Mass Mortality Report of Critically Endangered Fan Mussel (Pinna nobilis, Linnaeus 1758) from Cunda Island, Ayvalık (Aegean Sea, Turkey)

Abstract

Fan mussel Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758) species has been critically endangered in the Mediterranean Sea because of Haplosporidium pinnae. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the current status of the fan mussel populations at three station (Patriça Beach, Bıyıklı Beach and Çataltepe Beach) in Cunda Island Ayvalık, Aegean Sea. Underwater observation carried out on July 2020. Mass mortality (100%) was observed at all station during the study. Length of fan mussel was ranged between 39.8 cm and 79.8 cm and no individuals were in small sized.