Seascape connectivity of European anchovy in the Central Mediterranean Sea revealed by weighted Lagrangian backtracking and bio-energetic modelling

Falcini, Federico; Corrado, Raffaele; Torri, Marco; Mangano, Maria Cristina; Zarrad, Rafik; Cintio, Antonio Di; Palatella, Luigi; Jarboui, Othman; Missaoui, Hechmi; Cuttitta, Angela; Patti, Bernardo; Santoleri, Rosalia; Sarà, Gianluca; Lacorata, Guglielmo

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-75680-8

Cited by 22 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…The study area located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, with direct influence of Atlantic and Levantine waters, creates unique environmental conditions selected as optimal spawning grounds by different tuna species as has been observed for other species (Falcini et al, 2020;Mangano et al, 2020;Patti et al, 2020). In this study, similarities with other well-characterized spawning grounds in the Central and Western Mediterranean were highlighted, where the three selected tuna species also coexist (Alemany et al, 2010;Koched et al, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Unveiling the Relationship Between Sea Surface Hydrographic Patterns and Tuna Larval Distribution in the Central Mediterranean Sea

et al. 2021

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Thunnus thynnus (Atlantic bluefin tuna, ABT) and other tuna species reproduce in the Mediterranean Sea during the summer period. Despite the Central Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Sicily in particular, being a key spawning site for many tuna species, little is known on the effects of oceanographic variability on their larval distribution in this area. The abundance and presence-absence of larval specimens for three tuna species (ABT, bullet tuna and albacore) were modeled in order to examine their relationships with environmental factors, by analysing historical in situ information collected during seven annual surveys (2010–2016). The results revealed that most tuna larvae for the three species were found in the easternmost part of the study area, south of Capo Passero. This area is characterized by a stable saline front and warmer nutrient-poor water, and it has different environmental conditions, compared with the surrounding areas. The models used to investigate the presence-absence and abundance of the three species showed that ABT was the most abundant, followed by bullet tuna and albacore. The presence and abundance data collected are comparable with those of other spawning areas in the Mediterranean. Regarding biological and physical parameters, the results suggest that temperature, salinity, and day of the year are the key factors for understanding the ecological mechanisms and geographical distribution of these species in this area. Temperature affects the presence of ABT larvae and salinity, which, with a physical barrier effect, is a key factor for the presence-absence of bullet and albacore and for albacore abundance.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Unveiling the Relationship Between Sea Surface Hydrographic Patterns and Tuna Larval Distribution in the Central Mediterranean Sea

et al. 2021

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“…Further evidence of the exchange rate between the European and African sides of the SoS has been recently provided by Falcini et al (2020) who used backward‐in‐time simulations to assess the putative location of spawning grounds of European anchovy within the SoS and adjacent areas over the period 2009–2012. Their findings are consistent with our results and highlight a certain level of connectivity between the northern SoS and GSA 12 although characterized by high temporal variability, as well as a minor and equally variable potential contribution due to GSAs 11, 19.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In the last decade, plenty of such simulation exercises have been conducted in the Mediterranean Sea and, in particular, in the Strait of Sicily (SoS hereafter) where Lagrangian transport models have been developed to investigate the dispersal of early life stages (eggs/larvae) of both pelagic and demersal species (Falcini et al, 2015; Falcini et al, 2020; Gargano et al, 2017; Palatella et al, 2014; Patti et al, 2020; Quattrocchi et al, 2019; Torri et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The objective of our study is to shed more light on the fundamental issue of DPS recruitment dynamics and stock structure in the SoS by reversing the question, that is, where the eggs/larvae that settle on the known nursery areas of the northern SoS have been originated. In recent years, several authors have applied larval dispersal models in backtracking mode to identify the potential spawning grounds of a range of species, including coastal fish (Calò et al, 2018; Legrand et al, 2019; Torrado et al, 2021), small pelagics (European anchovy; Falcini et al, 2020) and deep‐sea demersal species such as the Blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus (Clavel‐Henry et al, 2021). Our interest for the DPS is due to its high commercial importance for the trawl fisheries in the SoS with an estimated annual yield ranging from 7000 and 10,000 tons in the last years (FAO‐GFCM, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Where do recruits come from? Backward Lagrangian simulation for the deep water rose shrimps in the Central Mediterranean Sea

Gargano

Garofalo

Quattrocchi

et al. 2022

Fisheries Oceanography

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Backward-in-time Lagrangian dispersion models can efficiently reconstruct drifters trajectories by linking known arrival positions to potential sources. This approach was applied to the deep water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) in the Strait of Sicily (central Mediterranean Sea). The objective was to identify the potential spawning areas of the larvae that settle in the known nursery grounds of the northern sector of the Strait of Sicily, thus quantifying the extent of the potential contribution to recruitment from the surrounding regions. Numerical simulations were performed over 11 years (2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015) and for two different periods (spring/summer and autumn/winter) corresponding to the species' spawning peaks in the region. The persistence over time of potential spawning areas was identified through a Hotspot analysis of the backward trajectories end-points, filtered to meet a suitable depth range for spawners. The results confirmed the expected downstream connectivity between spawning and nursery grounds along the Sicilian-Maltese shelf and, notably, indicated that these spawning grounds contribute to the high productivity and resilience of deep water rose shrimp fisheries in the northern Strait of Sicily more than the spawning grounds in surrounding regions. A minor and time-varying contribution is due to potential spawning areas identified on the African shelf. These results are important to adequately define the geographical scale for the assessment and management of this important fishery resource in the Strait of Sicily. In particular, the assumption of a single stock that does not consider the spatial structure of the population should be revised for the purpose of fisheries management.

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“…-Ecosystem modelling. Increasing the situational awareness of coastal seas at the scale of cities and urban areas will allow targeting the land-sea interface (Todd et al 2019), by integrating models focusing on the 'river-sea continuum' , 'estuary models' (simulating the freshwater release on the sea and the salt intrusion into the land), 'storm-surge' models (coupling hydrology and wave/tidal dynamics) and, under a holistic perspective, 'Lagrangian particle models' suitable for predicting the transport of pollution and sediments originating from land and to study ecological connectivity (Falcini et al 2020).…”

Section: Gapsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Mediterranean Sea we want

Cappelletto¹,

Santoleri²,

Evangelista³

et al. 2021

Ocean Coast. Res.

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Cappelletto et al.This paper presents major gaps and challenges for implementing the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021)(2022)(2023)(2024)(2025)(2026)(2027)(2028)(2029)(2030) in the Mediterranean region. The authors make recommendations on the scientific knowledge needs and codesign actions identified during two consultations, part of the Decade preparatory-phase, framing them in the Mediterranean Sea's unique environmental and socio-economic perspectives. According to the 'Mediterranean State of the Environment and Development Report 2020' by the United Nations Environment Programme Mediterranean Action Plan and despite notable progress, the Mediterranean region is not on track to achieve and fully implement the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030. Key factors are the cumulative effect of multiple human-induced pressures that threaten the ecosystem resources and services in the global change scenario. The basin, identified as a climate change vulnerability hotspot, is exposed to pollution and rising impacts of climate change. This affects mainly the coastal zones, at increasing risk of extreme events and their negative effects of unsustainable management of key economic assets. Transitioning to a sustainable blue economy is the key for the marine environment's health and the nourishment of future generations. This challenging context, offering the opportunity of enhancing the knowledge to define science-based measures as well as narrowing the gaps between the Northen and Southern shores, calls for a joint (re)action. The paper reviews the state of the art of Mediterranean Sea science knowledge, sets of trends, capacity development needs, specific challenges, and recommendations for each Decade's societal outcome. In the conclusions, the proposal for a Mediterranean regional programme in the framework of the Ocean Decade is addressed. The core objective relies on integrating and improving the existing ocean-knowledge, Ocean Literacy, and ocean observing capacities building on international cooperation to reach the "Mediterranean Sea that we want".

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Seascape connectivity of European anchovy in the Central Mediterranean Sea revealed by weighted Lagrangian backtracking and bio-energetic modelling

Cited by 22 publications

References 55 publications

Unveiling the Relationship Between Sea Surface Hydrographic Patterns and Tuna Larval Distribution in the Central Mediterranean Sea

Unveiling the Relationship Between Sea Surface Hydrographic Patterns and Tuna Larval Distribution in the Central Mediterranean Sea

Where do recruits come from? Backward Lagrangian simulation for the deep water rose shrimps in the Central Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea we want

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