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The year 2014 is between one of the coldest La Ni˜na events (2011􀀀 2012), and one of the most intense warming events between (2013–2016) in the California Current System (CCS). The information provided in this work documents part of the missing information about zooplankton and oceanographic features for the year 2014 along the southern portion of the CCS off the western Coast of Baja California Peninsula (WBCP). The statistical analysis of environmental variables during the summer of 2014 distinguished three regions off the WBCP (north, transitional, and south), in coincidence with changes in zooplankton groups composition. Thermal and saline oceanic fronts off the central region coincided with an increasing abundance of gelatinous zooplankton, where two cold core eddies were present. These mesoscale structures represent physical barriers that seem to determine the distribution limits of planktonic communities. Since no day/night statistical differences in zooplankton composition were found, zooplankton community changes seem more related to the latitudinal environmental changes and mesoscale semi-permanent structures in the middle peninsula. 0,826 3,01 11,0 SCIE Q1 15 Q2

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.Match codend L50 to Minimum Landing Size (MLS) can be seen as a straightforward solution to reduce juveniles catches of a given species, but this strategy could lead to catch losses of other targets with lower MLS. Herein we address a Spanish case study related to this issue. Hake (Merluccius merluccius [L. 1758], hereafter HKE) is a valuable target species for the Bottom otter-trawl mixed fishery (hereafter OTB-mix) fishery operating in Galician waters (V IIIc-IXa ). Large quantities of individuals below MLS (27cm) are still caught and subsequently discarded in the fishery, suggesting that efforts should be made to improve selectivity on this species. However, the Introduction of HKE-based size selection improvements to commercial gears may conflict with fishing interest on other target species with lower MLS, such as Blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou [Risso, 1826], hereafter WHB). This mismatch could be solved by introducing species selection devices, which split species within the trawl and drive the fractions to specific size selection panels. Nevertheless this approach success depends on an effective use (if exists) of differences in swimming-scape behaviour between species. Given this scenario, we propose a flow of questions intended to assess if WHB exploitation patterns in OTB-mix could play a key role in the success of potential HKE-based size selection improvements.

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.By-catch of cold-water corals from a Trawl Experimental Survey developed during 2004 in three NAFO Seamounts was examined (Corner Rise and New England Seamount Complex). Three hauls were carried out over two peaks located in New England Seamount Complex (Divs. 6EF). In this area, catches of commercial resources were negligible and by-catch of corals was recorded (degraded pieces of dead Enallopsammia sp and Keratoisis sp and few live corals like Solenosmilia variabilis, Metallogorgia melanotrichos, Paragorgia johnsoni, etc.), showing some interaction between fishing and vulnerable habitats and that trawl fishing in the area is unfeasible. Ninety-two hauls were carried out over one peak located in Corner Rise Seamount Complex (Div. 6G), with big catches of alfonsino (Beryx splendens), but only six hauls showing coral records (Enallopsamia rostrata, Solenosmilia variabilis, Madrepora oculata, Acanella eburnea and Placogorgia terceira) and in less quantities in comparison with Divs. 6EF. The low by-catch of corals in the Div. 6G peak could be related with their less rough bottom feature and with the previous alteration of sessile epifauna due to intense fishing activity developed during the last decades of XX Century. The results of the Experimental Survey indicate that the impact of trawling on seamounts could be important and that the closed area agreed in 2007 to protect the bottom habitats of the seamounts within NAFO Regulatory Area (Divs. 6EFG) should be maintained and improved

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) is the European Initiative for the establishment of a European capacity for Earth Observation. Through the ASIMUTH project, scientists and industry from 5 countries along Europe’s Atlantic Margin will form a network to produce the first realistic HAB advisory and forecasting capability as a GMES downstream service to the European aquaculture industry. The early warning of severe blooms will allow fish and shellfish farmers to adapt their culture and harvesting practices in time, in order to reduce potential losses.

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.Dispersal of fish larvae into unfavourable areas may be devastating for early life stage survival and recruitment. In highly dynamic upwelling environments, such as the northwest African region, it is critical to understand the magnitude of offshore larval transport. This upwelling system remains still largely unstudied in terms of early life‐history stages of fish, even for the most commercial species (European sardine and anchovy). In this work, we describe for the first time the entire larval fish community present in the area in spring, identifying a coastal and an oceanic larval assemblage. Our spring sampling identified two filament–eddy complexes between Cape Juby and Cape Bojador. The interaction of these mesoscale structures not only influenced the distribution of neritic species, but also oceanic species. Neritic larvae (sardine, anchovy, mackerel) were retained by the upwelling front, located some 100 km offshore. The interaction between the anticyclonic and the cyclonic eddy may then work as a mechanism to return the larvae to the African coast. On the other hand, oceanic species were present at nearly all sampling stations, although there were accumulations observed in a northern area near the shelf break (enhanced by the cyclonic eddy) and southern area owing to the interaction of the southern filament–anticyclonic eddy complex. Consequences of larval dispersal for survival and recruitment for the relevant species are discussed in the light of the results.

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.During an investigation into the distribution of Dinophysis spp. in coastal waters off the south coast of Ireland, a thin layer of Dinophysis acuta was observed as a sub surface thin layer containing up to 55,000 cells l-1 . The layer did not coincide with the fluorescence maximum, and was found to be a patch of maximum dimensions ~10 km x 7 km. The patch was observed to move westwards within a seasonal coastal jet previously recorded in the area, and also evident due to the aggregation of isopycnals at the seafloor. The patch was followed for 6 days, and shown to be moving within the coastal jet at a speed of ca. 6.5 km d-1 towards a nationally important shellfish production area. These observations have substantial implications for regional monitoring of toxic blooms in that they document how harmful populations may be transported in coastal jets along coasts to aquaculture sites.

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.The protection of the environment is a key element of the European Union’s sustainable development, and therefore is a priority for community co‐financing. LIFE is the European Commission’s financial instrument exclusively dedicated to supporting environmental and nature conservation projects. Spain is one of the richest European countries in marine biodiversity. It has 8000 km of coastline with 23 million inhabitants, which is 58% of the Spanish population. Protection of our seas is mandatory. Almost a quarter of the Spanish territory is included in the Natura 2000 Network. However, in the marine environment, the Natura 2000 Network is at a very early stage because the offshore area is less than 0.5% of Spanish territorial waters. Within this frame the LIFE project: ʺInventory and designation of marine Natura 2000 areas in the Spanish sea (INDEMARES)” was born, coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation and including relevant institutions in research, management, and conservation of the marine environment. Its main objective is to contribute to the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity in the Spanish seas through the identification of ten valuable areas for the Natura 2000 Network. One of these areas is in the Gulf of Cadiz, based on the discovery of submarine chimneys and pavements related to leaking gases. The INDEMARES CHICA project discusses the role of these submarine structures in terms of habitats. The new ROV LIROPUS 2000 will play a fundamental role in obtaining the necessary information for completing the requirements from the OSPAR Commission directives and the European Council Habitats Directive.

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.The distribution of epipelagic plankton biomass by size-fractions was studied during Malaspina-2010 expedition across the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The objective was to characterize plankton biomass structure at large spatial scales in poorly explored areas of the ocean. Samples from 95 stations, representative of 3 of major ocean biomes and 12 ecological provinces, were fractionated in 5 size-classes (40 to 5000 µm) and biomass determined as dry weight. Mean plankton biomass was similar for all oceans and major biomes but varied significantly between provinces, being particularly high in the N Pacific Equatorial Countercurrent and in the Caribbean provinces. The differences were mainly due to increases in medium-sized plankton, while for most provinces the biomass was uniformly distributed across logarithmic size-classes. Total and size-class plankton biomass was negatively and non-linearly correlated with the mixing layer depth and with the depth of the chlorophyll maximum across provinces. In contrast only the biomass of the smaller plankton was positively and linearly correlated with sea surface temperature, while the biomass of other size-classes was positively affected by the thermal stratification gradient in the upper layer. The obtained relationships will improve our ability to monitor and model the ocean response to global change