Submarine canyons along the upper Sardinian slope (Central Western Mediterranean) as repositories for derelict fishing gears

Cau, Alessandro; Alvito, Andrea; Moccia, Davide; Canese, Simonepietro; Pusceddu, Antonio; Cannas, Rita; Angiolillo, Michela; Follesa, María Cristina

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.09.010

Cited by 85 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The role of the CWC province as EFH with a beneficial influence on fisheries resources has been previously demonstrated (Capezzuto, Sion, et al, 2018;D'Onghia, 2019;D'Onghia et al, 2019). The extensive three-dimensional CWC habitat hosts a great variety of species, for which it acts as a feeding, spawning, and refuge area from fishing (Baillon et al, 2012;Bo et al, 2015;Capezzuto, Sion, et al, 2018;Cau et al, 2017;Costello et al, 2005;D'Onghia et al, 2016D'Onghia et al, , 2019Freiwald et al, 2004;Henry et al, 2013;Husebø et al, 2002;Kutti et al, 2014;Quattrini et al, 2012;Reed, 2002;Ross & Quattrini, 2007 Red List of Marine Fishes (Nieto et al, 2015), and those of commercial interest such as Helicolenus dactylopterus, Merluccius merluccius, Pagellus bogaraveo, and Polyprion americanus, with M. merluccius considered Vulnerable in the IUCN Mediterranean Regional Red List (Relini et al, 2017), could emphasize the role of the SML CWC province as a partial refuge from fishing activity, and could stress the need for its protection. CWC communities are impacted by anthropogenic activities (Hinz, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…CWC communities are used by commercial and noncommercial fishes and invertebrates for shelter, feeding, growing, spawning, and as nursery areas, providing essential fish habitat (EFH) (e.g. Baillon, Hamel, Wareham, & Mercier, 2012;Buhl-Mortensen et al, 2010;Busby, Orr, & Blood, 2006;Cau et al, 2017;D'Onghia, 2019;D'Onghia et al, 2010D'Onghia et al, , 2016D'Onghia, Sion, & Capezzuto, 2019;Etnoyer & Warrenchuk, 2007;Freiwald, Fosså, Grehan, Koslow, & Roberts, 2004;Gomes-Pereira et al, 2017;Henry et al, 2013;Roberts, Wheeler, Freiwald, & Cairns, 2009). For these reasons CWCs are impacted by commercial fishing (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Revealing the coral habitat effect on benthopelagic fauna diversity in the Santa Maria di Leuca cold‐water coral province using different devices and Bayesian hierarchical modelling

Capezzuto

Calculli

Carlucci

et al. 2019

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Data from two experimental longline surveys and two video inspections carried out in Santa Maria di Leuca cold‐water coral province (Mediterranean Sea) during spring–autumn 2010 were used in order to compare the benthopelagic abundance and diversity between coral and non‐coral habitats and between different devices. The sampling was carried out in two types of habitat: a coral habitat with carbonate mounds and a non‐coral habitat characterized by intermound sea floor. A Bayesian hierarchical modelling approach to accommodate factors influencing community assemblages was used considering the number of species, the Shannon–Wiener diversity index and the two most abundant species represented by the European conger (Conger conger) and blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus). A relevant effect of the habitat factor was observed for both the number of species and the diversity index, showing a higher species number and diversity index in the coral habitat than in the non‐coral habitat. Concerning the relevance of fixed effects from the model on the probability of observing non‐zero (positive) abundances, the devices considered, longline and baited lander, did not show different influence for either C. conger or H. dactylopterus. In the case of positive abundance, a relevant device effect was only observed for H. dactylopterus, showing higher abundances for longline than for baited lander. A habitat effect was detected, with positive abundances for both species in the coral habitat. This study proves that structurally complex habitats generated by cold‐water corals influence the distribution and diversity of the benthopelagic fauna, and that the use of different devices can provide complementary useful results. Increased knowledge about the role of cold‐water corals in the associated benthopelagic fauna could lead to better conservation of one of the most important hot spots of biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revealing the coral habitat effect on benthopelagic fauna diversity in the Santa Maria di Leuca cold‐water coral province using different devices and Bayesian hierarchical modelling

Capezzuto

Calculli

Carlucci

et al. 2019

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…plastic fragments or bags). The two sites, compared with the majority of canyons off the eastern coast of Sardinia, are located far from the coastline (>8 nmi); however, this does not appear to protect these habitats from various pressures coming both from artisanal fishing activities, which are common in this area of the Mediterranean (Cau, Alvito, et al, ; Follesa et al, ), and also from touristic activities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

New sites expanding the “Sardinian cold‐water coral province” extension: A new potential cold‐water coral network?

Moccia

Cau

Alvito

et al. 2018

Aquatic Conservation

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cold‐water coral (CWC) ecosystems are protected both in national and international waters. They are considered Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and, in addition, meet the criteria to be defined ecological or biological significant areas. Two new sites of the “Sardinian CWC province” were discovered by means of remotely operated vehicle surveys in two submarine canyons in the north‐eastern portion of the Sardinian continental margin, at depths ranging from 230 to 430 m. Dense and healthy patches of small and medium‐sized Madrepora oculata colonies were found dwelling on rocky walls and inclined silted soft bottoms. A rich and diverse associated megafauna was found within both live and dead portions of the coral framework. In addition, the presence of benthic litter and derelict fishing gears were also documented. These results further extend the “Sardinian CWC province” extension, providing insights of a potential CWC network along the Sardinian continental margin with implications for the Mediterranean mosaic of CWC provinces, further stressing the need for urgent conservation measures for these habitats.

show abstract

“…They have provided new insights into megafauna diversity in the SML CWC province and BC, small scale distribution and behaviour of invertebrates and fishes and linkage between species and habitats. Since these habitats show a high biodiversity and can act as refuge sites for valuable species [4], [14], they often are impacted by fishing activities and other anthropogenic injuries [8].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to foto-or video-cameras, all these systems can be equipped with CTD, current meters, sediment traps, baitrelease and other devices. Although all these systems suffer from the fact that quantification and even identification of species can be doubtful, their low impact has become fundamental in the study of sensitive and vulnerable habitats, where grabs, sledges and fishing gears would damage the benthic fauna and habitats unacceptably [4], [5], [7], [8]. Moreover, video systems are innovatory since they allow to collect data on environmental parameters, seafloor features, habitat and associated fauna, even in less accessible habitats, such as seamounts and canyons [7]- [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using a benthic lander to explore and monitor vulnerable ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

<p class="Abstract">The MEMO (Marine Environment MOnitoring system) baited lander is used to explore and monitor marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea. MEMO is equipped with 2 video cameras, a multiparametric probe and a current meter, fully operative down to 1000 m in depth for 24 consecutive hours. Since 2010, the ecology team of the Department of Biology of the University of Bari (Italy) deployed the MEMO lander in some sensitive and vulnerable deep-sea habitats of the Mediterranean Sea, as part of national and international research projects. Data on environmental parameters (depth, salinity, temperature and current) and related to bentho-pelagic species, their small-scale distribution, size and behavior, have been recorded. MEMO has been also deployed in fragile and structurally complex habitats, such as coralligenous and cold-water corals, in order to monitor physico-chemical and biological variables as part of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Some practical applications of the MEMO lander are reported here, with indications of relative advantages and limitations.</p>

show abstract

Submarine canyons along the upper Sardinian slope (Central Western Mediterranean) as repositories for derelict fishing gears

Cited by 85 publications

References 22 publications

Revealing the coral habitat effect on benthopelagic fauna diversity in the Santa Maria di Leuca cold‐water coral province using different devices and Bayesian hierarchical modelling

Revealing the coral habitat effect on benthopelagic fauna diversity in the Santa Maria di Leuca cold‐water coral province using different devices and Bayesian hierarchical modelling

New sites expanding the “Sardinian cold‐water coral province” extension: A new potential cold‐water coral network?

Using a benthic lander to explore and monitor vulnerable ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About