The effects of water birds on water quality in a shallow Turkish soda lake, Lake Aktaş, were investigated by comparing protected areas and those exposed to birds, in order to understand interactions between the birds and the ecosystem in this study. The experiment was carried out over five months between June and October 2009, in four widely distributed bird-proof enclosures in treatment areas and four open-top enclosures (control areas), a total of eight plots, (with a fish density of about 1000 kg.ha-1, similar to the lake) in the lake. Physico-chemical analyses, phytoplankton, zooplankton, Secchi depth measurements, were determined each month in both treatment and control areas. The significant differences were found only for chlorophyll a (P<0.001) and Secchi depth (P<0.05) throughout the experiment between the open and bird-proof enclosures. Although some effects of water birds were clear in the present study such as decrease in turbidity and chlorophyll a, it is difficult to determine the effect of waterfowl on water chemistry using enclosure experiments, since they are designed to test the effect of ornithogenic inputs on the water column, not the effects of other factors (e.g. natural chemistry).

A 56–day 3 x 3 factorial experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of three levels of dietary crude protein (40, 45, and 50%) and three levels of crude fat (8, 12, and 16%) on the performance of Cynoscion othonopterus juveniles (initial mean body weight of 102.6±14.1 g). The levels of dietary crude protein and fat tested, or their interaction, did not influence significantly the growth response, as evaluated by final weight, weight gain, percent weight gain, thermal growth coefficient, feed conversion ratio, or survival. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter of experimental feeds ranged from 74.1 to 80.2%, without significant differences among treatments. In muscle tissue, increased crude fat deposition was observed in response to increasing levels of this nutrient. However, the content of crude protein and ash decreased significantly with both dietary crude protein and fat. In turn, moisture content increased significantly with dietary crude protein, from 71.2±2.5% (at 40% crude protein), to 75.9±1.4% (at 50% crude protein), but it was not affected by dietary crude fat. It appeared that 40% dietary crude protein was sufficient to promote adequate growth and survival for this species. Further research is warranted to evaluate if dietary protein requirements of C. othonopterus are below 40%, and to further elucidate the extent of the observed protein-sparing effect of dietary lipid.

There are a variety of algal species in Iran and little research has been carried out on their antioxidant activity. We tested the antioxidant properties of ten algae of Persian Gulf by determine the reducing power, NO radical scavenging, phenolic contents and inhibition lipid peroxidation. In order to evaluate the nutritional compounds of the algae, we determined the protein content of some Persian Gulf algae. Cladophoropsis sp. extract showed the highest reducing power (concentration 1.48±0.04 mg/ml with absorbance 0.5). Gracilariopsis longssimashowed the highest NO radical scavenging (p < 0.01). Among the species studied, Gracilaria salicornia had the highest phenolic content (2.7±0.13 mg/g).After ten days the lipid peroxidation inhibition of Cystoseira myrica, Cladophoropsis sp. and Colpomenia sinousa extracts were 79.29%, 79.29% and 79.25% respectively, which higher than the antioxidant standards BHT (66.86%) and Vit C (64.06%). Inpresent study, Cladophoropsis sp. hadthe highest protein content (2.49±0.113 g/100g). More studies should be carried out on its potential as a source of food.

Chironomidae larvae or bloodworms are natural food that has the nutrients suitable for freshwater fish needs. This study aims to determine the effect of exposure periods of artificial substrates and season on increase of bloodworms biomass. The highest quantity of bloodworms biomass in artificial substrates was obtained during the exposure periods of 14-21 days in March (high water phase). Bloodworms biomass were positively correlated with water quality parameters such as nitrate (r = 0.848), orthophosphate (r = 0.805) and pH (r = 0.662) whereas negatively correlated with total suspended solid (r = - 0.642). Bloodworm production capacity in floodplain waters reached 1.934 tons dry-weight.ha-1.yr-1. The production of bloodworms in floodplain waters using artificial substrate can support the availability of natural food for fish farming.

The effect of acute and chronic exposure of pesticide profenofos on its accumulation and some hematological parameters of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were studied. The 96 hrs LC50 of profenofos to Nile tilapia was determined to be 0.87 mg/l. No detectable profenofos in aquaria water was observed after 14, 21 and 28 days of trial period and during recovery. Profenofos were accumulated in higher rate fish tissues during the acute exposure. However, during chronic period a gradual increase was observed through 1 to 7 days followed by gradual decrease until it was not detectable at the end of 28 days. Regarding hematology, highly significant increase in WBCs counts during both theacute and chronic exposure to was observed. Highly significant decrease in RBCs counts, Hb content and Hct % was noticed during experimental periods. For most of the recorded data, it showed marked improvement during the recovery period. There was a significant increase in MCHC during both acute andchronic periods which were restored to its normal values by the end of chronic period. During the acute intoxication, MCH and MCV values showed highly significant decrease. Thereafter, MCH and MCV restored its normal level, except MCV on day 7th during the chronic exposure. In conclusion, profenofos exert an alteration of fish hematological parameters and profenofos deposited in their flesh.

Plant species diversity of a natural (Gyawana) and a man-made (Kiri) lakes in the Upper Benue River Basin of Nigeria was carried out at monthly interval from January 2004 to December 2005, and a biological inventory of the plant species was conducted using the Direct Tally Method (DTM) and Point Centered Quarter (PCQ) plot less sampling techniques. A total of 84 plant species were recorded during the studies in Kiri and Gyawana lakes. Forty six (46) plant species belonging to 20 families were identified at Kiri Lake, while 38 plant species belonging to 17 families were identified at Gyawana Lake. There was a significant (p<0.01) difference in the number of aquatic macrophytes between the sites with Gyawana wetland ecosystem satisfying the criteria 1 and 2 for designation as Ramsar site. It is imperative therefore, that the Federal Ministry of Environment considers the designation of the site as Ramsar site.

The research was conducted to study the diatoms in a lotic ecosystem (Al-ShamiyahRiver) and related physicochemical factors for the period from March 2013 to January 2014. Four sites were selected along the river and the study included measuring the temperature (air and water), water flow rate, turbidity, light penetration, pH, total available carbon dioxide, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, electrical conductivity, salinity, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, total alkalinity, hardness, calcium, magnesium, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and silicate. Furthermore, the quantitative and qualitative studies of diatoms were done. A total of 144 taxa of diatoms was identified with predominate of pennate diatoms (129 species), while the centric diatoms were 15 species. The recorded identified diatoms were 83, 68, 74 and 81 species in sites 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Total number of diatoms ranged 16347.7- 31514.6 cell × 103/l. High values of diversity indices were recorded in this study. The results revealed that the river was not under pollution stress.

The present study shows that Turkish fishery products comprise commercially important 65 sea fish, 28 other sea products (i.e., crustaceans, mollusks), 20 freshwater products and 5 aquacultured species (trout, carp, sea bream, sea bass and mussel). During the 2006-2010 period, the quantity of fishery products in Turkey varied from a low of 623 191 tons in 2009 to high of 772 323 tons in 2007. During this period the value of fishery products in Turkey varied from a low of 1 159 895 000 USD in 2009 to high of 1 726 241 000 USD in 2006. There was an increase in the contribution of aquacultured products to total fishery production. However, the contribution of freshwater products to total fishery production was relatively small and there was a decrease in the contribution of freshwater products to total fishery production in recent years. It can be concluded that Turkey produces important values of fishery products and has a great potential for the development of these products, but this potential has not been employed competently. In order to increase fish production, it is necessary to plan and implement a strategy by the Authorities to resolve the problems of fisheries in Turkey.