scholarly journals Dutch seafloor litter monitoring in the North Sea : International Bottom Trawl Survey 2019

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf van Hal ◽  
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Bottom Trawl ◽  
Trawl Survey ◽  
Bottom Trawl Survey ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea

scholarly journals Dutch seafloor litter monitoring in the North Sea : International Bottom Trawl Survey 2020

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joey Volwater ◽  
◽  
Ralf van Hal
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Bottom Trawl ◽  
Trawl Survey ◽  
Bottom Trawl Survey ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea

scholarly journals Evaluation of sampling strategies for age determination of cod (Gadus morhua) sampled at the North Sea International Bottom Trawl Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 859-869
Author(s):  
N O A S Jourdain ◽  
O Breivik ◽  
E Fuglebakk ◽  
S Aanes ◽  
J H Vølstad
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Length Distribution ◽  
Bottom Trawl ◽  
Trawl Survey ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Trawl Surveys

Abstract The North Sea cod stock assessment is based on indices of abundance-at-age from fishery-independent bottom trawl surveys. The age structure of the catch is estimated by sampling fish for otoliths collection in a length-stratified manner from trawl hauls. Since age determination of fish is costly and time consuming, only a fraction of fish is sampled for age from a larger sample of the length distribution and an age–length key (ALK) is then used to obtain the age distribution. In this study, we evaluate ALK estimators for calculating the indices of abundance-at-age, with and without the assumption of constant age–length structures over relatively large areas. We show that the ALK estimators give similar point estimates of abundance-at-age and yield similar performance with respect to precision. We also quantify the uncertainty of indices of abundance and examine the effect of reducing the number of fish sampled for age determination on precision. For various subsampling strategies of otoliths collection, we show that one fish per 5-cm-length group width per trawl haul is sufficient and the total number of fish subsampled for age from trawl surveys could be reduced by at least half (50%) without appreciable loss in precision.

scholarly journals Spatial interactions between saithe (Pollachius virens) and hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the North Sea

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 1342-1355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xochitl Cormon ◽  
Christophe Loots ◽  
Sandrine Vaz ◽  
Youen Vermard ◽  
Paul Marchal
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Trawl Survey ◽  
Spatial Interactions ◽  
Merluccius Merluccius ◽  
The North ◽  
Sediment Types ◽  
The North Sea

Spatial interactions between saithe (Pollachius virens) and hake (Merluccius merluccius) were investigated in the North Sea. Saithe is a well-established species in the North Sea, while occurrence of the less common hake has recently increased in the area. Spatial dynamics of these two species and their potential spatial interactions were explored using binomial generalized linear models (GLM) applied to the International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS) data from 1991 to 2012. Models included different types of variables: (i) abiotic variables including sediment types, temperature, and bathymetry; (ii) biotic variables including potential competitors and potential preys presence; and (iii) spatial variables. The models were reduced and used to predict and map probable habitats of saithe, hake but also, for the first time in the North Sea, the distribution of the spatial overlap between these two species. Changes in distribution patterns of these two species and of their overlap were also investigated by comparing species’ presence and overlap probabilities predicted over an early (1991–1996) and a late period (2007–2012). The results show an increase in the probability over time of the overlap between saithe and hake along with an expansion towards the southwest and Scottish waters. These shifts follow trends observed in temperature data and might be indirectly induced by climate changes. Saithe, hake, and their overlap are positively influenced by potential preys and/or competitors, which confirms spatial co-occurrence of the species concerned and leads to the questions of predator–prey relationships and competition. Finally, the present study provides robust predictions concerning the spatial distribution of saithe, hake, and of their overlap in the North Sea, which may be of interest for fishery managers.

scholarly journals Opportunistically recorded acoustic data support Northeast Atlantic mackerel expansion theory

2015 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 1115-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen van der Kooij ◽  
Sascha M.M. Fässler ◽  
David Stephens ◽  
Lisa Readdy ◽  
Beth E. Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Trawl Survey ◽  
Northeast Atlantic ◽  
Acoustic Data ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Northern North Sea ◽  
Feeding Grounds

Abstract Fisheries independent monitoring of widely distributed pelagic fish species which conduct large seasonal migrations is logistically complex and expensive. One of the commercially most important examples of such a species in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean is mackerel for which up to recently only an international triennial egg survey contributed to the stock assessment. In this study, we explore whether fisheries acoustic data, recorded opportunistically during the English component of the North Sea International Bottom Trawl Survey, can contribute to an improved understanding of mackerel distribution and provide supplementary data to existing dedicated monitoring surveys. Using a previously published multifrequency acoustic mackerel detection algorithm, we extracted the distribution and abundance of schooling mackerel for the whole of the North Sea during August and September between 2007 and 2013. The spatio-temporal coverage of this unique dataset is of particular interest because it includes part of the unsurveyed summer mackerel feeding grounds in the northern North Sea. Recent increases in landings in Icelandic waters during this season suggested that changes have occurred in the mackerel feeding distribution. Thus far it is poorly understood whether these changes are due to a shift, i.e. mackerel moving away from their traditional feeding grounds in the northern North Sea and southern Norwegian Sea, or whether the species' distribution has expanded. We therefore explored whether acoustically derived biomass of schooling mackerel declined in the northern North Sea during the study period, which would suggest a shift in mackerel distribution rather than an expansion. The results of this study show that in the North Sea, schooling mackerel abundance has increased and that its distribution in this area has not changed over this period. Both of these findings provide, to our knowledge, the first evidence in support of the hypothesis that mackerel have expanded their distribution rather than moved away.

Spatial and temporal dynamics of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the North Sea

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 2033-2044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arved Staby ◽  
Jon Egil Skjæraasen ◽  
Audrey J Geffen ◽  
Daniel Howell
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Trawl Survey ◽  
Merluccius Merluccius ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Northern North Sea ◽  
Central North Sea ◽  
European Hake

Abstract Catches of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the North Sea have increased substantially during the last decade, even though there is no directed commercial fishery of hake in this area. We analysed the spatial distributions of hake in the northern the parts of its range, (where it is less well-studied), using ICES international bottom trawl survey data from 1997 to 2015. We examine length-frequency distributions for (i) distinct modes enabling the assignment of fish into categories which likely corresponded to the ages 1, 2, and 3+ and (ii) patterns of seasonal spatial distribution for the different groups. Age categories 1 and 2 fish were most abundant in the northern North Sea, and appear to remain in the North Sea until 2 years of age, when they move into deeper waters. Their distribution has expanded into the western-central North Sea in the last decade. Age category 3+ fish were most abundant in the northern and central North Sea during summer, indicating a seasonal influx of large individuals into this area likely associated with spawning activity. The distribution of these older fish has gradually expanded westward in both seasons.

scholarly journals Modelling potential impacts of bottom trawl fisheries on soft sediment biogeochemistry in the North Sea†

2001 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E Duplisea ◽  
Simon Jennings ◽  
Stephen J Malcolm ◽  
Ruth Parker ◽  
David B Sivyer
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Bottom Trawl ◽  
Soft Sediment ◽  
The North ◽  
Sediment Biogeochemistry ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Trawl Fisheries

scholarly journals Do Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) die from spawning stress? Mortality of Norway pout in relation to growth, sexual maturity, and density in the North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Rasmus Nielsen ◽  
Gwladys Lambert ◽  
Francois Bastardie ◽  
Henrik Sparholt ◽  
Morten Vinther
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Trawl Survey ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Fishing Activity ◽  
The North ◽  
Spawning Areas ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
New Evidence

Abstract Nielsen, J. R., Lambert, G., Bastardie, F., Sparholt, H., and Vinther, M. 2012. Do Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) die from spawning stress? Mortality of Norway pout in relation to growth, sexual maturity, and density in the North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 197–207. The mortality patterns of Norway pout (NP) are not well understood. It has been suggested that NP undergo heavy spawning mortality, and this paper summarizes and provides new evidence in support of this hypothesis. The very low–absent fishing activity in recent years provides a unique opportunity to analyse the natural life-history traits of cohorts in the NP stock in the North Sea. Based on the ICES trawl survey abundance indices, cohort mortality is found to significantly increase with age. We argue that this cannot be explained by selectiveness in the fishery, potential size-specific migrations out of the area, higher predation pressure on older individuals, or differences in survey catchability by NP age from before to after spawning and that it is higher in the main spawning areas than outside. We found that natural mortality (M) is significantly correlated with sexual maturity, sex, growth, and intraspecific stock density. All of this is consistent with a greater mortality occurring mainly from the first to the second quarter of the year, i.e. spawning mortality, which is discussed as being a major direct and indirect cause of stock mortality.

scholarly journals Ecotypes as a concept for exploring responses to climate change in fish assemblages

2010 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 580-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg H. Engelhard ◽  
Jim R. Ellis ◽  
Mark R. Payne ◽  
Remment ter Hofstede ◽  
John K. Pinnegar
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Trophic Level ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Trawl Survey ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Increasing Trends ◽  
Sea Fish

Abstract Engelhard, G. H., Ellis, J. R., Payne, M. R., ter Hofstede, R., and Pinnegar, J. K. 2011. Ecotypes as a concept for exploring responses to climate change in fish assemblages. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: . How do species-rich fish assemblages respond to climate change or to other anthropogenic or environmental drivers? To explore this, a categorization concept is presented whereby species are assigned with respect to six ecotype classifications, according to biogeography, horizontal and vertical habitat preference, trophic guild, trophic level, or body size. These classification schemes are termed ecotypology, and the system is applied to fish in the North Sea using International Bottom Trawl Survey data. Over the period 1977–2008, there were changes in the North Sea fish community that can be related to fish ecotypes. Broadly speaking, there were steady increases in abundance of species that were either Lusitanian, small-bodied, or low-/mid-trophic-level ecotypes, and generally declining or only marginally increasing trends of most Boreal, large-bodied, or high-trophic-level ecotypes or combinations of them. The post-1989 warm biological regime appears to have favoured pelagic species more than demersal species. These community-level patterns agree with the expected responses of ecotypes to climate change and also with anticipated vulnerability to fishing pressure.

Cumulative impacts of seabed trawl disturbance on benthic biomass, production, and species richness in different habitats

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 721-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
J G Hiddink ◽  
S Jennings ◽  
M J Kaiser ◽  
A M Queirós ◽  
D E Duplisea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Benthic Fauna ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Bottom Trawl ◽  
The North ◽  
Benthic Biomass ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
The Impact

Bottom trawling causes widespread disturbance of sediments in shelf seas and can have a negative impact on benthic fauna. We conducted a large-scale assessment of bottom trawl fishing of benthic fauna in different habitats, using a theoretical, size-based model that included habitat features. Species richness was estimated based on a generalized body mass versus species richness relationship. The model was validated by sampling 33 stations subject to a range of trawling intensities in four shallow, soft sediment areas in the North Sea. Both the model and the field data demonstrated that trawling reduced biomass, production, and species richness. The impacts of trawling were greatest in areas with low levels of natural disturbance, while the impact of trawling was small in areas with high rates of natural disturbance. For the North Sea, the model showed that the bottom trawl fleet reduced benthic biomass and production by 56% and 21%, respectively, compared with an unfished situation. Because of the many simplifications and assumptions required to synthesize these data, additional work is required to refine the model and evaluate applicability in other geographic areas. Our model enables managers to understand the consequences of altering the distribution of fishing activities on benthic production and hence on food web processes.

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