Instituto Espanol De Oceanografia Research Articles

IBAMar Database: Four Decades of Sampling on the Western Mediterranean Sea

IBAMar is a regional database that puts together all the physical and biochemical data provided by multiparametric probes and water sample analysis taken during the cruises managed by the Balearic Oceanographic Center of the Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia (COB-IEO) during the last four decades. Initially, it integrated data from hydrographic profiles obtained from CTDs (conductivity, temperature, depth) equipped with several sensors, but it has been recently extended to incorporate data obtained with hydrocasts using oceanographic Niskin or Nansen bottles. The result is an extensive regional resource database that includies physical hydrographic data such as temperature (T), salinity (S), dissolved oxygen (DO), fluorescence, and turbidity, as well as biochemical data, specifically dissolved inorganic nutrients (phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, and silicate) and chlorophyll-a. Different technologies and methodologies were used by independent teams during the four decades of data sampling. However in the IBAMar database, data have been reprocessed using the same protocols and a standard quality control (QC) methodology has been applied to each variable. The result is a homogeneous and quality-controlled data. IBAMar database at standard levels is freely available for exploration and download from http://www.ba.ieo.es/ibamar/.

Persistence and Variation on the Groundfish Assemblages on the Southern Grand Banks (NAFO Divisions 3NO): 2002-2011

Data from EU-Spain (Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia) bottom trawl surveys in the NAFO Regulatory Area (2002–2011) were analyzed to examine patterns on the South of Grand Banks (NAFO Div. 3NO) of groundfish assemblage structure and diversity in relation to depth. The 1160 hauls from the slope surveys spanned between 38 and 1460 m in depth. We focused on the 28 most abundant species, which made up 92.6% of the catch in terms of biomass. Assemblage structure was strongly correlated with depth. For the most part, changes in assemblages seem to be fairly continuous, although there were more abrupt changes at 300 m. Five assemblages were identified. Two shallow assemblages were found in the shelf. Assemblage I (Shallow) comprises the strata with depths lesser than 150 and include yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea), American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides), Northern sand lance (Ammodytes dubius), moustache sculpin (Triglops murrayi), capelin (Mallotus villosus) and web sculpin (Hemitripterus americanus). Assemblage II (Shallow) includes the strata with depths between 151 and 300 m and comprises Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), American angler (Lophius americanus), wolfish (Anarichas lupus) and thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata). Assemblage III (Intermediate) contains the depth strata between 301 and 600 m. Redfish (Sebastes spp.), spotted wolfish (Anarichas minor), Arctic eelpout (Lycodes reticulatus), Northern wolfish (Anarichas denticulatus), white hake (Urophycis tenuis), witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) and longfin hake (Phycis chesteri) were included in the intermediate assemblage. Finally, we found two deep clusters: Assemblage IV (Deep) contains the depths between 601 and 1000 m, and Assemblage V (Deep) the depth strata greater than 1001 m. Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), marlin-spike (Nezumia bairdii), roughhead grenadier (Macrourus berglax) and spinytail skate (Bathyraja spinicauda) formed Assemblage IV. Snubnosed spiny eel (Notacanthus chemnitzii), blue antimora (Antimora rostrata), Northern cutthroat eel (Syphanobranchus kaupii), roundnose grenadier (Coryphaenoides rupestris), black dogfish (Centroscyllium fabricii), Arctic skate (Amblyraja hyperborea) and longnose chimera (Harriotta raleighana) made up the deepest assemblage. Despite dramatic changes in biomass and abundance of the species in the area, the boundaries and composition of the assemblages seem to be similar to the period before the collapse. Although some changes were evident, the main ones were replacements of the dominant species in several assemblages and bathymetric range extension of distribution of some species. Yellowtail flounder appears to be the dominant species in the shallowest assemblage instead of Atlantic cod and American plaice that were dominant in the period before the collapse in the area; redfish is the dominant species in the second shallow and intermediate assemblages. Diversity appears inversely related to biomass in the different assemblages. Despite the fishing effort in the deep waters of the Grand Banks, the overall pattern of demersal fish assemblages remains similar over time. This pattern is similar in other Atlantic areas; it indicates that changes in the fish populations in Northwest Atlantic have been produced on a large scale and are not limited to specific areas.

Marine mammal bycatch in Spanish Mediterranean large pelagic longline fisheries, with a focus on Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus)

The western Mediterranean is an important fishing area in which the Spanish longline fleet operates. Longline fisheries affect several species of marine mammals, sea turtles, sharks and seabirds, all of which are espe- cially sensitive to fishing mortality. Given international efforts to identify and reduce the bycatch of sensitive species, an onboard observer program was implemented by the Spanish Oceanographic Institute (IEO, Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia). The aim of the present study was to report data on marine mammal bycatch in the western Mediter- ranean. The additional aim was to improve knowledge about the possible effects of the Spanish longline fisheries on cetacean populations, particularly Risso's dolphin, and to suggest improvements to fisheries management. Data on ma- rine mammal bycatch were collected during the period 2000−2009. Differences are reported for catch per unit effort (CPUE, defined as marine mammals per 1000 hooks) for each type of gear (n = 7), as well as their effect on specific marine mammal species. A total of 5 398 297 hooks were monitored, which yielded 56 marine mammals belonging to 4d ifferent species. Our results indicate that Risso's dolphin is the species most affected by the longline fishery in the western Mediterranean (n = 33). We built a predictive model for Risso's dolphin bycatch using variables associated with the technical characteristics of the fishery, geographic location and seasonality. We performed a binary logistic re- gression of the presence/absence of Risso's dolphin bycatch to test whether the probability of incidentally catching one or more dolphins may be predicted by some of the explanatory variables selected. Our results indicate that Risso's dol- phin was mainly caught using Japanese longline (LLJAP) or an experimental home-based longline (LLHBexp) over the continental shelf. Because LLHBexp is an experimental type of gear that was only used occasionally by the fleet, con- trolling the use of LLJAP over the continental shelf could strongly reduce the impact of these fisheries on populations of Risso's dolphin in the western Mediterranean.

Preface: European Commission’s Marie Curie Action ECOSUMMER

Marie Curie (born Marja Sklodowska) was the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two sciences (in Physics-1903 and in Chemistry-1911). She moved from her native Poland to study and pursue a scientific career in France and became well known for her dedication, persistence and passion for work. Her scientific achievements are all the more remarkable for taking place at a time in history when conditions for research and in particular for women in science were often difficult. She was well liked by both her colleagues and friends, to whom she was able to communicate the passion she felt for her work. Hence, it is fitting that the European Commission named its programme of training awards for young researchers after Madame Curie. Marie Curie Actions provide the opportunity for young researchers to improve their research skills and enhance their career prospects through competitive and intensive efforts, mobility and dedication; characteristics that will always contribute to the establishment of a promising scientific career. Specifically, Marie Curie Initial Training Networks (ITN) promote the mobility of young researchers, between different European countries and into Europe from other parts of the world, an important step that exposes them to a variety of established research centres and universities in order to meet, interact with, and collaborate with other researchers, expand their research ideas and horizons, and develop those character attributes required in the increasingly competitive field of research. This issue presents some of the scientific output of one such network in the field of marine sciences. ECOSUMMER (ECOsystem approach to SUstainable Management of the Marine Environment and its living Resources) was a 4-year (2006–2009) multihost Training Site for Early-Stage Research Training (EST). Eight universities and research institutes collaborated in the project: the University of Aberdeen (UABDN, UK), the Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory (FRS, UK), the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS, UK), the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR, GR), the Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia (IEO, ES) with Guest editors: Graham J. Pierce, Vasilis D. Valavanis, M. Begona Santos & Julio M. Portela / Marine Ecosystems and Sustainability

The Cheilostomate Bryozoa (Bryozoa: Cheilostomatida) collected by the Spanish 'Antartida 8611' Expedition to the Scotia Arc and South Shetland Islands

The Cheilostome Bryozoa of the ‘Antartida 8611’ Expedition, collected by the Spanish Oceanographic Institution (Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia, IEO) during the Antarctic summer 1986–87 are listed. This expedition collected abundant material of benthic invertebrates at many stations in the Scotia Sea archipelagos and South Shetland Islands, of which 70 yielded Cheilostomate Bryozoa. Of 85 species found, 32 have been collected in areas where they were not previously known. Twenty of them are recorded north of their known limit of distribution and two recorded south. Most of these species are cited for the first time for the Scotia Arc, thus supporting the generally admitted homogeneity of the Antarctic fauna. The presence of Arachnopusia monoceros in the Southern Ocean is confirmed; a previously unknown variability in the colony shape of Kymella polaris is reported and the ovicell of Exochella umbonata is described. In addition, four species have been proposed as new to science, three of them, belonging to the genera Cellaria, Klugerella and Hippomonavella, described in the present work and one, Macropora georgiensis, included in a previous work. Together with the discussion of the new species of Klugerella, the specific composition of this genus is updated, with the assignation of Membraniporella aragoi (Audouin) and Membraniporella marcusi Cook to Klugerella. The examination of the inner side of the orifice and the frontal wall of three species of Hippomonavella reveals that the frontal is at least partially umbonuloid and that this genus is better accommodated in the family Bitectiporidae MacGillivray, 1895 than in Smittinidae Levinsen, 1909. Se presenta un listado de los Briozoos Queilostomados obtenidos en la campana ‘Antartida 8611’ del Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia (IEO) durante el verano antartico de 1986-87. Esta expedicion recolecto un abundante material de invertebrados bentonicos en un alto numero de estaciones de los archipielagos del arco del Scotia y las islas Shetland del Sur, de las cuales 70 contenian briozoos. De las 85 especies encontradas, 32 se han recogido en areas en las que no eran conocidas previamente. De ellas, 22 aumentan hacia el norte su limite de distribucion y dos hacia el sur. Muchas de estas especies se citan por primera vez en el arco del Scotia, corroborando la generalmente admitida homogeneidad de la fauna antartica. La presencia de Arachnopusia monoceros en aguas antarticas, que habia sido puesta en duda, se confirma; se describe una variabilidad antes no conocida de la forma colonial de Kymella polaris, asi como la ovicela de Exochella umbonata, que no habia sido encontrada. Ademas, cuatro especies se han propuesto como nuevas para la Ciencia, de las que tres, pertenecientes a los generos Cellaria, Klugerella e Hippomonavella, se describen en este trabajo, y la otra, Macropora georgiensis, se ha incluido en una revision del genero publicada anteriormente. En la discusion de la nueva especie de Klugerella, se actualiza la composicion especifica de este genero, anadiendo al mismo Membraniporella aragoi (Audouin) y Membraniporella marcusi Cook. Se pone de manifiesto que la pared frontal de Hippomonavella es al menos parcialmente umbonuloide y, dadas las caracteristicas de dicha pared y del orificio, se propone que el genero Hippomonavella esta mejor situado en la familia Bitectiporidae MacGillivray, 1895 que en Smittinidae Levinsen, 1909.

Notes on marine meiofauna from muddy bottoms off Málaga (Spain)

During the ECOMALAGA campaing performed by the Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia (Malaga/Fuengirola) under the direction of Juan A. Caminas, it was possible to collect some sediment samples off the region of Malaga (10-13 July, 1997). This was a preliminary test to gain insight in the unknown composition of sediment meiofauna to the western-most Mediterranean Sea, in particular with respect of the influence of Atlantic water and the faunistic status of the Sea of Alboran. Some interesting findings beyond that scope have also been observed and are reported in these faunistic notes.

Evolution of the Alboran Sea hydrographic structures during July 1993

During the ICTIOALBORAN-0793 multidisciplinary oceanographic survey carried out in July 1993 by the Instituto Español de Oceanografı́a (IEO) in the Alboran Sea, some anomalous features were detected. One was the presence of a small cyclonic eddy in the western Alboran Basin, close to the African coast. The upper layer of the eddy consisted of Mediterranean Surface Water and was separated from its supposed source (the northern Alboran Sea) by the Atlantic Jet. Another feature was the probable temporary interruption of the flow of fresh Atlantic Water (S≈36.5) into the eastern Alboran Basin and its replacement by a modified (saltier) Atlantic Water. These features can be explained assuming a time evolution of the surface circulation in the Alboran Sea forced by speed variations in the inflowing Atlantic Water through the Strait of Gibraltar. A collection of satellite images covering the survey period and across-strait sea level difference data, indicative of the geostrophic velocity of the inflow through the Strait, were used to check this assumption. Both sets of data supplied independent but compatible information in the sense that they complemented each other and gave support to the proposed evolving model. Finally, some speculative ideas attempting to correlate the inferred variability in the Alboran Sea with the state of the baroclinic water exchange through the Strait of Gibraltar (maximal or submaximal) are discussed.

Optical, acoustic and sampling methods applied to the detection of deep sea bed mineral deposits: J. Rey Salgado, Publicaciones Especiales — Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia, 18, 1994, pp 81–88

Optical, acoustic and sampling methods applied to the detection of deep sea bed mineral deposits: J. Rey Salgado, Publicaciones Especiales — Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia, 18, 1994, pp 81–88

Energy metabolism of newly settledOstrea edulis spat during metamorphosis

An energy budget for metamorphosis in oyster spatOstrea edulis L., collected in the Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia during March–April 1988, was determined. The energy cost of metamorphosis was calculated from measurements of biochemical components which form the principal reserves of energy and which are used significantly during metamorphosis. The results indicated that protein supplied most of the energy inO. edulis spat. The idea that neutral lipids were used selectively as an energy reserve during the metamorphosis of this bivalve marine larvae was questioned.

Correction to] More on gyre

The news item about our Mediterranean gyre study (Eos, June 1, 1982, p. 522) did not mention the names and affiliations of many investigators who are not at the Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity (NORDA) but who are full partners in the work. The following list may help readers who wish to follow our progress: Gregorio Parrilla and Jeronimo Corral— Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia, Madrid, Spain.