A new maximum size record of the Conger conger (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Turkish Seas

The European conger (Conger conger) is the largest species within the Congridae family and an ecologically significant top predator in marine ecosystems. Although exceptionally large individuals are rarely observed in regular fishery catches, their documentation is crucial for biological and ecological research. This study reports the largest known specimen of European conger recorded in Turkish seas to date. The specimen was captured on May 13, 2025, at a depth of 65 m off the coast of Medreseönü Village in the Gulf of Fatsa (eastern Black Sea) using a turbot gillnet. The male individual measured 167.0 cm in total length and weighed 10.750 kg. Morphological measurements and sex identification were conducted using standard procedures. This individual is also the third largest European conger reported in the Mediterranean region. The species’ late maturation, semelparous reproduction, and vulnerability to fishing pressure highlight the importance of updating maximum size records for stock assessment and management.