Demersal fish distribution and habitat use within and near Baltimore and Norfolk Canyons, U.S. middle Atlantic slope

Ross, Steve W.; Rhode, Mike; Quattrini, Andrea M.

doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2015.06.004

Cited by 49 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Direct observation methods are preferred for documenting fauna in complex habitats [32–34]; thus, ROV video recordings were the main data used to document the fish communities and associated habitat complexity in the study area. ROV dive tracks were initially processed to conservatively remove erroneous tracking data (location points).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dive videos were analyzed multiple times for habitat classifications and to document necto-benthic fishes to the lowest possible taxon. Unusable videos (out of focus, too far off bottom, video malfunction, sediment clouds) were removed from the dataset [34]. …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…First of all, data were divided into four depth layers (0–50, 51–100, 101–150, 151–200 m) and within each layer, video segments were designated when the habitat complexity changed on the basis of three levels (low, medium and high; Table 1; Fig 2) [33,34]. Following this procedure, a video segment (sample unit) was characterized by univocal category of depth layer and habitat complexity.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fish Distribution and Habitat Complexity on Banks of the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) from Remotely-Operated Vehicle (ROV) Explorations

et al. 2016

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The Strait of Sicily was recognized internationally as an “Ecologically or Biologically Significant Area” by the Contracting Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2014. However, basic aspects of its fish diversity are still unknown and most of the information comes from traditional trawl surveys. This paper provides the first detailed description, using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), of the composition and depth distribution of the demersal fish assemblages found on banks of the Strait of Sicily and the related habitat complexity from 35 to 240 m depth. A total of 24 families and 52 fish species were recorded and depth was consistently associated with a significant proportion of the variation of the fish assemblage. The highest species richness was observed at the shallowest depth layer (0–50 m) and significantly decreased, remaining almost constant, in deeper layers. Similarly the highest abundance was recorded at 0–50 m, where C. julis represented the most abundant species, and decreased progressively throughout the whole depth gradient. Although the factor habitat complexity explained only a small proportion of the fish assemblage variation, significant differences among different degrees of habitat complexity were observed, together with a general positive trend for species richness and abundance with increasing habitat complexity. The ROV also allowed us to observe some rare or poorly known fish species such as Scorpaenodes arenai, Hyporthodus haifensis, Myliobatis aquila, Gadella maraldi, Epinephelus caninus and Lappanella fasciata. These findings show that banks serve as reservoirs for fish abundance and biodiversity and that immediate environmental conservation and management actions represent a priority not only for Italy but also for other countries which share the same area.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fish Distribution and Habitat Complexity on Banks of the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) from Remotely-Operated Vehicle (ROV) Explorations

et al. 2016

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“…Visual census methods using underwater vehicles such as ROVs and manned submersibles are increasingly applied to achieve the same goal (Trenkel et al, 2004b). In submarine canyons, ROVs have been used to examine the occurrence, behavior, habitat specificity and patterns of deep-sea fauna (Baker et al, 2012; Ross et al, 2015). A wide range of factors can affect density estimations with both methods.…”

Section: Assemblage Ground-truthing By Rov Observations and Agassiz Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison between ROV video and Agassiz trawl methods for sampling deep water fauna of submarine canyons in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea with observations on behavioural reactions of target species

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Aguzzi

Canals

et al. 2016

Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers

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“…All these predators are likely to be present in canyon areas for feeding and breeding, albeit intermittently in some cases (Rennie et al, 2009). For example, demersal fishes, such as macrourids and cusk (Brosme brosme), in Baltimore and Norfolk canyons (NW Atlantic), prey upon large swarms of euphausiids and amphipods as well as benthic species, such as brittle stars, which are abundant because of canyon-enhanced productivity (Ross et al, 2015). In addition, canyons may concentrate motile megafauna that leave the adjacent slope in an attempt to evade visual predators by hiding within the complex canyon topography (Farrugio, 2012).…”

Section: Canyon Effects On Pelagic and Motile Benthic Or Demersal Faunamentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Role of Submarine Canyons and Need for Canyon Conservation: A Review

et al. 2017

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Submarine canyons are major geomorphic features of continental margins around the world. Several recent multidisciplinary projects focused on the study of canyons have considerably increased our understanding of their ecological role, the goods, and services they provide to human populations, and the impacts that human activities have on their overall ecological condition. Pressures from human activities include fishing, dumping of land-based mine tailings, and oil and gas extraction. Moreover, hydrodynamic processes of canyons enhance the down-canyon transport of litter. The effects of climate change may modify the intensity of currents. This potential hydrographic change is predicted to impact the structure and functioning of canyon communities as well as affect nutrient supply to the deep-ocean ecosystem. This review not only identifies the ecological status of canyons, and current and future issues for canyon conservation, but also highlights the need for a better understanding of anthropogenic impacts on canyon ecosystems and proposes other research required to inform management measures to protect canyon ecosystems.

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Demersal fish distribution and habitat use within and near Baltimore and Norfolk Canyons, U.S. middle Atlantic slope

Cited by 49 publications

References 64 publications

Fish Distribution and Habitat Complexity on Banks of the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) from Remotely-Operated Vehicle (ROV) Explorations

Fish Distribution and Habitat Complexity on Banks of the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) from Remotely-Operated Vehicle (ROV) Explorations

Comparison between ROV video and Agassiz trawl methods for sampling deep water fauna of submarine canyons in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea with observations on behavioural reactions of target species

Ecological Role of Submarine Canyons and Need for Canyon Conservation: A Review

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