2-D optical quantification of particle reworking activities in marine surface sediments

Particle and solute transport by faunal activities may significantly influence rates and pathways of organic matter mineralization during early diagenesis in surface sediments. One of the most frequently utilized techniques to quantify benthic biological reworking activities involves the calculation of a biodiffusion coefficient (Db) estimated from model predictions of 1-D tracer distribution patterns. This technique is labor-intensive and time-demanding. Furthermore, it is normally used for measurements over several days and averages overall transport mechanisms from 3-D to 1-D on a cm scale. In the frame of this work, we developed a new technique based on the nondestructive screening of fluorescent particles (luminophores) using optical discrimination and CCD camera detection of fluorescence (2-D). At a site characterized by a dense population of the brittle star Amphiura filiformis and a high biodiffusion coefficient (obtained from 1-D distributions; Db=35.5±3.7 cm−2 year−1; n=3), the optical reworking coefficient (ORC), estimated from the 2-D luminophore distribution patterns, was calculated (ORC=27.4±9.1 View the MathML source cm−2 h−1; n=24). A nondestructive 2-D approach to quantify particle reworking may provide a powerful and complementary tool to further understand particle transport by the benthic fauna in surface sediments. The optical technique for 2-D detection of luminophores is relatively fast and easy to perform, with the ability to detect small scale (mm) particle movements on a time resolution of minutes or less

A no-take zone and partially protected areas are not enough to save the Kattegat cod, but enhance biomass and abundance of the local fish assemblage

To supplement catch and effort regulations with the purpose to rebuild the cod (Gadus morhua) stock in Kattegat, Sweden and Denmark established a large (426 km(2)) year-round no-take zone (NTZ) surrounded by partially protected areas (PPAs) in 2009. The purpose of these spatial regulations was to prohibit cod fishing on the spawning grounds and to displace fisheries bycatch of cod from areas where mature cod aggregate in the Kattegat. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the established NTZ and PPAs on the local fish assemblage, including cod. Based on a spatially high-resolution bottom trawl survey in the Kattegat (covering 2008-2021), multivariate analyses revealed significant shifts in the fish assemblage. A closer analysis indicated that six to seven fish species, including cod increased in the NTZ relative to control areas depending on if abundance or biomass was used as dependent variable. Univariate analysis showed that two flatfish species dab (Limanda limanda) and lemon sole (Microstomus kitt), and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) significantly increased in biomass in the NTZ, and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in the PPA relative to the control areas. These results suggest that the NTZ protected even relatively mobile species in an open sea system, such as the Kattegat. However, neither cod abundance nor biomass showed a significant increase as an effect of the NTZ and PPA despite two relatively strong year classes in 2012 and 2013, which possibly would have helped the recovery of the cod stock. As assessed by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea in 2022, Kattegat cod continuously suffer from being severely overfished with low recruitment, and high discard rates in the mixed N. norvegicus fishery, is considered the major driver behind the reinforced depletion of the stock

A no-take zone and partially protected areas are not enough to save the Kattegat cod, but enhance biomass and abundance of the local fish assemblage

To supplement catch and effort regulations with the purpose to rebuild the cod (Gadus morhua) stock in Kattegat, Sweden and Denmark established a large (426 km(2)) year-round no-take zone (NTZ) surrounded by partially protected areas (PPAs) in 2009. The purpose of these spatial regulations was to prohibit cod fishing on the spawning grounds and to displace fisheries bycatch of cod from areas where mature cod aggregate in the Kattegat. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the established NTZ and PPAs on the local fish assemblage, including cod. Based on a spatially high-resolution bottom trawl survey in the Kattegat (covering 2008-2021), multivariate analyses revealed significant shifts in the fish assemblage. A closer analysis indicated that six to seven fish species, including cod increased in the NTZ relative to control areas depending on if abundance or biomass was used as dependent variable. Univariate analysis showed that two flatfish species dab (Limanda limanda) and lemon sole (Microstomus kitt), and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) significantly increased in biomass in the NTZ, and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in the PPA relative to the control areas. These results suggest that the NTZ protected even relatively mobile species in an open sea system, such as the Kattegat. However, neither cod abundance nor biomass showed a significant increase as an effect of the NTZ and PPA despite two relatively strong year classes in 2012 and 2013, which possibly would have helped the recovery of the cod stock. As assessed by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea in 2022, Kattegat cod continuously suffer from being severely overfished with low recruitment, and high discard rates in the mixed N. norvegicus fishery, is considered the major driver behind the reinforced depletion of the stock

STRENGTHENING REGIONAL COOPERATION IN FISHERIES DATA COLLECTION

fishPi was a research project with the aim of “Strengthening regional cooperation in the area of fisheries data collection”. The project brought together over 40 experts from 13 scientific institutes in 12 countries (10 member states (MS)) and two internationally recognised survey design experts. It was funded by EU MARE grant MARE/2014/19, with a 14 month timeline commencing in April 2015. This project has trialled the way sampling designs would be developed in a regional setting and showed that collaboration and consultation is required at face to face meetings through regional groups that focus on a particular group of fisheries. The project was the first step in this process and one of the main outcomes is the framework to take the process forward; developing data formats, data sharing agreements and easily accessible software for data sharing, checking and analysis, and for the simulation testing of sampling designs.European Unio

Working Group on Governance of the Regional Database & Estimation System (WGRDBES-GOV; Outputs from 2020 meeting)

The Working Group on Governance of the Regional Database & Estimation System (WGRDBESGOV) provides the governance function for both the existing Regional Database (RDB) and the new Regional Database & Estimation System (RDBES) that is currently in development. It is composed of representatives from ICES member countries and EU Regional Coordination Groups (RCGs). In this report, the WGRDBESGOV reviews the RDBES developments performed during 2020 and plans for the work required in 2021 and beyond. It also considers how RDB data has been used and proposes changes required to the current Data Policy. The RDBES is currently planned to replace both the existing ICES InterCatch and RDB database systems and has an important part to play in increasing transparency and improving the quality of stock assessment within ICES. To this end, two workshops have been planned for 2021 which will help data submitters with the transition to the new system. A new working group is also proposed to enable the ICES community to move forward with estimation using the RDBES data model. Following on from the data call issued in 2020, another test data call is also planned for 2021 which will give further motivation for people to become involved and provide a robust test of the process. The RDB and RDBES must ensure that data can be used by the RCGs and authorised groups in ICES whilst ensuring that only permitted users have access to the confidential data – the rules relating to this have previously been defined in the RDB Data Policy. In line with discussions at the ICES Data and Information Group (DIG), it is proposed to split the current Data Policy into two new documents: a Data License, and a Data Governance document. It is important to remember that the ultimate success of the RDBES will rely on the effort and contributions from a large number of people in the wider ICES/EU data collection community and not just the relatively small groups who attend the WGRDBESGOV or Core Group meetings. The WGRDBESGOV continues to encourage these contributions

Report of the Regional Co-ordination Meeting for the North Sea and Eastern Arctic (RCM NS&EA) 2014

Report of the Regional Co-ordination Meeting for the North Sea and Eastern Arctic (RCM NS&EA) 2014 Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences (SLU Aqua) Lysekil, Sweden 08-12 September 2014The RCM NS&EA met in Lysekil (Sweden) between 8-12 September 2014. The main purpose of the RCM is coordinate the National Programmes (NP) of the Member States (MS) in the North Sea region for 2015

Report of the Regional Co-ordination Meeting for the North Sea and Eastern Arctic (RCM NS&EA) 2013

Report of the Regional Co-ordination Meeting for the North Sea and Eastern Arctic (RCM NS&EA) 2013 final report European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) Vigo, Spain 09/09/2013-13/09/2013The Regional Coordination Meeting for the North Sea & Eastern Arctic (RCM NS&EA) was held in September 2013 in Vigo (Spain). The main task of the RCM’s is to coordinate the National Programmes (NP), which propose the national data collection to be carried out by the Member States (MS) under the EU Data Collection Framework (DCF). It was envisaged that, from 2104 onwards, data collection by the MS would be carried out under a new framework (DC-MAP). However, the legislation for this framework is not ready yet. Therefore the Commission has decided to extend the present DCF for the time being and the most recent NPs have been adopted for 2014. Since these NP have been adopted without any changes, there is no need for major coordinatio