Documented occurrence of the exotic soldierbream Argyrops filamentosus (Valenciennes, 1830) in the Specially Protected Area of Zembra (Tunisia): a result of a joint monitoring strategy

On March 2020, the Soldierbream Argyrops filamentosus (Valenciennes, 1830) was spotted in the Specially Protected Areas of Zembra island (eastern Tunisia) during the implementation of regular monitoring activities. One single individual was later captured nearby by gillnets at 60 m depth. This record stands for the second reported observation of this species in the Mediterranean Sea, its first occurrence being documented in Turkey on October 2015. The importance of a joint strategy for detecting non-indigenous species and other biodiversity changes in Mediterranean Marine Protected areas was raised and discussed.