Ichthyoplankton community structure in Boka Kotorska Bay (Southern Adriatic Sea)

The state of biodiversity reflects the degree of stability and persistence of ecosystems, especially in cases of significant direct or indirect anthropogenic impacts on marine environment. The early life stages of fishes at three locations in the area of marina Porto Montenegro were analyzed during spring and summer of 2016, 2017 and 2018 by monthly dynamics (March-August). The aim of this work is to compare the diversity of species with existing data, especially after the formation of the exclusive marina and to estimate possible impact on the distribution and species composition. Investigation shows dominance of anchovy (E. encrasicolus) and sand steenbras (Lithognatus mormyrus). Total ichthyoplankton abundance was lowest during 2017 when total abundance was in range from 4-24 eggs/larvae per m2 of sea surface, while during 2016 and 2018 total abundance was in range from 4-67 and 4-86 eggs/larvae per m2 of sea surface, respectively. It can be concluded that the anthropogenic impact most likely caused the changes that led to the change in composition of dominant species between years and the negligible spawning of anchovy in 2017. Results pointed out the necessity of introducing of more intense management and protection measures of pelagic fish species in the area of Boka Kotorska Bay.