First Evidence-Based Record of Common Pandora Pagellus erythrinus on the Turkish Coast of the Black Sea

This paper documents the first evidence-based record of the common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) from the Turkish coast of the Black Sea, with specimens sampled during 2024. The samples were collected from four locations along the Black Sea coast, from Şile in the west to Perşembe in the east, at depths of 10–17 m in rocky habitats. The study suggests that the common pandora likely entered the Black Sea via the Bosphorus, a natural biological corridor linking the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. The recent warming of Black Sea waters and the ongoing process of Mediterraneanization, which facilitates the northward spread of species, are additional contributing factors. Biometric analysis of the specimens revealed total lengths ranging from 20.7 cm to 26.4 cm and body weights between 101.7 g and 248.5 g, confirming that all individuals were mature adults. With their reproductive maturity and high fecundity, the species is well-positioned for successful establishment and expansion in the Black Sea. Proactive monitoring and conservation strategies are recommended to assess the ecological and socio-economic implications of this species, including its potential as a commercially valuable fishery resource in the Black Sea.