Aquatic environments are one of the final destinations for microplastics. In this review, a combination of systematic and narrative literature review was conducted to identify and summarise advances, gaps, and future directions in microplastic monitoring studies in the Turkish aquatic environment and in inhabiting aquatic organisms. A total of 62 peer-reviewed publications available on Web of Science were considered in the systematic review. Additionally, the current state of microplastic pollution in Turkish aquatic environments which includes marine and freshwater ecosystems, as well as aquatic organisms, and sources and characteristics of microplastics were reviewed narratively. Türkiye`s position on the global plastic treaty and mitigation practices were also addressed. Although an increase in the number of publications over time was observed, the number and extent of studies carried out in freshwater ecosystems are limited. Strict legislation should be enacted and enforced to tackle plastic pollution in Türkiye. Additionally, nationwide, long-term monitoring studies at sufficiently regular intervals in aquatic environments should be considered.

Members of the Engraulidae (anchovies) fuel large fisheries around the globe, helping to fulfil demands for food. On the other hand, unpredictable catches that are a very common occurrence with respect to this family can have drastic consequences on economies of different countries. Like many other fisheries, the Black Sea anchovy fishery is a very good example of a fishery greatly affected by abrupt peaks and troughs in landings. In this work, the existing knowledge on the species' overwintering behavior and exploitation patterns along the south coast of the Black Sea is re-evaluated with respect to recent observations. The strong seasonality and very short fishing season are noted as the main characteristics regulating development of the fishery over time. Climatic variability may sometimes generate favorable overwintering conditions outside areas where anchovy aggregations are usually expected, resulting in a temporal shift in overwintering grounds. As most fishing activity takes place on these grounds, low catches in some years are more likely to have been due to fishing the wrong areas, rather than stock decline. This is particularly the case when geopolitical developments have reshaped the fishery, such as the collapse of the Soviet Union, whose fishing fleet once dominated the anchovy fishery. Such irregularities pose considerable management challenges, in particular stock management. Some significant harvest control strategies applied to various anchovy stocks are reviewed and discussed with respect to peculiarities of the Black Sea anchovy.

Aquaculture emerges as a crucial solution for addressing the global food shortage of an estimated 10 billion people by 2050. In Türkiye, aquaculture plays a significant role in supporting the economy and ensuring food security. Over the past two decades, finfish production in Türkiye surged from 61,163 to 547,505 t, generating $1.7 billion in export revenue across over 100 countries. This growth has been driven by technological advancements, robust governmental support, and increasing global demand for aquaculture products. However, the sector also faces persistent challenges, including the need to enhance sustainability, mitigate ecological impacts, and manage finite resources. As Europe's leading fish producer, the Turkish aquaculture sector must continue to innovate and expand to meet the demands of a growing population. Despite the expanding research on Turkish finfish aquaculture, there is no comprehensive review that consolidates both scientific progress and sectoral developments. This study fills that void by combining a bibliometric analysis of 1958 scientific publications from 1983 to 2023 with an in‐depth sectoral evaluation, providing a holistic understanding of the Turkish aquaculture sector. The bibliometric analysis highlights key research areas, trends, and knowledge gaps, while the sectoral overview examines production trends, dynamics of the feed industry, technological innovations, and economic factors. It also addresses challenges such as climate change impacts, reliance on imported feed ingredients, and disease issues, discussing potential avenues for sustainable growth through innovation, policy reforms, and technological integration. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, offering insights into the current state and future directions of finfish aquaculture in Türkiye.

Sustainable mussel farming practices are critical for maintaining production and enhancing growth of the low trophic aquaculture sector. The concept of Integrated Multi‐Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) and incorporating mussels as extractive species, holds promise for enhancing overall system efficiency, nutrient cycling, and environmental sustainability. This review delves into innovative aquaculture techniques emphasizing the synergistic relationships between Mytilus galloprovincialis and other species such as seaweeds and deposit feeders that prioritize environmental stewardship by absorbing excess nutrients, processing organic waste, and including best management practices for waste mitigation. Marine spatial planning (MSP) through IMTA development can support optimal capacity building scenarios, incorporating ecosystem services and social benefits. This review explores the different aspects of mussel biology, ecology, aquaculture, sustainability, and future perspectives on the basis of literature data, with a context of capacity building in the Atlanto‐Mediterranean area. The literature data were analyzed in order to explain interactions between primary species and mussels as extractive species. We developed conceptual models at three different scales—small, medium, and large—to define the optimal growth performance of mussels in relation to their distance from the aquaculture nutrient source. The consistent trend favoring medium‐scale conditions has led us to conclude that mussels predominantly extract nutrients indirectly, primarily through the phytoplankton blooms resulting from fertilization. On this basis, we recommend that the marine spatial integration of mussels must be designed according to these models to optimize production while mitigating the side effects of fish cage aquaculture.