Language
Country/Area
No result found
hy is European sea bass split between the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean? Scientists make new discovery
The European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), also known as branzino or seabass, is a major species of seabass found throughout the coastal waters of western and southern Europe. This fish is not only one of the most important farmed fish in the Mediterranean, but is also a popular dish in many restaurants. However, scientists recently discovered that two genetically distinct populations of European sea bass exist between the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. This is puzzling because the geographic separation between the two populations should not result in a lack of gene flow.
The scientists' findings show that juvenile European sea bass have difficulty swimming in currents, meaning the young fish may not be able to move easily between the two populations.
Causes of population divergence
The two populations are reported to be located in the north eastern Atlantic and western Mediterranean, respectively, separated by the Almeria-Olan hydrographic front. Although this distance is not far for other fish, it has formed a clear genetic isolation phenomenon. The problem this creates is that if these fish encounter strong currents during their juvenile stage, they should be affected and may move to another area.
Interestingly, the juveniles should theoretically be able to move between the two areas because they can tolerate different temperatures and salinities.
Distribution and habitat
The European sea bass's habitat includes estuaries, lagoons, coastal waters and rivers. This fish is common across much of the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from southern Norway southward to Senegan. It migrates seasonally, looking for different spawning and feeding areas. This process shows that this fish is able to adapt to different environments and waters.
Diet and Behavior
European sea bass is a carnivorous fish that feeds mainly on small fish, crustaceans and cephalopods. They hunt both during the day and at night, but fish larger than 4 kg prefer nocturnal hunting. Such eating habits place it at the top of the food chain and have an important impact on the ecosystem.
Fisheries and Aquaculture
With the development of the times, European sea bass has been listed as a near-threatened species due to increasing pressure from commercial fishing. Particularly in the UK, recreational fishers have pushed hard for fishery protection measures to protect the species. On the other hand, in aquaculture, Türkiye is the world's largest producer of European sea bass, with an annual production of more than 120,000 metric tons.
This shows that commercial demand for this species remains strong, but it also reminds us of the importance of protecting ecological resources.
European sea bass food culture
In classic Italian cuisine, branzino is usually cooked as a whole fish and served with lemon. It is widely loved for its delicious taste and flaky texture. Also known as "loup de mer" in France and "robalo" in Spain, this fish is enjoyed on tables in various countries.
Future Challenges
With global climate change and new regulations on fisheries management, whether the habitat of European sea bass can continue to exist and maintain its wide distribution and reproduction ability will continue to be a topic of concern to ecologists in the future. Scientists are still exploring the reasons for the separation between the two populations, which challenges our understanding: how can two genetically isolated marine populations overcome the bottleneck of geographic isolation?
