Possible Population Growth of Astrospartus mediterraneus (Risso, 1826) (Ophiuroidea, Gorgonocephalidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

Canessa, Martina; Betti, Federico; Bo, Marzia; Enrichetti, Francesco; Toma, Margherita; Bavestrello, Giorgio

doi:10.3390/d15010122

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Particularly interesting is the high collection rate of the basket star, Astrospartus mediterraneus, reported by one fisher. This observation confirms the population growth reported for this species in the last ten years in some NW Mediterranean areas, including the deep shoal of Punta del Faro [59,108]. In addition, the interviewed fishers report extensive collections of substrate attributable to the scouring of nets over the seafloor.…”

Section: Fishing Pressure On and Environmental Status Of The Shoalsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…It faces the Tigullio Gulf and is highly influenced by its coastal water masses, which are rich in inorganic nutrients and particulate matter [33,35,36]. These waters are moved westward by the Ligurian-Provençal current [31], thus transiting above the shoal and its megabenthic communities and providing an additional source of food for benthic filter-feeders [8,59].…”

Section: The Deep Shoal Of Punta Del Faro In the Context Of The Porto...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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High Megabenthic Complexity and Vulnerability of a Mesophotic Rocky Shoal Support Its Inclusion in a Mediterranean MPA

Enrichetti,

Bavestrello,

Cappanera

et al. 2023

Diversity

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The deep shoal of Punta del Faro (Ligurian Sea, Mediterranean Sea) is a mesophotic rocky elevation hosting complex animal forests threatened by fishing activities. To identify appropriate conservation measures and set a reference example for similar cases, we present a detailed characterization of its megabenthic communities and a quantification of the fishing pressure. The results highlight the high natural value of the area, presenting high biodiversity (111 megabenthic and demersal species) and diverse types of animal forest, predominantly dominated by cnidarians. The tridimensional seascape is among the most complex in the eastern Ligurian Sea, but the long-term evaluation of its environmental status suggested consistent affects due to the high abundance of lost fishing gear (0.65 items m−2) directly entangled with structuring cnidarians. The artisanal and recreational fishing pressure are currently moderate. However, the use of bottom-contact fishing gear causes significant modifications to the seafloor’s integrity. This study emphasizes the high conservation value and vulnerability of the shoal, highlighting the importance of its protection through its inclusion in the Portofino MPA, whose external perimeter is 200 m from the study area. A critical discussion of the advantages and disadvantages is provided with a map of the possible extension of the MPA boundaries.

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Section: Fishing Pressure On and Environmental Status Of The Shoalsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: The Deep Shoal Of Punta Del Faro In the Context Of The Porto...mentioning

confidence: 99%

High Megabenthic Complexity and Vulnerability of a Mesophotic Rocky Shoal Support Its Inclusion in a Mediterranean MPA

Enrichetti,

Bavestrello,

Cappanera

et al. 2023

Diversity

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Variation in the Health Status of the Mediterranean Gorgonian Forests: The Synergistic Effect of Marine Heat Waves and Fishing Activity

Canessa,

Bertolotto,

Betti

et al. 2024

Biology

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Over the past thirty years, the red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata in the Mediterranean Sea has faced increasing threats, including heat waves and human activities such as artisanal and recreational fishing. Epibiosis on damaged gorgonian colonies is generally used as an indirect indication of stressed conditions. The density and height of P. clavata and the percentage of colonies affected by epibiosis and entangled in lost fishing gear were monitored to investigate the phenomenon and its trend over time in the Ligurian Sea. Analyses were based on transects collected during ROV campaigns between 2015 and 2022 at depths of 33–90 m. A strong correlation was observed between fishing efforts in the study area and the level of epibiosis. Maximal percentages of colonies affected by epibiosis and entanglement were recorded at depths of 50–70 m. Temporally, marine heat waves before 2019 were identified as the primary cause of damage to P. clavata. The decrease in epibiosis percentages after 2019, despite the 2022 heat wave, may be due to a quick recovery ability of the populations and a reduction in fishing activities during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Long-term monitoring programmes are essential to understand the changes in marine benthic communities exposed to different stressors.

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The Heatwave of Summer 2022 in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea: Some Species Were Winners

Boudouresque,

Astruch,

André

et al. 2024

Water

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The warming trend of the Mediterranean Sea is a long-term process. It has resulted in a northwards and westwards range expansion and abundance increase of thermophilic species, both native and non-indigenous, and in a shrinking of the range of cold-affinity species. Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are relatively short-term extreme episodes that are responsible for spectacular mortality events in some species and have been extensively reported in the literature. In contrast, the species that benefit from MHWs (the ‘winners’) have been much less studied. A record-breaking MHW occurred in 2022 in the north-western Mediterranean Sea. We focus on three ‘winner’ species, the thermophilic green macroalgae Penicillus capitatus and Microdictyon umbilicatum and the endemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Penicillus capitatus, which is mainly present in the area as an inconspicuous turf of entangled filaments (espera stage), produced the erect paintbrush-like stage where sexual reproduction takes place. Microdictyon umbilicatum, usually uncommon, bloomed to the point of clogging fishing nets. Finally, a mass flowering of P. oceanica occurred in late August–September, followed the following year (April–May 2023) by the extensive production and dissemination of fruits and seeds. Both processes, the long-term warming trend and one-off heatwaves, both ‘losers’ and ‘winners’, shape the change in structure and functioning of Mediterranean ecosystems.

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Possible Population Growth of Astrospartus mediterraneus (Risso, 1826) (Ophiuroidea, Gorgonocephalidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

Cited by 3 publications

References 36 publications

High Megabenthic Complexity and Vulnerability of a Mesophotic Rocky Shoal Support Its Inclusion in a Mediterranean MPA

High Megabenthic Complexity and Vulnerability of a Mesophotic Rocky Shoal Support Its Inclusion in a Mediterranean MPA

Variation in the Health Status of the Mediterranean Gorgonian Forests: The Synergistic Effect of Marine Heat Waves and Fishing Activity

The Heatwave of Summer 2022 in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea: Some Species Were Winners

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