On the presence of a well-established population of lobotes surinamensis (Bloch, 1790) in the central Mediterranean Sea

In the Mediterranean Sea, Lotobes surinamensis (Bloch, 1790) is considered a rare species. Although recent records from the Mediterranean Sea showed a range expansion of this thermophilic species, these only refer to one or two specimens. During the months of September to November 2017, we recorded a considerable increase in catches of specimens from the central Mediterranean Sea. Here, we report the presence of a well-established population of L. surinamensis from the southern Tyrrhenian Sea with considerations about its habits, presence and the role of fishermen in monitoring the species. An additional record (10th July 2016) from the Ionian Sea (first record for the area) is also reported