MEDITS-based information on the deep water red shrimps Aristaeomorpha foliacea and Aristeus antennatus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Aristeidae)

Special Volume: Mediterranean marine demersal resources: the Medits international trawl survey (1994-1999)The application of statistical models on a time series of data arising from the MEDITS International Trawl Survey, an experimental demersal resources survey carried out during six years (1994-1999) in the same season of the year (late spring - early summer) using the same fishing gear in a large part of the Mediterranean, has allowed for a study to compare, for the first time, the space-time distribution, abundance, and size structure of the two Aristeids Aristaeomorpha foliacea and Aristeus antennatus throughout most of the Mediterranean Sea. This research has shown a large variability among the six reference areas, that were arbitrarily defined within the basin. In particular the two shrimps do not seem to present any correlation or yield continuity in the years. The same lack of homogeneity was also observed in the time trend of the abundances and frequencies of each of the two species. These data seem to confirm the intrinsic variability of the species, the cause of which is still unknown and undocumented. Nevertheless, a longitudinal gradient of catches has been observed where A. antennatus is more abundant in the west and A. foliacea in the east of the basinVersión del editor1,006

Large pelagic fish, swordfish, bluefin and small tunas, in the Ligurian Sea: biological characteristics and fishery trends.

This article presents a review and summary of the data on large pelagic fish, collected over the period 1990\u20132007, thanks to national and European Community research programmes. Swordfish are present in the Ligurian Sea at all life history stages. Time series of longline fishing catch per unit effort (CPUE) values showa good exploitation status, possibly related to the dismission of past questionable fishing technics (e.g. \u2018spadare\u2019 nets). CPUE values were also negatively related to North Atlantic oscillation: climatic factors probably had synergic effects. Bluefin is present in the Ligurian Sea with mainly schools of young fish aged 1\u20134 years, which feed on small pelagic fish and on the Ligurian krill Meganyctiphanes norvegica. Recent limitations on catches have severely reduced local fishing activities. Following the dismission of purse seiners, artisanal hook-based fisheries should be maintained, regardless of the length of fish caught, as a way of monitoring stock status. The two most abundant species of small tuna, Sarda sarda and Auxis rochei rochei, are present in the Ligurian Sea at all life stages. In particular, Auxis rochei rochei is a commercially neglected species which, in terms of larval occurrence, is the most abundant in the Mediterranean. Physiomorphological and genetic studies have been recently carried out in order to improve forthcoming exploitation

Growth in length and weight and mercury content in small fattened Bluefin Tuna

In areas where detailed information on wild young bluefin tuna growth is available, the growth performances of fattened specimens of the same age can be estimated. The present study described growth rates and mercury and cadmium content of 3 - 4 years old tuna, caged in the Tyrrhenian Sea