Age, growth and mortality were analysed for the common twobanded seabream, Diplodus vulgaris, collected in the eastern Adriatic (Croatian coast) from commercial fishery catches by ÔtramataÕ fishing (2005)(2006) to obtain growth estimation. The oldest female was estimated to be age 11, the oldest male age 10 years. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated by reading scales were: L ¥ = 48.60 cm (SE = 1.101), K = 0.112 (SE = 0.005) and t 0 = )2.366 (SE = 0.060) for all specimens; L ¥ = 51.96 cm (SE = 2.153), K = 0.095 (SE = 0.007) and t 0 = )2.837 (SE = 0.120) for females and L ¥ = 56.25 cm (SE = 2.662), K = 0.084 (SE = 0.067) and t 0 = )2.920 (SE = 0.117) for males. The overall sex ratio was 1.22 : 1 in favour of males. Total mortality, corresponding to the slope of the descending limb of the catch curve, was Z = 0.81 per year for females and Z = 0.85 per year for males. Exploitation ratios were E = 0.68 for females and E = 0.73 for males.

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The Neretva River Delta in Croatia is under constant threat of pollution from various sources along the river watercourse, such as the aluminium industry and bauxite mining, intensive agriculture and untreated sewage from towns. The area is also an important fishing ground and food source for the local residents, whereby the suitability of fish for human consumption is always in question. In this paper the presence of arsenic from six sources was analysed: in water, sediment and fish organs (kidneys, liver, muscles and gonads) of 11 fish species: Lepomis gibbosus, Carassius auratus gibelio, Cyprinus carpio, Anguilla anguilla, Ameiurus nebulosus, Mugil cephalus, Leuciscus svallize, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Salmo trutta, Tinca tinca and Scardinius plotiza. The research showed that arsenic concentrations varied significantly from one source to another in the water, sediment and organs of different fish species. Average concentrations in water and sediment were 18.1 lg L )1 and 32.7 lg kg )1 , respectively. Average arsenic levels in the fish organs were 115.9, 105.8, 76.1 and 61.9 lg kg )1 in muscles, kidneys, gonads and livers, respectively. These values are below legally permitted concentrations, although individuals with higher than average concentrations were recorded.

In this paper new data on distribution and new taxonomic status of the caddisfly Triaenodes ochreellus lefkas are given. DNA barcoding data are also included into defining new status of the species Triaenodes lefkas stat. nov. Data from DNA barcoding analyses of 60 specimens from the genus Triaenodes from the BOLD database show certain taxonomic peculiarities in specimens of T. unanimis from Japan.

Records of European catfish Silurus glanis in the Neretva River delta (Adriatic Sea basin) in Croatia are reported. The first occurrence of this non-native species was reported via social network which led to its timely detection by researchers. Origin of introduction is unknown but it is most likely the case of human-mediated introduction. The importance of social networks as a useful tool for the timely detection of non-native fish species, as well as the importance of raising awareness about the impacts of biological invasions, is discussed in this paper.

In contrast to the Apennine Peninsula coast, the relatively rare occurrence of sea lampreys Petromyzon marinus in the Balkan Peninsula (eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea) is probably due to the closeness of the steep mountains causing unsuitable hydrological conditions of streams and impeded access to the coast. Most specimens are probably represented by invaders carried from the Mediterranean and other regions of the Adriatic Sea. Morphology was similar to that recorded for the sea lampreys from other geographical regions. # 2004 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles

This paper presents a review of the unusual occurrences of various marine species found upstream in the Neretva River and its wider delta zone in the last two decades. The occurrences of at least eight different marine species were reported by local fishermen, representing very rare records of these species in the upstream areas of rivers. Although some of these species generally inhabit both saltwater and brackish waters, their occurrences high upstream are probably the consequence of changes in hydrological conditions in Neretva River. Namely, more intense saltwater intrusion into the river observed in the last two decades provides suitable conditions for mass penetration of euryhaline organisms high into the Neretva River. In this biodiversity rich area which hosts a significant number of endemic species, such phenomena can threaten the local freshwater communities.