Vitaliy Bekh

Bio: Vitaliy Bekh is an academic researcher from National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. The author has contributed to research in topics: Goby & Population. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 2 publications receiving 11 citations.

Black Sea Aquaculture: Legacy, Challenges & Future Opportunities

Abstract: Additional co-authors: Dilek Fidan, Linda Fourdain, Marco Frederiksen, Archil Guchmanidze, Housam Hamza, Jessica Harvey, Magda Nenciu, Galin Nikolov, Victor Niţa, Muhammed Dogan Ozdemir, Elitsa Petrova-Pavlova, Gabriel Popescu, Ferit Rad, Safak Seyhaneyildiz Can, John A. Theodorou, Behnan Thomas, Nicolo Tonachella, Ekaterina Tribilustova, Irina Yakhontova, Ahmet Faruk Yesilsu, Guzel Yucel-Gier

Seasonal abundance and feeding patterns of the invasive racer goby (Babka gymnotrachelus) in the littoral zone of a lowland European river

Abstract: The racer goby (Babka gymnotrachelus), a Ponto-Caspian gobiid, has successfully established in several European rivers since the 1990s, and its range is expanding; however, information on its biology in invaded environments is still limited. Understanding the population dynamics and feeding ecology of this species may assist in predicting its potential impact on native ecosystems. The seasonal abundance and feeding of racer goby were studied in the littoral zone of a lowland river flowing into the Kaniv Reservoir (Dnieper River). The abundance of this goby in the sampling reach displayed significant inter-annual and seasonal fluctuations, which depended on water temperature. Mean lengths of racer goby also varied during the year, and the largest fish were observed mainly in January to April and in September to November. Age-0 fish started appearing in catches at the end of May. Almost all juveniles reached adult size in October of the same year. Overall, 72 prey organisms were identified in the gut contents of racer goby. The most abundant prey were chironomids followed by cladocerans, copepods, and water mites. Chironomids included 25 taxa, the most abundant of which were Polypedilum convictum, Glyptotendipes sp., and Chironomus sp. Among 18 identified cladoceran taxa, the most abundant were Disparalona rostrata, Pleuroxus aduncus, and Alona affinis. Based on the diet composition, which included both bottom-dwelling and macrophyte-associated organisms, it can be concluded that racer goby feeds in a large variety of microhabitats including open non-vegetated areas, on substrates near macrophyte beds, and possibly on macrophytes.

Population dynamics and dietary habits of monkey goby (Neogobius fluviatilis) in its native range in the Dnieper River basin

Abstract: Context Various aspects of the monkey goby (Neogobius fluviatilis) biology were studied but mainly in native marine and invaded freshwater bodies; however, in Ukraine, this species can be considered native in many freshwaters. Aim To investigate the population dynamics and dietary habits of N. fluviatilis in a freshwater habitat in its native range. Methods Samples were collected monthly in 2015–2016 and 2018 in a river flowing into the Kaniv reservoir (Dnieper River). Key results Goby abundance varied during a year and between years, depending on water temperature. Young of the year started appearing in June and reached the size of adult fish in October. N. fluviatilis had multiple spawnings occurring from May to August. Altogether, 70 taxa of prey organisms composed its diet, among which the most abundant prey were chironomids (57.7% in number). The diet of N. fluviatilis showed a clear ontogenetic shift from the consumption of benthic microcrustaceans to chironomids. Conclusions N. fluviatilis fed predominantly on prey inhabiting non-vegetated sand and mud substrate. The opportunistic feeding strategy, combined with time-expanded multiple spawnings, can facilitate the successive invasion and establishment of this species in new environments. Implications The obtained results can be used to predict the impact of N. fluviatilis on ecosystems in newly invaded areas.

Introduce the Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) to Turkish aquaculture industry: Duoculture possibility with Rainbow Trout

Abstract: Bu calismada yetistiricilik tanklarinda Sibirya mersin baligi ( Acipenser baeri ) ve gokkusagi alabaliginin ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) Duo kultur yetistiricilige tepkisi degerlendirilmistir. Uc tekerrurlu calisma: mono-kultur mersin baligi (M, n=10), duo kultur mersin baligi ve alabalik (DM ve DA n = 5+5=10) olarak planlandi. Her bir turun mono ve duo kultur seklinde yetistirilmesinde buyume ve gelisme izlendi. Sonucta birlikte ve ayri yetistiriciligin mersin baligi ve alabaligin spesifik buyume orani (SBO) ve kondisyon faktoru (KF) uzerinde herhangi bir onemi olmadigi belirlenmistir. Gruplar arasindaki farkliliklar istatiksel olarak farkli bulunmamistir (p<0.05).

Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Mediterranean and Black Sea Aquaculture

Abstract: Aquaculture is fast growing sector in the Mediterranean and the Black sea region contributing to food security, employment and economic growth. According to FAO-FIGIS figures, overall aquaculture production in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions (including all species of animal origin and aquatic environments) reached over 2 643 000 tonnes in 2016. The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) [1] of FAO, has reported that according to some national aquaculture strategies, by 2030 aquaculture production in the Mediterranean and the Black sea countries is expected to reach 4 600 000 tonnes 2 . Undoubtably, several challenges need to be addressed to insure the development of environmentally, economically and socially sustainable aquaculture in the region. These challenges include inter alia spatial planning and site allocation for aquaculture, legal aspects and licensing, aquaculture-environment interactions, bio-security and aquatic animal health management, social acceptability, information sharing and dissemination, scientific and technical collaborations, RTD and innovation and issues related to consumers wants and markets. All these issues need to be dealt through a collective and regional approach. [1] The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the FAO is the Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) mandated to ensure the conservation and sustainable use, at the biological, social, economic and environmental level, of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.” Development of sustainable aquaculture at regional level has been top on the agenda of GFCM. Acknowledging this growing trend and in line with its mandate, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) has recently adopted Resolution GFCM/41/2017/1 on a “ Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Mediterranean and Black Sea Aquaculture ” . This integrated regional aquaculture strategy is the fruit of extensive consultations that were held as part of a co construction process. The aim was to secure equal terms of competition and discuss minimum common criteria in order to address cross-cutting and transboundary issues in relation to aquaculture in Mediterranean and Black Sea riparian countries. By facilitating cooperative processes and fostering synergies, the strategy should help the sector deliver its full potential by 2030 2 .

Biological and Ethological Response of Black Sea Golden Grey Mullet (Chelon auratus Risso, 1810) Fries to Different Salinities and Temperatures

Abstract: The aim of this paper was to investigate the biological and ethological response of golden grey mullet Chelon auratus (Risso, 1810) fries collected from Romanian Black Sea shallow waters to different salinities and temperatures, in order to document the optimal conditions for controlled rearing. The species’ potential for aquaculture is enhanced by its eurihalyne and eurithermal adaptability, allowing it to grow in a variety of ecosystems, including the Romanian Black Sea area, with its highly variable salinity and temperature specificities. Three experimental set-ups were designed: a salinity tolerance test, with 5 salinity regimes (0.3‰, 5‰, 10‰, 15‰ and 20‰), a temperature tolerance experiment, involving both temperature decrease (down to 8°C) and increase (up to 34°C), and an extreme salinity test, reaching a maximum value of 95‰. The aggregated results obtained from the three experiments indicated that golden grey mullet fries can indeed tolerate a wide range of temperatures (8°C - 36°C) and salinities (5‰-70‰), with the optimal range between 10‰ and 30‰ salinity, at temperatures of 10°C - 25°C. The practical purpose of this investigation was supporting the diversification of local mariculture species, as mullets can be excellent candidates for the enhancement of aquaculture in the area.