We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Pelacus 0315- Cruise Report
AI summary Read the abstract
This cruise report documents the PELACUS 0315 acoustic-trawl survey aboard R/V Miguel Oliver in northern Spanish Atlantic waters (including the Bay of Biscay) in March-April 2015, covering acoustic surveys, fish egg counting, microplastic sampling, and apex predator observations. The survey provides fisheries assessment data for northern Spanish waters alongside environmental monitoring of microplastic presence.
The Spanish acoustic-trawl times PELACUS 0315 was carried out on board R/V Miguel Oliver from 14th March to 14th April, covering the north Spanish waters (Atlantic and Bay of Biscay) from the coast to the 1000 m isobath on a systematic grid with tracks 8 nmi apart and equally spaced. Acoustic , fishing stations, fish egg counting, microplastic, and apical predators observations were done during daytime whilst the oceanographic characterisation was done during night time. A total of 3979 nautical miles were steamed, 1190 corresponding to the survey track. Besides, 66 fishing stations were performed. PELACUS 0315 was characterised by a relative high strength of NE winds which led to change the survey sampling schedule. The area is typically covered continuously from the Spanish/Portuguese border to the French/Spanish one, but due to the wind the NW corner was steamed from the north-eastern part to the south-western one and also in the Cantabrian Sea, the inner part (i.e. Euskadi) was covered westward. Besides, this weather condition, together with the change in the strategy, would have been affected the mackerel fish distribution and abundance estimates: this was the first time in the time series that adult mackerel occurred in high quantities in IXaN while VIIIc-West was almost empty. Nevertheless, as compared with the biomass assessed in 2014 when the weather conditions were better and the therefore the stability would have increased the mackerel availability either for a change in the behaviour (i.e. spatial pattern distribution) or for an increase in the food availability, the estimated biomass in 2015 was lower. On the other hand, the increase in horse mackerel observed in 2014 was corroborated this year. In the case of anchovy, although during 2014 an important amount of new juveniles (young of the year) were detected during the JUVENA survey undertook in September in the Cantabrian waters, the anchovy distribution found at PELACUS was scarce in this area. During PELACUS 0315 blue whiting has been observed performing nictimeral migration towards the surface. This is the first time this movement has been recorded and described.
More Papers Like This
Pelacus 0314 Cruise Report
AI summary Read the abstract
A multidisciplinary marine survey of Spanish Atlantic and Bay of Biscay waters recorded acoustic biomass estimates, fish egg counts, and microplastic observations across 52 fishing stations. Despite generally increased fish biomass compared to the prior year, sardine productivity remained at record lows.
Microplastic ingestion by Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in the North and central Moroccan Atlantic coast between Larache (35°30′N) and Boujdour (26°30′N)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that Atlantic horse mackerel along the Moroccan Atlantic coast had ingested polyamide, acrylic, and polystyrene microplastics, mapping the spatial distribution of contamination across a 900 km stretch of coastline.
Contamination from microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in the digestive tracts of the commercial species Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the presence of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in the digestive tracts of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) sampled along the continental shelf of Spain, finding bioaccumulation of particles across these commercially important fish species with implications for food web contamination and human health.
Contamination from microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in the digestive tracts of the commercial species Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the presence of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in the digestive tracts of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) sampled along the continental shelf of Spain, finding bioaccumulation of particles across these commercially important fish species with implications for food web contamination and human health.
First observation on neustonic plastics in waters off NW Spain (spring 2013 and 2014)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the first survey of plastic particles in surface waters off the northwest coast of Spain over two years, finding plastic microparticles at 95% of sampling stations. The baseline data will help implement the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive's monitoring requirements for marine litter in this region.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.