Trends in the abundance of demersal species in the southern Aegean Sea

Abstract

SUMMARY: The present work identifies trends in the abundance of the main demersal species of the South Aegean Sea utilising catch and effort data derived from an international Mediterranean bottom trawl survey (MEDITS). The experimental surveys were accomplished annually from 1994 to 2000 on 61 pre-defined sampling stations. Selection of stations was based on a depth-stratified random sampling scheme that included five depth strata: 10-50, 50-100, 100-200, 200-500 and 500-800 m. The results suggest the existence of a general increasing trend in the biomass of the demersal species, particularly at the 10-50 m and 500-800 m depth strata. Findings are discussed in relation to the fisheries exploitation pattern and productivity of the area.

Catching Octopus vulgaris with traps in the Azores: first trials employing Japanese baited pots in the Atlantic

“…Our results showed a decrease of abundance (CPUE) with depth, which has also been recorded for this species across other geographical locations (Sánchez, 1986;Sánchez & Martin;1993;Sánchez et al, 1998;Terpes & Peristeraki, 2002), and when using distinct fishing methods.…”

“…The common octopus (Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797) is a temperate and subtropical cephalopod, which is found in the Azores at depths of between 0 and 250 m. The abundance of this species is known to decrease with depth (Sánchez & Martin, 1993;Sánchez, 1998;Sánchez et al, 1998;Terpes & Peristeraki, 2002), although this feature has never been studied in the Azores.…”

Spatial management of the Mediterranean bottom-trawl fisheries: the case of the southern Aegean Sea

“…The list of species included: Mullus surmuletus, Diplodus annularis, Mullus barbatus, Eledone moschata, Loligo vulgaris, Octopus vulgaris, Pagellus erythrinus, Spicara flexuosa, Spicara smaris, Sepia officinalis, and Boops boops. These species comprise the main bulk of trawl catches in the examined area (Tsimenides et al, 1991;Tserpes et al, 1999;Tserpes & Peristeraki, 2002) and they are also the main target species for most Mediterranean coastal trawl fisheries (Papaconstantinou & Farrugio, 2000).…”

Identification of hake distribution pattern and nursery grounds in the Hellenic seas by means of generalized additive models

“…A previous analysis based on MEDITS survey data from the south Aegean Sea covering the 1994-2000 period did not reveal the presence of any abundance trend over time (Tserpes & Peristeraki, 2002).…”