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GFCM:SAC13/2011/Dma2
Within the Mediterranean, the distribution of elasmobranch fishes is not homogenous (Serena,
2005). Some areas are considered critical habitat for elasmobranchs. For example, Tunisian
waters provide a nursery area for great white shark Carcharodon carcharias, the sandbar
shark Carcharhinus plumbeus and probably for many other species (saidi, 2008 and Enajjar,
2009). Some species have a restricted range within the Mediterranean, for example a small
population of the smalltooth sand tiger shark Odontaspis ferox seems resident in a particular
area off Lebanon (Canavagh & Gibson, 2007). In the Adriatic Sea, the presence of
cartilaginous fish species is scarce especially in the northern part. The basking shark is a
rather rare but constantly present species in the eastern Adriatic Sea. However, over the
period 2000-2002 their occurrence in that area highly increased (Soldo et al., 2008). Besides
its oceanographic characteristics that may limit biodiversity, this area was populated more
recently than other parts of the Mediterranean. A total of 52 species of cartilaginous fish have
been recorded in the Adriatic Sea. Only 10 species are widely distributed. Some bathyal
species of the group inhabit exclusively the central and southern parts of this sea (Serena,
2005). In the Black Sea the number of cartilaginous fish species is lower. The Black Sea
fauna is composed of Mediterranean species and most of the organisms present are
eurythermic and euryhaline. Thirteen elasmobranchs species are assumed to live in the Black
Sea (Serena, 2005). However, it should be noted that several species of elasmobranchs have
been reported in the Marmara Sea which is with the Black Sea and Sea of Azov in the same
FAO sub-area: Black Sea sub-area.
Precisions on spatial distribution of some species
- Carcharhinus obscurus
The species is an occasional transient within the Mediterranean, it was recorded in Malta
(Fergusson and Compagno, 2000), the Gulf of Gabès (Saïdi, 2008), in Syria (Saad et al.,
2004) and in Palestine (Golani, 2005). Based on the capture data, the species may occupy a
wider range than supposed.
- Carcharhinus brachyurus
The species was not cited along the oriental basin. It’s occurrence in the Mediterranean Sea
may be confined only in the occidental basin. It was recorded in Algerian coast (Hemida et
al., 2002) and in Balearic Islands (Moery & Massuti, 2003).
- Carcharhinus taurus.
The occurrence of the species seems to be restricted to occidental basin. However, the species
is probably disappearing from the area (Fregusson et al., 2000).
- Echinorhinus brucus
In the oriental basin, the species occurred only on the north coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It
was recorded in the Sea of Marmara (Kabasakal, 2003). The species was not observed along
the southern coasts of oriental basin.