The Black Striped Pipefish (Syngnathus abaster) is a slender, elongated fish recognized by its dark lateral stripes and is commonly found in brackish and coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea. This species is not a major target for large-scale commercial fisheries due to its small size and specialized habitat, but it is sometimes collected for the aquarium trade and as bycatch in small-scale fisheries. The primary countries where Black Striped Pipefish are harvested include Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, and Greece, reflecting the species’ abundance in the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions. While not a significant contributor to national fishing economies, the capture of Black Striped Pipefish is closely monitored in some areas to ensure the preservation of local biodiversity and the health of coastal ecosystems.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.