## 4 Discussion  
The present research aimed at providing, for the first time, epidemiological data regarding the presence _Anisakis_ L3 larvae in 10 different fish species in the region of Vlora (Albania) over a 5-year period. It is important to highlight that all data reported in this study can be applied in risk assessment in the 10 analyzed fish species. Anisakiasis is a gastrointestinal fishborne zoonosis that is annually increasing in numerous countries in the Mediterranean area. Spain in particular has the highest reported incidence in Europe and the second highest worldwide [28]. The quantitative risk assessment analysis performed by [PERSON] et al. [29] found that the risk of anisakiasis due to the consumption of raw or marinated unfrozen anchovies in the Spanish population was approximately 7700-8320 cases per year. Anisakids are known to be resistant to inadequate freezing (freezing in domestic freezers), microwaving, improper heating, and salting [30; 31; 32]. Moreover, visual inspection of the fish can detect 50% of the parasites, whereas in most cases, this cannot detect worms embedded deep in the fish musculature [23]. The present study revealed the absence of _Anisakis_ larvae out of a total of 100 in all analyzed samples of _Solea vulgaris_ in the coastal area of the Karaburun Peninsula in Vlora Bay. Few results are available in the literature regarding the presence of _Anisakis_ larvae in the common sole (_Solea solea_). Its absence was observed by [PERSON] et al. [33] in fish from the Dardanelles at Canakkale (Turkey). However, the number of fish specimens of common sole was limited to only 20 of them. Another study conducted by [PERSON] et al. [34] showed the presence of a nematode parasite belonging to the family Anisakidae in the genus _Hysterethyl calcium_ along the city of Alexandria, Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea. Our study then showed that the species with the lowest prevalence and mean abundance were observed in _Dicentrachus labrax_ (9.17% and 1.19, respectively) and _Sparus aurata_ (4.55% and 0.84, respectively). It is also interesting to note that in this case, both species came from fish farms. This result may be due to the feeding procedures employed in the fish farms, where the anisakid life cycle is disrupted, providing non-viable L3 larvae. Furthermore, the chances of infected secondary or paratenic hosts entering cages and being eaten by farmed fish are modest [35; 36]. However, rare incidents of an _Anisakis_ presence in farmed fish have been observed by [PERSON] et al. [37], who reported the presence of _Anisakis_ spp. among farmed Atlantic salmon (_Salmo salar_). Even though, from the reported data, the level of _Anisakis_ confirmed a low risk in farmed fish in the Vlora region, official systematic monitoring is necessary to ensure public health. According to European Regulation No. 853/2004 and No. 2074/2005, the risk of infection in farmed fish cannot be excluded. Indeed, sea-farmed fish are part of the monitoring plan under the organization of official controls. Regarding high-risk species, in our study, they were represented by chub mackerel (_Somber japonicus_), horse mackerel (_Trachurus trachurus_), and Atlantic mackerel (_Somber