Review of Spanish Discard information of megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) in ICES Sub-areas VI , VII and Div. VIIIabd

Trawlers Spanish discards obtained on board commercial vessels in Sub-areas VI and VII in 1988, 1989, 1994, 1999-200-2004 are present to: 1. Validate the discard estimation of megrim onboard comparing length distribution of retained fish on board with landed fishes. 2. Compare estimation megrim discarded following two methodologies: primary sampling unit as hauls or as fishing trips. Examine possible modification on discards estimations in years where results obtained by different methods were relevant. 3. Analyse possible differences in discard patter along the sampled perio

Preliminary results on Northern hake from the “Spanish Discard Sampling Programme”

The “Spanish Discard Sampling Programme” was started in 1988, however it has not had a continuous implementation in time. Results on Northern hake discard were obtained sampling the Spanish trawl fishery operating in the Northern hake distribution area. Discarding strategy varies between fleets, depending mainly on the target species of the fleet. Differences along the time series were probably due to market changes more than to the abundance of the species. In the years with a higher sampling quality, 2003 and 2004, the total level of Northern hake discard was estimated to be around 5% in weight and between 11-15% in number, respectively. Discards were compounded by ages from 0 to 3, mainly ages 1 and 2

Exposure to particulate matter: direct and indirect role in the COVID-19 pandemic

Knowing the transmission factors and the natural environment that favor the spread of a viral infection is crucial to stop outbreaks and develop effective preventive strategies. This work aims to evaluate the role of Particulate Matter (PM) in the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing especially on that of PM as a vector for SARS-CoV-2. Exposure to PM has been related to new cases and to the clinical severity of people infected by SARS-CoV-2, which can be explained by the oxidative stress and the inflammatory response generated by these particles when entering the respiratory system, as well as by the role of PM in the expression of ACE-2 in respiratory cells in human hosts. In addition, different authors have detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in PM sampled both in outdoor and indoor environments. The results of various studies lead to the hypothesis that the aerosols emitted by an infected person could be deposited in other suspended particles, sometimes of natural but especially of anthropogenic origin, that form the basal PM. However, the viability of the virus in PM has not yet been demonstrated. Should PM be confirmed as a vector of transmission, prevention strategies ought to be adapted, and PM sampling in outdoor environments could become an indicator of viral load in a specific area.“This work has been carried out within the framework of the project “Air pollution and COVID-19: what can we learn from this pandemic?” of the Call for Grants from the BBVA Foundation to Scientific Research Teams in SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, in the area of Ecology and Veterinary Medicine

Genetic connectivity and hybridization with its siter species challenge the current management paradigm of white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius)

Understanding the inter and intraspecific dynamics of fish populations is essential to promote effective management and conservation actions and to predict adaptation to changing conditions. This is possible through the analysis of thousands of genetic markers, which has proven useful to resolve connectivity among populations. Here, we have tackled this issue in the white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius), which inhabits the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea and coexists with its morphologically almost identical sister species, the black anglerfish (L. budegassa). Our genetic analyses based on 16,000 SNP markers and 700 samples reveal that i) the white anglerfish from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean are genetically isolated, but that no differentiation can be observed within the later, and that ii) black and white anglerfish naturally hybridize, resulting in a population of about 20% of, most likely sterile, hybrids in some areas. These findings challenge the current paradigm of white anglerfish management, which considers three independent management units within the North East Atlantic and assumes that all mature fish have reproductive potential. Additionally, the northwards distribution of both species, likely due to temperature raises, calls for further monitoring of the abundance and distribution of hybrids to anticipate the effects of climate change in the interactions between both species and their potential resilience

Mixed-fisheries advice for ICES WGHMM stocks

This WD summarizes the state of the art regarding mixed-fisheries advice in WGHMM, since one of its tasks this year was to discuss the extension of the mixed-fisheries approach in WGHMM stocks and areas. After reviewing the development of the mixed-fisheries approach in other areas and also the characteristics of the current mixed-fisheries forecast methodology (Fcube), it is concluded that the first step should be focused on the WGHMM Southern stocks, which are exploited in Iberian Peninsula waters (ICES Div. VIIIc and IXa). Most of them present accepted assessment, providing the biological parameters required by Fcube. Making assumptions for those stocks without analytical assessment, up to twelve stocks could be included, i.e. 5 stocks of demersal fish (Southern stocks of hake, megrim, 4-spot megrim, white and black anglerfish) and 7 Functional Units of Nephrops (FU25-31)