<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Unrevealing food and feeding habits of fishes is the centre of research in aquatic biology, ecology, conservation biology and fisheries. The current practice in feeding ecology of fish accredits it as descriptive ecology, relying primarily on the information of their diet, directly through gut analysis or indirectly by computing some diet based indices. Such methods often mislead in the understanding of the true feeding behaviour of organisms need for more reliable and functional approach. The main objective of feeding ecology is to evaluate feeding behaviour of fish. Recent developments in tools and techniques of analytical research is an opportunity to take up more reliable details by formulating affordable methodical design for recording, modulating and designing suitable approaches for better explanation of the feeding biology in fish.</abstract>

Food and Feeding of Fishes. What Do We Need to Know?

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Illegal fishing net use is one of the most serious threats to the health of the world’s fisheries and for the secure employment of fishers. Illegal modes of fishing adversely affect the fishing industry according to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Ministry of Sri Lanka which is the regulatory body of the fisheries industry. In Sri Lanka, usage of illegal fishing methods has increased in recent years. There is an urgent need to identify prohibited or illegal fishing activities and the use of dangerous or harmful substances in fishing. The present study was carried out in the Mannar coastal area from June 2013 until the latter part of June 2014, to identify illegal, prohibited and dangerous fishing activities, and to understand the major threats and impacts on the fishing community and the socio, economic, biological and ecological impacts through field surveys and library methods. The study aims to outline appropriate planning and solutions to minimize illegal fishing and to save the coastal biodiversity and fishing community.</abstract>

Illegal Fishing Activity ‒ A New Threat in Mannar Island Coastal Area (Sri Lanka)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>ABSTRACT</title> Mangroves are dynamic and unique inter-tidal ecosystems, common in tropical and subtropical coastal environments. They are among the world’s most productive ecosystems and are important in protecting coasts from erosion by fierce tides, in promoting the diversity of marine organisms and fisheries by contributing a quantity of food and providing favourable habitats for animals. These economic uses of mangroves indicate that they play an important role in the lives and economies in the coastal regions of different countries. Mangrove forests are under immense threat worldwide due to their multiple economic uses and alterations of freshwater inflows by various upstream activities in catchment areas. Mangrove plants with unique adaptations play a crucial role in sustaining life in mangrove forests. Their reproductive biology is central to understanding the structural and functional components of mangrove forests. The success of sexual reproduction and subsequent population expansion in mangrove plants is linked to flowering timings, pollinators and tidal currents. Viviparous and cryptoviviparous plants are true mangroves while non-viviparous ones are mangrove associates. The dispersal propagule is seedling in viviparous and non-viviparous plants while it is seed in nonviviparous plants. In this study, viviparous and crypto-viviparous species were included for study. These species are self-compatible, self-pollinating and also cross-pollinating; such a breeding system is a requirement for the success of sexual reproduction and subsequent build up and expansion of population. They are entomophilous in the study region. The viviparous plants include Ceriops tagal, C. decandra, Rhizophora apiculata, R. mucronata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and B. cylindrica. The non-viviparous plants include Avicennia alba, A. marina, A. officinalis, Aegiceras corniculatum and Aegialitis rotundifolia. Sexual reproduction and regeneration events are annual in these plants and are dependent on local insects, tidal currents and nutrient content in estuarine environment. In recent times, erratic and insufficient rainfall together with industrial pollutants released into rivers is causing negative effects on the growth, development and regeneration of mangrove flora. In effect, there is a gradual decrease in mangrove cover. Added to this is continuous exploitation of mangrove plants for fuel wood, creation of shelters for cattle and changes for industrial establishments and aquaculture development in estuarine regions. As a consequence, the existing mangrove cover is struggling to survive and also not in a position to support local needs and provide livelihood opportunities through fishery resources. Further, reduced mangrove cover is showing catastrophic effects on fishing communities who live along the shore line during the period of cyclonic surges and tsunami events.</abstract>

Reproductive Ecology of Mangrove Flora: Conservation and Management

<abstract><title style='display:none'>ABSTRACT</title> This study presents a summary of the human impact activity analysis that has influenced the ecological state of the Timiş River.The results show that because of human activity the Timiş riverbed has been significantly changed due to serious degradation of water quality and extinction of aquatic biota.In the context of the European Water Framework Directive, in order to achieve water quality standards, the present work aims to take stock of the main human intervention and its effects within the basin to find adequate management solutions to achieve “good ecologically status”.</abstract>

The Timiş River Basin (Banat, Romania) Natural and Anthropogenic Elements. A Study Case - Management Chalenges

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title><italic>Acanthus ilicifolius</italic> L. (Acanthaceae) is an evergreen non-viviparous mangrove associate. It is hermaphroditic, strongly protandrous, self-compatible, facultative xenogamous, temporally dioecious and melittophilous. The floral mechanism is highly specialized and adapted for pollination by large-bodied bees. The natural fruit set is below 30%. The fruits mature within a month and usually contain four seeds. The fruit is a capsule and splits explosively in the dorsi-ventral plane ejecting the seeds away. This makes it anemochorous. The gregarious occurrence of the plant at the study site is attributed to propagation by seed and vegetative modes.</abstract>

Reproductive Ecology of <italic>Acanthus ilicifolius</italic> L., a Non-Viviparous Mangrove Associate in Coringa Mangrove Forest, Andhra Pradesh (India)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Floral biology, sexual system, breeding system, pollinators, fruiting and seed dispersal aspects of five mangrove associate species, namely, <italic>Clerodendrum inerme</italic>, <italic>Derris trifoliata</italic>, <italic>Suaeda maritima, S. monoica</italic>, and <italic>S. nudiflora</italic> were studied. All these species are hermaphroditic, self-compatible, and exhibit mixed breeding systems adapted for pollination by external agents. <italic>C. inerme</italic> and <italic>D. trifoliata</italic> are principally entomophilous, while <italic>Suaeda</italic> species are ambophilous. The study suggests that these plant species are important constituents of mangrove forests. <italic>C. inerme</italic> and <italic>D. trifoliata</italic> are useful in stabilizing the banks of back water creeks, while <italic>Suaeda</italic> species are useful to carpet the saline areas and desalinate the soils which are subsequently useful for agricultural activities.</abstract>

Reproductive Biology of Mangrove Plants <italic>Clerodendrum inerme, Derris trifoliata, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda monoica, Suaeda nudiflora</italic>

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Belčišta wetland is the largest wetland habitat in R. of North Macedonia, located 20 km distance from Ohrid Lake and it is a relict remnant of the ancient Desaret Lake, which existed in this area since the Pliocene. This region hosts an endemic freshwater species of the Balcan Penninsula, <italic>Pelasgus minutus</italic>, which is threatened by habitat loss.
There are intentions of artificial introduction of salmonid fishes in Belčišta wetland to develop the recreative fishery and tourism in this area. Introduction and spread of salmonids is a great risk factor to the survival of the ohrid minnows <italic>(Pelasgus minutus</italic>).
</abstract>

Fish Population in the Belčišta Wetland – Risk Assessment, Prevention and Management

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Pesticides are widely used to protect crops from pests, ensure food security, and increase agricultural productivity. However, the application of these chemicals can lead to unintended adverse effects on non-target aquatic organisms. This scientific manuscript provides a comprehensive review of the acute and chronic effects of pesticides on aquatic non-target organisms, focusing on their behavior, physiology, reproductive success, and populations dynamics. Understanding these effects is critical to developing effective strategies to minimize the ecological risks associated with pesticide use.
</abstract>

Acute and Chronic Effects of Pesticides on Non-Target Aquatic Organisms

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
In this study, we report the findings regarding the toxicity of surface waters collected in March 2023 from five sampling stations in the Zaghen restoration area, located within the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Romania. The assessment of acute toxicity was conducted using two microbiotests: the Thamnotoxkit F and the Daphtoxkit FTM magna. Even if the acute toxicity effects are less than 50% and do not allow the calculation of a toxicity score for the water samples, the experiments show a different vulnerability of the two zooplanktonic species to the presence of heavy metals in the water with mortality being higher in <italic>Thamnocephalus platyurus</italic> (20%) than in <italic>Daphnia magna</italic> (15%).
</abstract>

Toxicity Screening of Surface Waters in Zaghen Restoration Area with Toxkit Microbiotests

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The studied area is the single largest fishery in Bangladesh. The present work was conducted at two points of the Padma River (Sureshwar and Tarabunia) from July 2019 to June 2021 to monitor the efficiency of the 5th Hilsa sanctuary. Proportion of spent rate, length frequency, larvae and Jatka abundance, CPUE of larvae, the length-weight relationship of Jatka, plankton composition, and physico-chemical parameters of water were assessed and found adequate in the Hilsa sanctuary.
</abstract>

Assessment of the Efficiency of 5th (20 KM) Hilsa Shad (<italic>Tenualosa Ilisha</italic>) Sanctuary of the Padma River (Bangladesh) for Sustainable Policy Formulation and Conservation Management

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The purpose of this investigation was to identify the presence of parasite infections and cystic formation in <italic>Scomber japonicus</italic>, <italic>Scomber scombrus</italic>, and <italic>Thunnus thynnus</italic>. <italic>Euryphorus brachypterus </italic>and <italic>Clavellisa scombri </italic>were identified from <italic>Thunnus thynnus </italic>and <italic>Scomber scombrus</italic>, respectively. <italic>Anisakis pegreffii</italic> was identified from <italic>Scomber japonicus </italic>and <italic>Scomber scombrus </italic>by using molecular methods. Additionally, <italic>Anisakis typical </italic>was determined from <italic>Scomber japonicus</italic>.
</abstract>

Investigation of Some Fish Species of Scombridae Family in Terms of Parasites

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Using the Shannon-Weaver index (H’), the link between the physical and chemical components of the biological component in the Bosnia River was examined. The results showed that pH and H’ had a strong link (rs = 0.59), while total nitrogen and H’ had a poor relationship (rs = 0.44), and COD-Cr had a weak relationship (rs = 0.34). KPK-Cr (I water class) had the lowest parameter concentrations, whereas electrical conductivity (IV-V water class) showed the highest. The values of the biological elements range from a poor 0.267 to a high state of 2.26.
</abstract>

Correlation Between Water Quality and the Diversity Index of the Bosna River in the Zenica Region (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>An important fisheries sector of the Danube, the “Iron Gates” area, was studied by famous naturalists along the history like Marsigli, Haeckel, Kner, Antipa and Bănărescu. After more than half a century after the last main publication in this area, the “Iron Gates” Danube sector suffered significant human impact, and an assessment of the fish fauna was needed. The paper summarizes the trend of fish species along the XIX to XXIst centuries, and reveals the appearance of new species. The study includes data from about 65 fish species, belonging to: Acipenseridae, Polyodontidae, Clupeidae, Salmonidae, Esocidae, Cyprinidae, Cobitidae, Siluridae, Ictaluridae, Anguillidae, Lotidae, Gasterosteidae, Syngnathidae, Centrarchidae, Percidae, Gobiidae, Odontobutidae, and Cottidae. The major hidrotechnical works along with pollution, overexploitation and poachery, induced major changes in the ichthyofauna structure.</abstract>

Institute for Biological Research, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, Belgrade, RS-11000,

“Porţile de Fier/Iron Gates” Gorges Area (Danube) Fish Fauna

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Herbicides are used to control weeds and are usually targeted to sites that are specific to plants. Butachlor is an herbicide of the acetanilide class, which is widely used in agricultural fields. At the present study, lethal concentration (LC50) of butachlor was calculated for <italic>Rutilus rutilus caspicus</italic> and <italic>Sander lucioperca</italic> with a mean weight of 4 ± 1 g (mean ± SD). Our results indicated that LC50 96 h butachlor for <italic>R. rutilus caspicus</italic> and <italic>S. lucioperca</italic> were 0.342 and 0.760 ppm respectively. These findings suggest that butachlor is moderately toxic and moderately irritating for these two species. Clinical symptoms included irregular protrusion of the eyes and irregular swimming.</abstract>

Acute Toxicity of Butachlor to <italic>Rutilus rutilus caspicus</italic> and <italic>Sander lucioperca</italic> in Vivo Condition

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Of the 37 species of the European Union concern eight are already present and two present a future potential risk for Romania. This paper brings updated information regarding these species in Romania. The presence of eight invasive alien species of concern to the European Union have already been recorded in Romania: two plant species <italic>Cabomba caroliniana</italic> and <italic>Heracleum sosnowskyi</italic>, two crustaceans <italic>Orconectes limosus</italic> and <italic>Eriocheir sinensis</italic>, two fish species <italic>Pseudorasbora parva</italic> and <italic>Perccottus glenii</italic>, one reptile <italic>Trachemys scripta</italic> and one mammal <italic>Myocastor coypus</italic>. Other two species of Union concern (<italic>Lithobates catesbeianus</italic> and <italic>Procyon lotor</italic>) may soon become invaders in Romania. We emphasize the urgent need to assess their current distribution and impact or potential to establish and possible impact at national level.</abstract>

Alien Species of EU Concern in Romania

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Environmental contaminants, such as heavy metals and pesticides, are the most important toxic compounds of aquatic habitats. Heavy metals enter the aquatic environments via natural and anthropogenic pathways while the only source of pesticides is the anthropogenic usage of different types of pesticides including fungicide, insecticide and herbicide. Fish larvae and fingerlings are the most vulnerable life stages of fish which could be severely affected by pesticides as non-target organisms as well as by heavy metal pollution. The most important tissues affected by these pollutants are the gill, kidney and liver. Histopathological alterations of these vital organs could affect the survival rate, biological activities, osmoregulation, reproduction, buoyancy, etc., which finally could lead to failures in stock recruitment and population changes.</abstract>

Effects of Environmental Pollution on Fish: A Short Review

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Heavy metals can threaten ecosystem health and of food security. The purpose of percent study was evaluating the sensitivity of grass carp (<italic>Ctenopharyngodon idella</italic>) and Big head carp (<italic>Hypophthalmichthys nobilis</italic>) exposed to cadmium Chloride. To this end, fishes were exposed different concentrations of cadmium in range of cadmium chloride (0, 0.2, 1, 2, 6, 10 and 15 ml/l). The mortality of treatments was calculated at intervals of 24, 48, 72, 96 hours. Analysis of the data showed the 96 h LC50 of cadmium chloride for grass carp was 4.164 ml/l and for Big head carp was 5.590 ml/l. The results of this study showed that Cadmium is highly toxic for freshwater species.</abstract>

Toxicity Effects of Cadmium in Grass Carp (<italic>Ctenopharyngodon idella</italic>) and Big Head Carp (<italic>Hypophthalmichthys nobilis</italic>)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Water is indispensably important for sustenance of life. Wetlands serve as potential reservoirs of water which also harbour coveted bioresources, which sustain animal life. Fish is a potential bioresource for nutrition and offer work places for people. The Asian continent has innumerable wetlands with the Indian sub-continent portraying myriads of wetlands of different kinds, including perennial wetlands (locally called “Beel” or “Taal”), seasonal floodplain wetlands (“Haor”) and river-formed oxbow wetlands (“Anua”). In addition to playing a pivotal role in providing nutrition and work places to the people, wetlands also play a significant role in flood management, in regulating biogeochemical cycles, and above all, perhaps, in the rehabilitation of the innumerable fish stocks.</abstract>

Wetlands and their Fish Diversity in Assam (India)

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