Distribution of Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846) populations along the Spanish Mediterranean coast: A collapse and rebuilding episode

The deep-water rose shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris, is a demersal species found in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Seas. The study area comprises three Spanish CGPM-FAO Geographic Sub-Areas (GSA’s): Alboran Sea (GSA 1), the Balearic Islands (GSA 5) and Northern Spain (GSA 6). Data from annual commercial landings and MEDITS_ES surveys biomass index per haul (kg/km2) were analyzed for the 1994–2016 period. Mapping the spatial distribution of biomass makes evident its occurrence in all the areas, particularly in GSA 1 and also in the South of GSA 6. Depth distribution shows that presence ranged from 55 to 741 m, being mainly located between 200 to 300 m depth. Biomass index average shows large yearly oscillations, particularly in GSA 1 decreasing beyond 2009. In contrast biomass indices in GSA 6 (South and North) and in GSA 5 increased steeply and synchronously from 2006 onwards, rebuilding the populations to similar levels of a previously observed maximum

On the presence of Heterocarpus ensifer Milne Edwards, 1881 (Decapoda, Pandalidae) in the Spanish Mediterranean

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Influence of abiotic factors in the biomass of deep water shrimps, P. longirostris and A. antennatus, off Catalano-Levantine Mediterranean coast of Spain.

Deep-water shrimps show large inter-annual fluctuations in biomass. We analysed the influence of some abiotic factors in these fluctuations using survey data (2006-2009). While P. longirostris biomass was feebly affected by the T-S of the water masses, these factors, particularly salinity, seemed to have a significant effect on A. antennatus a species considered to be stenothermal and stenohaline, whose biomass distribution showed a direct relationship with the Levantine Intermediate Water

Two Tests for Dependence (of Unknown Form) between Time Series

This paper proposes two new nonparametric tests for independence between time series. Both tests are based on symbolic analysis, specifically on symbolic correlation integral, in order to be robust to potential unknown nonlinearities. The first test is developed for a scenario in which each considered time series is independent and therefore the interest is to ascertain if two internally independent time series share a relationship of an unknown form. This is especially relevant as the test is nuisance parameter free, as proved in the paper. The second proposed statistic tests for independence among variables, allowing these time series to exhibit within-dependence. Monte Carlo experiments are conducted to show the empirical properties of the tests.This research is the result of the activity performed under the program Groups of Excellence of the Region of Murcia, the Fundación Seneca, Science and Technology Agency of the region of Murcia project under grant 19884/GERM/15. All remaining errors are our responsibility

Demersal assemblages on the soft bottoms off the Catalan-Levante coast of the Spanish Mediterranean

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Distribution, abundance and biological features of anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius and Lophius budegassa) (Osteichthyes: Lophiiformes) in the Mediterranean Sea

The distribution and biological features of anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius and L. budegassa) in the Mediterranean Sea were analysed from trawl surveys data (MEDITS project, years 1994-1999). The above-mentioned species were widely distributed in the Mediterranean, but differences in abundance were found according to geographic sectors and depths. Most of the collected specimens belonged to the first length cohorts and length distributions also differed at macroarea levels. Mean sizes at female sexual maturity were estimated at 68.5 cm and 66.2 cm total length, respectively for L. piscatorius and L. budegassaPublicado

Biology (growth and reproduction) of the Mediterranean deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846), Crustacea, Decapoda) from the Alicante Gulf (s.e. Spain).

The deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) is a demersal species and an important resource for the trawl fishery in the Alicante Gulf (S.E. Spain). This paper describes, for first time in this area, certain biometric relationships, as well as growth parameters and reproductive patterns of the species. The results showed a sexual size dimorphism, with a negative allometry of relative growth and high rates of absolute growth, both particularly in males. However, females dominated in the catch proportion. The spawning period occurred throughout the year, but especially in June-July and in October-November and the maturation stage for females takes place within the second year of life

STECF Multiannual management plans SWW and NWW (STECF-15-08)

The STECF was tasked with an analysis of the likely effects of proposed management plans for the Southwestern (Bay of Biscay and Iberia) and Northwestern (Celtic sea) waters. Quantitative analyses were carried out to compare the likely effect of those management plans and of the direct application of the CFP on both stocks and fleets involved in these fisheries. Based on the results of simulations of the provisions of the proposed management plans, STECF concluded that, setting fishing opportunities in line with single-species FMSY ranges will provide managers with additional flexibility compared to the basic provisions of the 2013 CFP. Such flexibility is likely to help alleviate the problem of mismatches in quota availability in mixed-species fisheries thereby reducing the risk of early closure of some fisheries due to choke species. Adopting FMSY ranges will therefore increase the likelihood that desired exploitation rates will be achieved and will reduce the risk that some fishing fleets will go out of business. STECF considers that it is crucial that managers take note that persistent fishing at the upper limits of the FMSY ranges across all or most stocks simultaneously negates the flexibility introduced by the FMSY ranges and greatly increases the risk of overfishing. Such an approach will also increase the risk that the objectives of the CFP will not be achieved. STECF concludes that single species biomass safeguards for all stocks should be maintained to provide a basic level of protection. STECF notes that for the fleets affected by the SWW MAP, those providing the highest employment are generally not dependent to a great extent on the species that will be regulated through the MAP proposals. STECF notes that in the NWW there are some fleets which provide significant levels of employment and seem to be very dependent on the species that will be regulated through the MAP proposals. Nevertheless, there are a number of fleets in the NWW area that are not included in the employment analysis because of an absence of appropriate data. .Regarding the number and scope of MAPs as currently defined, STECF considers that a MAP covering a wider geographic area has advantages in terms of reducing management overheads and avoiding multiple regulations affecting the sector. A larger MAP area however, may have disadvantages associated with reducing the emphasis on local management measures and this may discourage the involvement of stakeholders, although this effect will depend on how the process of regionalization operates within the MAP. To evaluate the question of whether management of the species that drive the fisheries adequately allows for the management of by-catch species, the EWG carried out an analysis of correlations between catches of driver species identified in the plan and a variety of by-catch species. The analysis suggested only limited correlation. In view of this, the STECF notes that it is unlikely that relying on the TAC of the driver species to manage other species will be effective, in accordance with CFP requirements. STECF however notes that when analysis was performed at the fleet level, there were more obvious correlations, suggesting some scope to use fleet related management measures for the driver species as a way of managing some of the bycatch species. STECF therefore concludes that management of exploitation rates of non-driver (or bycatch) species is unlikely to occur as an automatic consequence of the management of the main (driver) stocks by TAC considered in the MAP.DG MAR

The Deep-Water Red Shrimp Fishery in the Spanish Mediterranean Sea

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