Premiere observation du marlin de Mediterranee Tetrapterus belone Rafinesque, 1810 dans les eaux septentrionales de la Tunisie

Abstract

A Mediterranean spearfish Tetrapturus belone captured as bycatch by longliners in Galite area (North of Tunisia), on March 2004 was landed at Bizerte port. It is an Istiophoridae of the species Tetrapterus belone Rafinesque, 1810. The Mediterranean spearfish constitutes a new addition to the Tunisian fish fauna. It is an endemic Mediterranean specie, has been reported from the central Mediterranean sea, and never from the Tunisian water. The principal characteristics of the specimen are given.