Fisheries impact on the Sea of Marmara ecosystem structure and functioning during the last three decades

The Sea of Marmara (SoM), without doubt, is one the most disturbed marine ecosystems Mediterranean basin. As a semi-enclosed and recognized eutrophic basin, it has unique natural characteristic by permanent stratification at ~25 m depth. SoM ecosystem under threat multiple stressors from excessive nutrient enrichment, overfishing, invasive species, habitat loss to climate change. Within this study, an assessment on structure functioning its changes over time have been achieved. Hence, we firstly evaluate period three decades 1990s 2010s using mass-balance Ecopath models, secondly, delineate prevailing in each period, thirdly determine how fishing impact contributed since finally establish baseline for management future studies ecosystem. comparison models’ results consecutive periods showed that energetic capacity decreased significantly while decrease cycling indices indicated became fragile anthropogenic disturbances. According theory indices, immature stage autotrophic succession, with very high total primary production, much more above unity greatly exceeds respiration. Our highlighted was bottom-up control exerted mesozooplankton; however, anchovy bottleneck energy transfers higher trophic levels creating also wasp-waist food-web. bycatch demersal species long life span, sharks rays, brought them brink going commercial extinction. Overall, were due cascades fisheries exploitation addition productivity system. We conclude concomitant impacts so diverse immediate action plan required. Therefore, propose tentative outlook will help monitoring better SoM.