<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>A global problem of today is the large amount of waste in the seas and oceans, primarily plastic waste. It is estimated that every year 1.25 to 2.41 million tons of plastic material is being carried by rivers into the seas and oceans. Waste is a major problem for marine organisms, causing entanglement, choking, strangulation, malnutrition and death. In 1972 the problems caused by microplastics, particles smaller than 5 mm, were first observed. Such particles bind pathogenic microorganisms on to their surface. Increasing quantities of microplastics have been found in the stomachs of fish, and also in shellfish that feed by filtering sea water. Ingested by marine organisms, such plastics may eventually pass through the food web and can end up ingested by humans. In addition, plastic releases chemical compounds whose effect on marine organisms and humans has still not been studied. Many international and state organizations offer solutions through recycling plastic waste, as well as reducing the production of plastic materials and informing the public about the problem.</abstract>

The Problem of Plastic Waste and Microplastics in the Seas and Oceans: Impact on Marine Organisms

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The objective of this review is to present current status of meagre aquaculture in Croatia. Meagre <italic>Argyrosomus regius</italic> (Asso, 1801) is a fast growing migratory fish species which used to be widespread along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Today, it is very rare in fisheries catches and is considered highly endangered. Recently, meagre has become an increasingly important species in the Mediterranean aquaculture. In Croatia, meagre is a relatively new cultured species whose farming started after the year 2000. Since the European Commission identified species diversification as a top priority in the framework of the 2020 strategies for Aquaculture, and with recent studies revealing that meagre adapt easily to captivity and maintain a rapid growth rate, this species became an interesting candidate for Croatian as well as Mediterranean aquaculture.</abstract>

Meagre (<italic>Argyrosomus regius</italic> Asso, 1801) aquaculture in Croatia

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The study assessed the adoption of improved aquaculture technologies among fish farmers in Lagos State, Nigeria. A total of 90 fish farmers were sampled through the multistage sampling technique. A validated and pretested interview schedule was used to obtain primary information from the fish farmers. Obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results obtained revealed that more than half and about one-third of the fish farmers sourced credit facilities from cooperative societies and Esusu, respectively, while almost all sold their fishes as smoked fish. Higher proportions of the fish farmers were aware, tried and adopted most of the improved aquaculture technologies with some of the fish farmers also discontinuing most of the previously adopted technologies. The findings of the study also reported that the fish farmers had positive attitude towards the adoption of improved aquaculture technologies. Results of regression analysis revealed that secondary occupation of the fish farmers (β=−0.324, p&lt;0.01), annual income level (β=−0.471, p&lt;0.05), cost of pond construction (β=0.477, p&lt;0.05) and total profit realized (β=−0.466, p&lt;0.05) were significant predictors of the adoption of improved technologies by the fish farmers with an R2 implying that 46.0% of the variability in the fish farmers’ adoption of improved aquaculture technologies is explained by the socio-economic and production characteristics of the fish farmers. The study concluded that the adoption of improved aquaculture technologies is dynamic and highly influenced by the socio-economic characteristics of the fish farmers which also change with time. It is therefore recommended that technologies that received low level of adoption or which discontinued after earlier adoption should be worked on so that the adoption of those technologies would translate to increased income level of fish farmers, reduced cost of pond construction and increased profit of the fish farmers.</abstract>

Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Center, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Dynamics of the adoption of improved aquaculture technologies among fish farmers in Lagos State, Nigeria

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>A checklist of the freshwater fish fauna of Croatia is presented for the first time. It is based on 1360 publications of historical and recent data in the literature. According to the literature review, there were 137 fish species in 30 families and 75 genera recorded in Croatia. The checklist is systematically arranged and provides distributional data of the freshwater fish fauna as well as whether the species is endemic, introduced or translocated.</abstract>

A Review of Extant Croatian Freshwater Fish and Lampreys

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The taxonomic research of eight populations of <italic>Sabanejewia balcanica</italic> from the water catchment area of the river Sava included the analysis of the meristic characteristics and pigmentation of their bodies. The analyzed sample contained 98 specimens collected in the areas of the rivers Turija, Gostelja, Brka, Suturlija, Suha, Tinja and Trebačka. The aim of this paper was to specify the meristic and pigment characteristics of this species at the location of the water catchment area of the river Sava, which are frequently used in describing new taxa. The meristic traits investigation included the analysis of the number of rays in dorsal, ventral, pectoral, anal and caudal fins. In the analysis of body pigmentation, the number and arrangement of suborbital spines, blotches or spots were determined. The results of this research indicated that there were no intrapopulation differences in <italic>Sabanejewia balcanica</italic> from the water catchment area of the river Sava in terms of meristic characteristic and body pigmentation.</abstract>

Body pigmentation and meristic characteristics of Balkan golden loach (<italic>Sabanejewia balcanica</italic>) from the water catchment area of the river Sava

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The reproductive cycle of the crustacean family Portunidae on the coast of the Pacific is not well known. Therefore, the reproductive cycle and the size at first maturity of brown crab <italic>Callinectes bellicosus</italic> and its relationship with environmental factors in the El Colorado Lagoon, Ahome, Sinaloa has been determined. A total of 360 females were collected from March 2012 to March 2013. The gonads were fixed in 10% formalin, histological cuts were made by the paraffin inclusion method and the hematoxylin and eosin staining technique. The diameter of oocytes was determined by stage. The size at first maturity was estimated by a logistic model. Females showed gametogenic activity during the entire study period. The maturity period was from March to November 2012, with two spawning peaks, in September 2012 and March 2013. Maturity was inversely influenced by temperature (r = -0.4454, P &lt; 0.05) and no influence by salinity was observed (P &gt; 0.05). The diameter of the oocytes showed significant differences between the development stages of the gonad (P = 0.001). The size at first maturity was 11.57 cm of carapace width for females of <italic>C. bellicosus</italic>.
</abstract>

Reproductive Cycle and Size at First Maturity in Females of Brown Crab <italic>Callinectes Bellicosus</italic> (Stimpson 1859) in the Southwestern Gulf of California, Mexico

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Chlamydomonas</italic> spp. and <italic>Chlorella</italic> spp. are plankton genera that can be used to determine the level of balance in the aquatic environment. The purpose of this study is to determine the abundance of plankton <italic>Chlamydomonas</italic> spp. and <italic>Chlorella</italic> spp. and its relation to the clinical performance of red tilapia in silvofishery ponds. The research method used is an <italic>ex post facto</italic> causal design with random sampling. The results showed that the water quality in the silvofishery ponds was very good, except for the nitrate parameters of 0.00-1.50 mg/L and salinity of 2-11 gr/L, which exceeded the quality standards. In the silvofishery ponds, 5 plankton classes were found, namely Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Protozoa, and Dinophysis, consisting of 15 genera. The dominant class Chlorophyceae had an abundance of 2.88E+06 cells/ml. The class Chlorophyceae is dominated by <italic>Chlorella</italic> spp. (2.63E+06 cells/ml) and <italic>Chlamydomonas</italic> spp. (2.20E+05 cells/ml). The abundance of <italic>Chlamydomonas</italic> spp. in silvofishery ponds is closely related to phosphate solubility (0.988). Based on observations of clinical symptoms on the eyes, gills, and fins of fish, no disease infections or physical abnormalities were found in the fish cultured in silvofishery ponds. Fish tend to live well with a growth rate of 0.44 g/day. The aquatic ecosystem of the silvofishery pond, which is dominated by the plankton <italic>Chlorella</italic> spp. and <italic>Chlamydomonas</italic> spp., had a good effect on the performance and condition of the farmed fish. This study concludes that the abundance of <italic>Chlamydomonas</italic> spp. and <italic>Chlorella</italic> spp. was very dominant compared to other plankton genera. The presence of <italic>Chlamydomonas</italic> spp. and <italic>Chlorella</italic> spp. illustrates good and stable environmental conditions in silvofishery ponds, followed by no clinical signs of disease infection in the fish reared during the study period.
</abstract>

Relationship Between Abundance of <italic>Clamydomonas</italic> spp and <italic>Chlorella</italic> spp on Clinical Performance of Red Tilapia <italic>Oreochromis niloticus</italic> in Silvofishery Ponds

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The aim of this study is to analyse the development of artisanal fish catch by species in the Croatian section of the Sava River. For Abramis brama and <italic>Silurus glanis</italic>, a significant decline in catches (in kg) was observed throughout the study period (2004-2021). Since 2013, this has also been the case for <italic>Cyprinus carpio, Esox lucius, Sander lucioperca,</italic> other autochthonous species and alochthonous species, while catches of <italic>Leuciscus idus</italic> have declined significantly since 2014. The catches of three species (<italic>Acipenser ruthenus, Leuciscus aspius</italic> and <italic>Tinca tinca</italic>) fluctuated without a trend, which can be attributed to the low quantities. This decline in catches of the most sought-after species in the Sava was greater than that of the other less sought-after autochthonous species (mainly other cyprinids), whose share of the total catch increased significantly.
</abstract>

Decline of Artisanal Fish Catch by Species in the Croatian Section of the Sava River

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study examined the effects of dietary supplementation of queen scallop <italic>Aequipecten opercularis</italic> with an indigenous strain of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), <italic>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</italic> I, previously isolated from its digestive tract, on gut microbial populations and growth rates during cultivation under simulated climate change conditions (pH 7.8, T = 16 ± 2 °C). After one month of feeding, the results showed a noticeable reduction in aquaculture diseases causing pathogens while maintaining sufficient viable <italic>Lpb. plantarum</italic> I cells. A higher pH and temperature resulted in higher growth rates, measured by the weight and length of scallops, compared to the control group. The results obtained shed light on the influence of the addition of lactic acid bacteria on the growth of bivalve mollusks under normal and climate change conditions, and provide control of pathogenic microorganisms. In the context of climate change, host-pathogen interactions need to be recognized and put under control by applying natural solutions to minimize the environmental footprint.
</abstract>

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with <italic>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</italic> I On Queen Scallop <italic>Aequipecten opercularis</italic> Under Simulated Climate Change Conditions

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Devil firefish <italic>Pterois miles</italic> is an invasive alien species which has severely impacted biodiversity and ecological processes in invaded areas of the Mediterranean. In recent years, its presence has been documented in several countries of the Adriatic Sea. Based on the negative ecological and socio-economic impacts in other areas of the Mediterranean Sea, the potential invasiveness of devil firefish was analyzed for the coastal areas of the three eastern Adriatic countries (Albania, Croatia and Montenegro) using the <italic>Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit</italic>. Generally, based on the average value of the Basic Risk Assessment and the threshold used, the outcomes suggest that this species will be highly invasive in the eastern Adriatic countries. In addition, the results have shown that the most affected sector is represented by the local species populations and relative characteristics, while commercial sectors represent the least affected sector. However, considering that the negative impact of non-native species is not seen directly, the governments of these countries should address this issue as soon as possible.
</abstract>

Potential Invasiveness of Devil Firefish <italic>Pterois miles</italic> (Bennett 1828) in the Eastern Adriatic Sea

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Magallana bilineata</italic> is a commercially important oyster species in Malaysia. Despite its economic significance, the biology and ecology of this species, particularly its reproductive cycle, are poorly understood in the region. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the reproductive cycle of <italic>M. bilineata</italic> in Mengkabong Bay, Tuaran, Sabah and its correlation with environmental factors. A total of 105 oyster specimens were collected and examined to determine the sex ratio, gonad developmental stages, maturity index (MI), and condition index (CI). The results revealed a sex ratio of 1:2.36 (♂:♀) in the oyster population of the bay, with a significantly higher proportion of females (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05). Hermaphroditism was detected in 1.90% of the samples. <italic>M. bilineata</italic> was found to spawn throughout most months in the bay, with the highest MI and CI values recorded in November 2019 when most oysters were in mature or maturing stages. Salinity was found to be the primary factor influencing male gonad maturation, while temperature was the primary factor influencing female gonad maturation. Understanding the reproductive biology of this species is crucial for predicting its future survival and facilitating assisted spawning and hatchery spat production, thereby ensuring the conservation and sustainability of the oyster fishery in Malaysia.
</abstract>

Reproductive Biology and Spawning Pattern of Oyster <italic>Magallana bilineata</italic> in Mengkabong Bay, Sabah, Malaysia

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
As an endemic species, Dalmatian barbelgudgeon was introduced into Šatorsko Lake, but it was insufficiently explored at this locality. The aim of this study was to determine seasonal variations of physicochemical parameters of the water in relation to morphometric and hematological parameters of Dalmatian barbelgudgeon from Šatorsko Lake. Physicochemical analysis of the water recorded lower values of temperature, O2 concentration, O2 saturation, electrolytic conductivity and suspended matter in autumn, while other analyzed parameters indicated lower values in spring. The analysis of morphometric parameters (weight, standard length, total length and Fulton’s condition factor) determined higher values of all the parameters during spring, while a significant difference was noted only for Fulton’s condition factor. A statistically significant difference was observed for all erythrocyte lineage parameters (RBC-red blood cells, HB-hemoglobin concentration, HCT-hematocrit, MCV-mean corpuscular volume, MCH-mean corpuscular hemoglobin, MCHC-mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations). In white blood cells, a statistically significant difference was recorded for lymphocytes, non-segmented neutrophils and monocytes, while the proportion of segmented neutrophils and basophils was slightly increased in spring. Furthermore, the recorded values of pseudo-eosinophils were equal in spring and autumn. The results of these studies indicate a significant influence of exogenous and endogenous factors on the variability of morphometric and hematological parameters of Dalmatian barbelgudgeon from Šatorsko Lake. 
</abstract>

Seasonal Variations of Morphometric and Hematological Parameters in Dalmatian Barbelgudgeon <italic>Aulopyge huegelii</italic> Heckel 1843 from Šatorsko Lake

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The objective of the present study was to examine the length-weight relationships and condition factors of snapper <italic>Lutjanus russellii</italic>, ponyfish <italic>Aurigequula fasciata</italic> and white-spotted spinefoot <italic>Siganus canaliculatus</italic> harvested from Ulelhee Bay, Banda Aceh City, Indonesia. These species are the predominant fishes caught by traditional beach trawl in Ulelhee Bay, Banda Aceh City, Indonesia. The sampling was conducted for three months from April to June 2015 at one-week interval. A total of 900 fish samples (300 individuals for each species) were measured for the total length and body weight. The length-weight relationships were calculated using Linear Allometric Model (LAM), while the relative weights (Wr) and Fulton’s condition (K) factors were calculated to assess the condition of the fish samples. The results showed that the <italic>b</italic> value of 3.04 in snapper indicates isometric growth pattern, while ponyfish and white-spotted spinefoot fish had the b values of 1.41 and 1.75, respectively, and these species display an allometric growth pattern. The average Fulton’s condition factor (K) of snapper was 3.01 for male and 2.49 for female; female ponyfish has the K value of 2.92 and 2.92 for male. In addition, the average K value of whitespotted spinefoot was 2.61 and 2.59 for female and male, respectively. The relative weight condition factor ranges from 58.73 to 166.09 for snapper, from 70.55 to 129.65 for ponyfish, and from 71.63 to 133.53 for white-spotted spinefoot. In general, the relative weight condition factors tendedto be 100. It is concluded that snapper has isometric growth pattern, while ponyfish and white-spotted spinefoot display the negative allometric growth pattern. The condition factors are in excellent condition and indicate a balance of prey and predator.</abstract>

Length-Weight Relationships and Condition Factors of the Three Dominant Species of Marine Fishes Caught by Traditional Beach Trawl in Ulelhee Bay, Banda Aceh City, Indonesia

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> We have limited knowledge of determinants of consumer preferences for wild-caught versus farmed-raised fish, so this work aims to investigate the impact of sociodemographics, habits and frequency of fresh fish consumption, such as involvement in cooking, on the preferences for wild versus farmed fish. A survey was done on a sample of 1151 fish consumers in Croatia. Results showed that female, older consumers, consumers with higher income and those living in coastal parts of Croatia give higher preferences for wild fish and they detect differences between the taste of wild and farmed fish. Consumers with higher levels of habits of fresh fish consumption, who eat fresh fish often and are more involved in cooking, prefer wild-caught fish. These findings provide valuable information for the aquaculture sector, especially for planning marketing strategies for the promotion of farmed fish.</abstract>

Wild-Caught Versus Farmed Fish – Consumer Perception

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Croatian Journal of Fisheries

Ribarstvo

 The Croatian Journal of Fisheries was established in 1938 and today possesses a long-term tradition of publishing papers that deal with both freshwater and marine...

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 The Croatian Journal of Fisheries was established in 1938 and today possesses a long-term tradition of publishing papers that deal...

Croatian Journal of Fisheries

Ribarstvo

Relationship Between Abundance of Clamydomonas spp and Chlorella spp on Clinical Performance of Red Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in Silvofishery Ponds

Decline of Artisanal Fish Catch by Species in the Croatian Section of the Sava River

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum I On Queen Scallop Aequipecten opercularis Under Simulated Climate Change Conditions

Potential Invasiveness of Devil Firefish Pterois miles (Bennett 1828) in the Eastern Adriatic Sea

Reproductive Biology and Spawning Pattern of Oyster Magallana bilineata in Mengkabong Bay, Sabah, Malaysia

Seasonal Variations of Morphometric and Hematological Parameters in Dalmatian Barbelgudgeon Aulopyge huegelii Heckel 1843 from Šatorsko Lake