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Curnick DJ, Deaville R, Bortoluzzi JR, Cameron L, Carlsson JEL, Carlsson J, Dolton HR, Gordon CA, Hosegood P, Nilsson A, Perkins MW, Purves KJ, Spiro S, Vecchiato M, Williams RS, Payne NL. Northerly range expansion and first confirmed records of the smalltooth sand tiger shark, Odontaspis ferox, in the United Kingdom and Ireland. J Fish Biol 2023; 103:1549-1555. [PMID: 37602958 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Three Odontaspis ferox (confirmed by mtDNA barcoding) were found in the English Channel and Celtic Sea in 2023 at Lepe, UK (50.7846, -1.3508), Kilmore Quay, Ireland (52.1714, -6.5937), and Lyme Bay, UK (50.6448, -2.9302). These are the first records of O. ferox in either country, and extend the species' range by over three degrees of latitude, to >52° N. They were ~275 (female), 433 (female), and 293 cm (male) total length, respectively. These continue a series of new records, possibly indicative of a climate change-induced shift in the species' range.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Curnick
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Rob Deaville
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Jenny R Bortoluzzi
- Discipline of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Luke Cameron
- Discipline of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jeanette E L Carlsson
- Area 52 Research Group, School of Biology & Environmental Science/Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jens Carlsson
- Area 52 Research Group, School of Biology & Environmental Science/Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Haley R Dolton
- Discipline of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cat A Gordon
- The Shark Trust, 4 Creykes Court, The Millfields, Plymouth, UK
| | - Phil Hosegood
- School of Biological & Marine Science, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, UK
| | - Alicia Nilsson
- Area 52 Research Group, School of Biology & Environmental Science/Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Kevin J Purves
- Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon Spiro
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Marco Vecchiato
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Nicholas L Payne
- Discipline of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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2
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Barry J, Rindorf A, Gago J, Silburn B, McGoran A, Russell J. Top 10 marine litter items on the seafloor in European seas from 2012 to 2020. Sci Total Environ 2023; 902:165997. [PMID: 37536608 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
We studied the ten most frequently encountered litter items from the seafloor in European seas to advance actions and inform future mitigation measures to reduce marine litter and the associated social, economic and environmental impacts it has on European seas and beyond. Data were collected during trawl surveys from 2012 to 2020 as part of national and regional marine litter monitoring programmes in the Greater North Sea (5652 trawls), Celtic Seas (3505), Bay of Biscay (651), and Baltic Sea (3688). A Bayesian approach is used to quantify the variation in the item rankings. Overall, plastic items predominate in the top positions in each area. Synthetic rope, plastic sheets, monofilament fishing line and plastic bags occupy four of the top five positions for each of the Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas and the Bay of Biscay. Items from fishing and rope (representing mainly other maritime activities) are strongly represented in the top ten lists from three of our four areas, with synthetic rope, fishing nets, and tangled and untangled monofilament fishing line listed in the top seven positions for the Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas and the Bay of Biscay. The top ten items in the Baltic Sea are of a different profile to the other regions, but the most commonly caught items are still predominantly plastic, with plastic sheets, other plastic items and plastic bags occupying three of the top four positions. The findings in this study highlight the need to address sea-based sources to try and eliminate litter from fishing and maritime activities. Measures such as improved port reception facilities, marking of fishing gear, promoting reporting of the loss of fishing gear and increasing public awareness should be introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Barry
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Anna Rindorf
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Jesus Gago
- Centro Nacional-IEO (CSIC) Vigo, Subida a Radio Faro 50, 36390 Vigo, Spain
| | - Briony Silburn
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Alex McGoran
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Josie Russell
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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3
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Amelot M, Robert M, Mouchet M, Kopp D. Boreal and Lusitanian species display trophic niche variation in temperate waters. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10744. [PMID: 38020684 PMCID: PMC10659821 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change has non-linear impacts on species distributions and abundance that have cascading effects on ecosystem structure and function. Among them are shifts in trophic interactions within communities. Sites found at the interface between two or more biogeographical regions, where species with diverse thermal preferenda are assembled, are areas of strong interest to study the impact of climate change on communities' interactions. This study examined variation in trophic structure in the Celtic Sea, a temperate environment that hosts a mixture of cold-affiliated Boreal species and warm-affiliated Lusitanian species. Using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios, trophic niche area, width, and position were investigated for 10 abundant and commercially important demersal fish species across space and time. In general, the niches of Boreal species appear to be contracting while those of Lusitanian species expand, although there are some fluctuations among species. These results provide evidence that trophic niches can undergo rapid modifications over short time periods (study duration: 2014-2021) and that this process may be conditioned by species thermal preferenda. Boreal species displayed spatial variation in trophic niche width and seem to be facing increased competition with Lusitanian species for food resources. These findings underscore the need to utilize indicators related to species trophic ecology to track the ecosystem alterations induced by climate change. Such indicators could reveal that the vulnerability of temperate ecosystems is currently being underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Amelot
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la ConservationUMR 7204 MNHN‐CNRS‐ Sorbonne Université, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle de ParisParisFrance
- UMR DECOD (Ecosystem Dynamics and Sustainability)IFREMER, INRAE, Institut AgroPlouzaneFrance
| | - Marianne Robert
- UMR DECOD (Ecosystem Dynamics and Sustainability)IFREMER, INRAE, Institut AgroPlouzaneFrance
| | - Maud Mouchet
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la ConservationUMR 7204 MNHN‐CNRS‐ Sorbonne Université, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle de ParisParisFrance
| | - Dorothée Kopp
- UMR DECOD (Ecosystem Dynamics and Sustainability)IFREMER, INRAE, Institut AgroPlouzaneFrance
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4
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Skujina I, Hooper C, Bass D, Feist SW, Bateman KS, Villalba A, Carballal MJ, Iglesias D, Cao A, Ward GM, Ryder DRG, Bignell JP, Kerr R, Ross S, Hazelgrove R, Macarie NA, Prentice M, King N, Thorpe J, Malham SK, McKeown NJ, Ironside JE. Discovery of the parasite Marteilia cocosarum sp. nov. In common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) fisheries in Wales, UK and its comparison with Marteilia cochillia. J Invertebr Pathol 2022; 192:107786. [PMID: 35700790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2022.107786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Diseases of bivalve molluscs caused by paramyxid parasites of the genus Marteilia have been linked to mass mortalities and the collapse of commercially important shellfish populations. Until recently, no Marteilia spp. have been detected in common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) populations in the British Isles. Molecular screening of cockles from ten sites on the Welsh coast indicates that a Marteilia parasite is widespread in Welsh C. edule populations, including major fisheries. Phylogenetic analysis of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene sequences from this parasite indicates that it is a closely related but different species to Marteilia cochillia, a parasite linked to mass mortality of C. edule fisheries in Spain, and that both are related to Marteilia octospora, for which we provide new rDNA sequence data. Preliminary light and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations support this conclusion, indicating that the parasite from Wales is located primarily within areas of inflammation in the gills and the connective tissue of the digestive gland, whereas M. cochillia is found mainly within the epithelium of the digestive gland. The impact of infection by the new species, here described as Marteilia cocosarum n. sp., upon Welsh fisheries is currently unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilze Skujina
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
| | - Chantelle Hooper
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK
| | - David Bass
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK; Sustainable Aquaculture Futures, Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter UK; Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Stephen W Feist
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK
| | - Kelly S Bateman
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK
| | - Antonio Villalba
- Centro de Investigacións Mariñas, Vilanova de Arousa, Spain; Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universdad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain; Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Basque Country, Plentzia, Spain
| | | | - David Iglesias
- Centro de Investigacións Mariñas, Vilanova de Arousa, Spain
| | - Asunción Cao
- Centro de Investigacións Mariñas, Vilanova de Arousa, Spain
| | - Georgia M Ward
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - David R G Ryder
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK
| | - John P Bignell
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK
| | - Rose Kerr
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK
| | - Stuart Ross
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK
| | - Richard Hazelgrove
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK
| | - Nicolae A Macarie
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
| | - Melanie Prentice
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
| | - Nathan King
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, UK
| | - Jamie Thorpe
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, UK
| | - Shelagh K Malham
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, UK
| | - Niall J McKeown
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
| | - Joseph E Ironside
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, UK.
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5
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Brown-Vuillemin S, Barreau T, Caraguel JM, Iglésias SP. Trophic ecology and ontogenetic diet shift of the blue skate (Dipturus cf. flossada). J Fish Biol 2020; 97:515-526. [PMID: 32447756 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of skate ecology must be improved to ensure their effective protection. This study represents the first description of diet composition for one of the largest European rajid, the blue skate Dipturus cf. flossada. A total of 346 specimens collected in the Celtic Sea from 2012 to 2015 were analysed for their gut content, with respect to individual total length, maturity stage and sex. Overall, the blue skate diet mainly consisted of shrimps and prawns, crabs and teleost fishes. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling and ANOSIM analyses revealed major ontogenetic shifts in the feeding strategy that were related to size and maturity, but not to sex. Shrimps and prawns, mostly composed of Crangon allmanni, dominated the diet of small and immature individuals, while mod-size skate primarily preyed on crabs. The prevalence of crustaceans decreased with size and maturity, and was gradually replaced by teleost fishes in large mature individuals. A concomitant increase of the trophic level with size revealed that large blue skate become a top predator within the ecosystem. These results highlight the need to include ontogenetic changes in the diet description. As individuals grow and mature, blue skates can play a fundamental role in the structure of the Celtic Sea food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Brown-Vuillemin
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Station Marine de Concarneau, Concarneau, France
| | - Thomas Barreau
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Station Marine de Concarneau, Concarneau, France
| | - Jean-Marie Caraguel
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Station Marine de Concarneau, Concarneau, France
| | - Samuel P Iglésias
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Station Marine de Concarneau, Concarneau, France
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6
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Mérillet L, Kopp D, Robert M, Mouchet M, Pavoine S. Environment outweighs the effects of fishing in regulating demersal community structure in an exploited marine ecosystem. Glob Chang Biol 2020; 26:2106-2119. [PMID: 31883434 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Global climate change has already caused bottom temperatures of coastal marine ecosystems to increase worldwide. These ecosystems face many pressures, of which fishing is one of the most important. While consequences of global warming on commercial species are studied extensively, the importance of the increase in bottom temperature and of variation in fishing effort is more rarely considered together in these exploited ecosystems. Using a 17 year time series from an international bottom trawl survey, we investigated covariations of an entire demersal ecosystem (101 taxa) with the environment in the Celtic Sea. Our results showed that over the past two decades, biotic communities in the Celtic Sea were likely controlled more by environmental variables than fisheries, probably due to its long history of exploitation. At the scale of the entire zone, relations between taxa and the environment remained stable over the years, but at a local scale, in the center of the Celtic Sea, dynamics were probably driven by interannual variation in temperature. Fishing was an important factor structuring species assemblages at the beginning of the time series (2000) but decreased in importance after 2009. This was most likely caused by a change in spatial distribution of fishing effort, following a change in targeted taxa from nephrops to deeper water anglerfish that did not covary with fishing effort. Increasing bottom temperatures could induce additional changes in the coming years, notably in the cold-water commercial species cod, hake, nephrops, and American plaice. We showed that analyzing covariation is an effective way to screen a large number of taxa and highlight those that may be most susceptible to future simultaneous increases in temperature and changes in exploitation pattern by fisheries. This information can be particularly relevant for ecosystem assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurène Mérillet
- UMR 7204 MNHN-UPMC-CNRS, Centre d'Ecologie et de Sciences de la COnservation, Paris, France
- Ifremer, Unité de Sciences et Technologies halieutiques, Laboratoire de Technologie et Biologie Halieutique, Lorient, France
| | - Dorothée Kopp
- Ifremer, Unité de Sciences et Technologies halieutiques, Laboratoire de Technologie et Biologie Halieutique, Lorient, France
| | - Marianne Robert
- Ifremer, Unité de Sciences et Technologies halieutiques, Laboratoire de Technologie et Biologie Halieutique, Lorient, France
| | - Maud Mouchet
- UMR 7204 MNHN-UPMC-CNRS, Centre d'Ecologie et de Sciences de la COnservation, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Pavoine
- UMR 7204 MNHN-UPMC-CNRS, Centre d'Ecologie et de Sciences de la COnservation, Paris, France
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7
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Lamb PD, Hunter E, Pinnegar JK, van der Kooij J, Creer S, Taylor MI. Cryptic diets of forage fish: jellyfish consumption observed in the Celtic Sea and western English Channel. J Fish Biol 2019; 94:1026-1032. [PMID: 30746684 PMCID: PMC6850654 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To establish if fishes' consumption of jellyfish changes through the year, we conducted a molecular gut-content assessment on opportunistically sampled species from the Celtic Sea in October and compared these with samples previously collected in February and March from the Irish Sea. Mackerel Scomber scombrus were found to feed on hydrozoan jellyfish relatively frequently in autumn, with rare consumption also detected in sardine Sardina pilchardus and sprat Sprattus sprattus. By October, moon jellyfish Aurelia aurita appeared to have escaped predation, potentially through somatic growth and the development of stinging tentacles. This is in contrast with sampling in February and March where A. aurita ephyrae were heavily preyed upon. No significant change in predation rate was observed in S. sprattus, but jellyfish predation by S. scombrus feeding in autumn was significantly higher than that seen during winter. This increase in consumption appears to be driven by the consumption of different, smaller jellyfish species than were targeted during the winter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip D. Lamb
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorfolkUK
| | - Ewan Hunter
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorfolkUK
- Cefas, LowestoftSuffolkUK
| | - John K. Pinnegar
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorfolkUK
- Cefas, LowestoftSuffolkUK
| | | | - Simon Creer
- School of Biological SciencesBangor UniversityBangorUK
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8
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O'Neill R, Ó Maoiléidigh N, McGinnity P, Bond N, Culloty S. The novel use of pop-off satellite tags (PSATs) to investigate the migratory behaviour of European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. J Fish Biol 2018; 92:1404-1421. [PMID: 29607514 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A total of 12 adult European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax were tagged with pop-off satellite archival tags (PSAT) in Irish coastal waters and in offshore waters in the north-east Celtic Sea between 2015 and 2016. Archived data were successfully recovered from five of the 12 tags deployed, three from fish released in inshore Irish waters and two from fish released offshore in the eastern Celtic Sea. All three fish tagged in inshore waters were found to undertake migrations into the open ocean coinciding with the spawning period. These fish also exhibited fidelity to inshore sites post-migration, returning to the same general location (within c. 73 km, which is roughly the predicted mean accuracy of the method) of their original release site. Although the number of tracks obtained here was limited, some degree of aggregation between inshore and offshore tagged fish in the eastern Celtic Sea was noted during the expected spawning period suggesting PSATs can provide new information on specific spawning locations of European sea bass.
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Affiliation(s)
- R O'Neill
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland
| | | | - P McGinnity
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - N Bond
- Marine Institute, Furnace, Newport, Co. Mayo, Ireland
| | - S Culloty
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland
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9
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Rault J, Le Bris H, Robert M, Pawlowski L, Denamiel M, Kopp D. Diets and trophic niches of the main commercial fish species from the Celtic Sea. J Fish Biol 2017; 91:1449-1474. [PMID: 29110303 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The characterization and quantification of diets of nine commercially important Celtic Sea fish species (black-bellied angler Lophius budegassa, blue whiting Micromesistius poutassou, Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus, European hake Merluccius merluccius, megrim Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis, European plaice Pleuronectes platessa, common sole Solea solea and whiting Merlangius merlangus) was undertaken November 2014 and November 2015 to gain a better understanding of fish feeding strategies, prey preferences, competition for resources and, more generally, increases knowledge of marine ecosystem functioning. Prey were classified into 39 taxonomic groups. A feeding overlap index and multivariate analyses were used to classify the fishes into four main trophic groups where interspecific competition for resources may be important: piscivorous species, omnivorous species, planktivorous species and invertebrate benthic feeders. Ontogenetic changes in diet were also considered for L. budegassa, G. morhua, M. aeglefinus, M. merluccius and M. merlangus through partitioning into size classes. This revealed an important shift in the diet of M. merluccius from omnivory to piscivory, whereas M. aeglefinus exhibited no significant ontogenetic change in diet, remaining an invertebrate benthic feeder. Feeding strategies of these species were also investigated using the Shannon niche-breadth index and other descriptors, such as the total number of taxonomic groups of prey and the mean number of prey in gut contents.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Rault
- Ifremer, Unité de Sciences et Technologies halieutiques, Laboratoire de Technologie et Biologie Halieutique, 8 rue François Toullec, F-56325, Lorient Cedex, France
| | - H Le Bris
- ESE, Ecology and Ecosystem Health, Agrocampus Ouest, INRA, 35042, Rennes, France
| | - M Robert
- Ifremer, Unité de Sciences et Technologies halieutiques, Laboratoire de Technologie et Biologie Halieutique, 8 rue François Toullec, F-56325, Lorient Cedex, France
| | - L Pawlowski
- Ifremer, Unité de Sciences et Technologies halieutiques, Laboratoire de Technologie et Biologie Halieutique, 8 rue François Toullec, F-56325, Lorient Cedex, France
| | - M Denamiel
- Ifremer, Laboratoire Ressources Halieutiques, F-62321, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France
| | - D Kopp
- Ifremer, Unité de Sciences et Technologies halieutiques, Laboratoire de Technologie et Biologie Halieutique, 8 rue François Toullec, F-56325, Lorient Cedex, France
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10
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Nicolaus EEM, Barry J, Bolam TPC, Lorance P, Marandel F, McCully Phillips SR, Neville S, Ellis JR. Concentrations of mercury and other trace elements in two offshore skates: sandy ray Leucoraja circularis and shagreen ray L. fullonica. Mar Pollut Bull 2017; 123:387-394. [PMID: 28851492 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.08.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Trace metal concentrations in muscle and liver tissues from two offshore species of skate were examined. Concentrations of mercury in muscle of Leucoraja circularis (n=20; 23-110.5cm total length, 157-490m water depth) and L. fullonica (n=24; 28.5-100cm total length, 130-426m water depth) were 0.02-1.8 and 0.04-0.61mgkg-1, respectively. Concentrations of both As and Hg increased with total length. Only the largest specimen had a concentration of Hg in muscle >1.0mgkg-1. Data were limited for specimens>90cm long, and further studies on contaminants in larger-bodied skates could usefully be undertaken.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jon Barry
- Cefas, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Thi P C Bolam
- Cefas, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Pascal Lorance
- IFREMER, Unité Ecologie et Modèles pour l'Halieutique, B.P. 21105, 44311 Nantes Cedex 03, France
| | - Florianne Marandel
- IFREMER, Unité Ecologie et Modèles pour l'Halieutique, B.P. 21105, 44311 Nantes Cedex 03, France
| | | | - Suzanna Neville
- Cefas, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Jim R Ellis
- Cefas, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
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Aldridge JN, Lessin G, Amoudry LO, Hicks N, Hull T, Klar JK, Kitidis V, McNeill CL, Ingels J, Parker ER, Silburn B, Silva T, Sivyer DB, Smith HEK, Widdicombe S, Woodward EMS, van der Molen J, Garcia L, Kröger S. Comparing benthic biogeochemistry at a sandy and a muddy site in the Celtic Sea using a model and observations. Biogeochemistry 2017; 135:155-182. [PMID: 32009696 PMCID: PMC6961523 DOI: 10.1007/s10533-017-0367-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Results from a 1D setup of the European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model (ERSEM) biogeochemical model were compared with new observations collected under the UK Shelf Seas Biogeochemistry (SSB) programme to assess model performance and clarify elements of shelf-sea benthic biogeochemistry and carbon cycling. Observations from two contrasting sites (muddy and sandy) in the Celtic Sea in otherwise comparable hydrographic conditions were considered, with the focus on the benthic system. A standard model parameterisation with site-specific light and nutrient adjustments was used, along with modifications to the within-seabed diffusivity to accommodate the modelling of permeable (sandy) sediments. Differences between modelled and observed quantities of organic carbon in the bed were interpreted to suggest that a large part (>90%) of the observed benthic organic carbon is biologically relatively inactive. Evidence on the rate at which this inactive fraction is produced will constitute important information to quantify offshore carbon sequestration. Total oxygen uptake and oxic layer depths were within the range of the measured values. Modelled depth average pore water concentrations of ammonium, phosphate and silicate were typically 5-20% of observed values at the muddy site due to an underestimate of concentrations associated with the deeper sediment layers. Model agreement for these nutrients was better at the sandy site, which had lower pore water concentrations, especially deeper in the sediment. Comparison of pore water nitrate with observations had added uncertainty, as the results from process studies at the sites indicated the dominance of the anammox pathway for nitrogen removal; a pathway that is not included in the model. Macrofaunal biomasses were overestimated, although a model run with increased macrofaunal background mortality rates decreased macrofaunal biomass and improved agreement with observations. The decrease in macrofaunal biomass was compensated by an increase in meiofaunal biomass such that total oxygen demand remained within the observed range. The permeable sediment modification reproduced some of the observed behaviour of oxygen penetration depth at the sandy site. It is suggested that future development in ERSEM benthic modelling should focus on: (1) mixing and degradation rates of benthic organic matter, (2) validation of benthic faunal biomass against large scale spatial datasets, (3) incorporation of anammox in the benthic nitrogen cycle, and (4) further developments to represent permeable sediment processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. N. Aldridge
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - G. Lessin
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - L. O. Amoudry
- National Oceanography Centre, Joseph Proudman Building, 6 Brownlow Street, Liverpool, L3 5DA UK
| | - N. Hicks
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA UK
| | - T. Hull
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - J. K. Klar
- Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
- LEGOS, University of Toulouse, IRD, CNES, CNRS, UPS, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - V. Kitidis
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - C. L. McNeill
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - J. Ingels
- Coastal and Marine Laboratory, Florida State University, 3618 Coastal Highway 98, St Teresa, 32358 FL USA
| | - E. R. Parker
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - B. Silburn
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - T. Silva
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - D. B. Sivyer
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - H. E. K. Smith
- Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - S. Widdicombe
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - E. M. S. Woodward
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - J. van der Molen
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - L. Garcia
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - S. Kröger
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
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Nicolaus EEM, Bendall VA, Bolam TPC, Maes T, Ellis JR. Concentrations of mercury and other trace elements in porbeagle shark Lamna nasus. Mar Pollut Bull 2016; 112:406-410. [PMID: 27523580 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of 11 trace elements in three tissues of porbeagle shark Lamna nasus (n=33) were determined. The maximum observed concentrations of Cd and Pb in muscle were 0.04 and 0.01mgkg-1, respectively, and all muscle samples were below European seafood limits for these metals. Hg concentrations in either the red or white muscle that exceeded European regulations for seafood were observed in one-third of specimens. Hg concentration, however, increased with length, and all fish >195cm had concentrations >1.0mgkg-1, with a maximum observed value of 2.0mgkg-1. Concentrations of Fe and Cu were, on average, 9.7 and 10 times higher in red muscle than in nearby white muscle, respectively. Mn, Zn, As and Se were also found in significantly higher concentrations in red muscle than in white muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- E E Manuel Nicolaus
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK.
| | - Victoria A Bendall
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Thi P C Bolam
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Thomas Maes
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Jim R Ellis
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
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Moriarty M, Pedreschi D, Stokes D, Dransfeld L, Reid DG. Spatial and temporal analysis of litter in the Celtic Sea from Groundfish Survey data: Lessons for monitoring. Mar Pollut Bull 2016; 103:195-205. [PMID: 26795120 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires EU Member States to sample and monitor marine litter. Criteria for sampling and detecting spatial and/or temporal variation in the amount of litter present have been developed and initiated throughout Europe. These include implementing standardised sampling and recording methods to enable cross-comparison and consistency between neighbours. Parameters of interest include; litter occurrence, composition, distribution and source. This paper highlights the litter-related initiatives occurring in Irish waters; presents an offshore benthic litter sampling series; provides a power analysis to determine trend detection thresholds; identifies areas and sources of litter; and proposes improvements to meet reporting obligations. Litter was found to be distributed throughout Irish waters with highest occurrences in the Celtic Sea. Over 50% of litter encountered was attributed to fishing activities: however only a small proportion of the variability in litter occurrence could be explained by spatial patterns in fishing effort. Issues in implementing standardised protocol were observed and addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Moriarty
- Fisheries Ecosystem & Advisory Services, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland.
| | - D Pedreschi
- Fisheries Ecosystem & Advisory Services, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - D Stokes
- Fisheries Ecosystem & Advisory Services, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - L Dransfeld
- Fisheries Ecosystem & Advisory Services, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - D G Reid
- Fisheries Ecosystem & Advisory Services, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
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Bendall VA, Barber JL, Papachlimitzou A, Bolam T, Warford L, Hetherington SJ, Silva JF, McCully SR, Losada S, Maes T, Ellis JR, Law RJ. Organohalogen contaminants and trace metals in North-East Atlantic porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus). Mar Pollut Bull 2014; 85:280-286. [PMID: 24974165 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The North-East Atlantic porbeagle (Lamna nasus) population has declined dramatically over the last few decades and is currently classified as 'Critically Endangered'. As long-lived, apex predators, they may be vulnerable to bioaccumulation of contaminants. In this study organohalogen compounds and trace elements were analysed in 12 specimens caught as incidental bycatch in commercial gillnet fisheries in the Celtic Sea in 2011. Levels of organohalogen contaminants were low or undetectable (summed CB and BDE concentrations 0.04-0.85 mg kg(-1)wet weight). A notably high Cd concentration (7.2 mg kg(-1)wet weight) was observed in one mature male, whereas the range observed in the other samples was much lower (0.04-0.26 mg kg(-1)wet weight). Hg and Pb concentrations were detected only in single animals, at 0.34 and 0.08 mg kg(-1)wet weight, respectively. These contaminant levels were low in comparison to other published studies for shark species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Bendall
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK.
| | - Jonathan L Barber
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Alexandra Papachlimitzou
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Thi Bolam
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Lee Warford
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Stuart J Hetherington
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Joana F Silva
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Sophy R McCully
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Sara Losada
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Thomas Maes
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Jim R Ellis
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Robin J Law
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
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