Sphyraena sphyraena (Linnaeus 1758) —European barracuda

Taxonomy. First record from Lebanon as Sphyroena spet Lacép. = Sphyroena vulgaris, C.V. by Gruvel (1931: 89); subsequently recorded as Sphyraena sphyraena (Linnaeus 1758) by George et al. (1964: 16); as Sphyraena sphyraena (Linnaeus) by Mouneimné (1977: 65); as Sphyraena sphyraena (Linnaeus 1758) by Mouneimné (2002: 189–190). Material in collection: ANSP, AUBM, BMNH, MCZ, SMNS and USNM.

Distribution. Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, eastern Atlantic: Bay of Biscay south to Angola, including Azores, Madeira and Saint Paul’s Rocks; western Atlantic: Bermuda and Brazil.

Conservation. IUCN: Global (LC: 14 July 2014); Med. (LC: 16 November 2007). Capture and threats: FIT, NIS, unknown. Occurrence: Common. Low priority for conservation action .