified baleen whale. Collision hotspots such as the southern waters of Sri Lanka are areas that warrant special attention in the form of vessel routing measures or speed limits, research on cetacean ecology, distribution, daily and seasonal movements, public service announcements, increased law enforcement presence, and other measures.

Background. The swordfish,Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758, is a pelagic and highly migratory species distributed in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans as well as in the Mediterranean Sea. Swordfish fishing has been carried out in the Mediterranean with longlines, gillnets, harpoons, and traps since the Roman times. Although information is available on the influence of the lunar phase on the catch per unit effort (CPUE) for the swordfish longline fishery in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the data concerning the Mediterranean is rather limited. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between the lunar phase and the swordfish CPUE, based on data from Turkish longline fisheries, targeting swordfish in the eastern Mediterranean during the 2008-2016 fishing seasons. Material and methods. We monitored randomly the daily fishing activity of longliners based at the ports of Fethiye and Özdere during 2008-2016. A total of 86 surveying operations were carried out, including 79 in the area between Fethiye and Alanya, the remaining ones were in Özdere in the southern Aegean coasts along the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The effect of the lunar phase on the swordfish catch rates, expressed in terms of kg ? 1000 hooks-1, was examined by means of the Generalized Additive Modelling (GAMs) techniques. Results. The observed CPUE rates ranged from 0 to 700 kg ? 1000 hooks-1. The mean swordfish CPUEs in the dark and light periods of the lunar cycle were equal to 178.10 ± 19.01 and 175.27 ± 19.56 kg ? 1000 hooks-1, respectively. Although no significant differences among phases of the Moon were found (P > 0.05), CPUEs differed significantly between years (P < 0.05). Conclusion. It seems that the mechanism linking swordfish CPUE variations with the lunar cycle involves several factors, making difficult the identification of direct relations. Further studies are needed to better clarify the impact of the lunar phase on the longline gear, considering also additional parameters, such as light transition, prey abundance, physico-chemical characteristics of the marine environment, and the soak time of the gear.

Buchmann et al provide details on the first record of a fossil blue whale in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Knowledge of the actual distribution of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) is incomplete throughout most of its range. Population numbers have dropped worldwide as a consequence of an intensive harvesting period, and no complete record of the species' distribution previous to commercial whaling exists. Blue whales were one of the main targets of the modern whaling period with the adoption of more intrusive harpoons and faster boats. This is the first record of the species for the State of Sao Paulo, suggesting the area was probably part of the past distribution of this species. Paleontological studies are of great contribution for knowledge of species' past distribution. This is not the first paleontological record of a cetacean species in Brazil, but it is the first of a blue whale.

Hundreds of thousands of cetaceans die each year due to commercial fishing catches, which is the main threat to global populations of these animals. Mortality by fishing gets disastrous proportions mainly in developing countries, for which effective fisheries management programs, as well as monitoring, environmental education or analysis of the catches impact on cetacean populations are scarce. The aim of this study was to record and describe the intentional catching of dolphins by artisanal fishermen in southern Bahia, Brazil, a region located in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. In 2012, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 65 commercial fishermen from 13 communities in the region. Catches have been occurring for a long time by the use of harpoons and the pieces of dead animals are used as bait in longline shark fishing, whose fins have a high sale value. Although 81.5 % ( n  = 53) of respondents know the dolphins use, 24.2 % ( n  = 16) reported having used them as bait and only eight (12.1 %) of them admitted to have already killed these marine mammals. It is urgent that these catches are monitored in order to provide baseline information for future conservation actions.