Geological study of Cadiz Gulf

CTD

Abundance estimate of anchovy juveniles in the Bay of Biscay

Study and mapping of the Spanish Continental Shelf

The main objective of the project ATLANTIS is the study of fishing activities and marine resources of commercial interest in the FAO statistical subareas 41.3.1 and 41.3.2, within an ecosystem approach, paying particular attention to interactions between fishing activities and Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, mainly on the High Seas of the SW Atlantic. From 1988 the IEO scientific observers onboard programme, gives commercial, biological, oceanographic and physical data (bathymetry, surface and sea bed temperatures, etc). A series of research cruises were carried out from 2007, on board the R/V Miguel Oliver, with the main objective of said research cruises was the quantitative, qualitative and geographical study and identification of the Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and of the vulnerable organisms in the taxonomic groups who could live in the study area, including the proposal of marine areas to be protected, to allow sustainable exploitation of fishing resources without endangering the Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems. During the research cruises undertaken, from the surface to 1,500 m, in the south western Atlantic waters between 42ºS and 48ºS, a variety of data was obtained from the fieldwork on geology, geomorphology, benthos, fisheries and physical oceanography. The results include: a detailed cartographic and bathymetric study of the area, a description of the geological substratum and of the benthic features, an analysis of the abundance and distribution of the species of largest commercial fishing interest, a footprint analysis of the fishery, an identification and a description of the Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems. The research undertaken and its main findings led to the delineating of several areas to be protected, with a total area of 41,000 km2, according to presence of organisms classified as vulnerable.

The objectives of this cruise are framed on the project "Radial Profunda de Canarias (RAPROCAN-II)". This Project is funded by the Instituto Español de Oceanografía and the main scientific objectives are: a)Characterize the different ways of variability of heat and mass transport at the eastern end of the subtropical gyre. b)Determine the structure of current that reaches the Canary Islands, their mass transport, heat and nutrients and their interannual variability. c)Determine the correlation between heat and mass transport with the atmospheric and oceanic NAO index. d)Characterize the annual cycle in the physical condition of the surface and mixed layers as far as the seasonal cycle is significant, relating to meteorological forcing. e)Characterize of changes in water masses, mainly in the North Atlantic Central Water (NACW), Intermediate Water (AAIW), Mediterranean Water (MW) and bottom water of the Canary basin, studying their characteristics of temperature, salinity, nutrients and oxygen.

bathymetry study area

Caracterización termohalina y biogeoquímica en las aguas oceánicas de la región Galicia-Cantábrico en tres transectos estándar perpendiculares a la costa en Finisterre, Ortegal y Cabo Mayor cubriendo la columna de agua hasta unos 5000m. Dichos transectos forman parte de la serie temporal de campañas semestrales iniciada en 2003 que se encuadran en la estrategia de monitorización oceánica asociados a los principios del programa internacional CLIVAR..

Monthly sampling of physical, chemical and biological variables at N Spanish Coast

Acoustic survey, conducted with an annual periodicity, to assess and map the small- and mid-sized pelagic (neritic) species¿ resources and the oceanographic and biological conditions of the Gulf of Cadiz continental shelf (both Spanish and Portuguese waters, ICES Subdivision IXa South, from Cape Trafalgar to Cape San Vicente, between 20 and 200 m depth). The survey season coincides with the anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) peak spawning in order to estimate the anchovy SSB by echo-integration. The acoustic sampling for assessment by echo-integration is performed during daylight hours (at a 10-knot speed). Biological characterization of the pelagic community is sampled by opportunistic pelagic trawls (for identification of echo-traces), which are also performed during the day (at a 4-knot speed). Ancillary biological information (fish eggs) sampled with CUFES (Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler) and coupled to the acoustic sampling. Occurrence of sea birds, turtles, and mammals is also recorded along the acoustic transects through census techniques. Oceanographic characterization of the surveyed area from both discrete (CTD profiles in night stations) and continuous sampling (Thermosalinometer-fluorimeter) coupled to the CUFES sampling. This year, ad hoc Bongo 40 stations arranged in two additional transects were also carried out in order to characterize the ichthyoplankton and mesozooplankton species assemblages in the eastern sector of the study area (Guadalquivir river mouth-Trafalgar) and their relationships with environmental conditions.