Vulnerable· population decreasing· assessed 2014

European Spiny Lobster

Palinurus elephas

Sighting evidence at Blue Cave (Light Cave), Fethiye / Göcek

Photo: Robert Moorhead · CC BY-NC

The cave's shaded overhangs and deep crevices shelter resident lobsters that emerge to feed at night on the surrounding reef. Population density is higher inside the cave than on exposed sections of coast due to reduced fishing pressure within the protected bay system. Adults can reach 50 cm and are best observed on early morning dives before they fully retreat into shade.

Evidence at this site

0 records within 25 km

Confidence: low

No date on file

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

European Spiny Lobster

Evidence at this site

Also seen at other sites