The oceanographic vessel Vizconde de Eza developed its first research campaign in Galicia as a result of the unfortunate accident and sinking of the Prestige oil tanker. In January of 2003, this project was undertaken to estimate the impact produced by the discharge of hydrocarbon on the demersal communities on the continental shelf of Galicia, in soft bottoms between 90 and 500 m, testing new acoustic methods for the detection of fuel the depths fixed. This multidisciplinary campaign took place over eight days on board the B / O Vizconde de Eza in the area of ​​the continental shelf between the Ría de Muros and La Coruña. The study of the main members of the bottom communities (infauna, epifauna, suprabenths and benthic and demersal macrofauna) was included, for which 20 sampling stations were established located in the three strata of the standardized trawl campaigns (70 - 120, 121 - 200 and 201 - 500 meters).

This campaign to evaluate deep demersal resources on the coasts of Algeria responds to the need to update and expand the studies and evaluations carried out in the 1980s. During this fishing prospecting campaign, 55 catches were made between 200 and 800 meters deep, using bottom trawls. To determine the abundance and properties of the main fishing resources of Algeria, it was necessary to obtain prior knowledge of the characteristics of the seabed on the sampled fishing beaches. Likewise, the precise knowledge of the bathymetry and morphology of the bottom optimized the trawl work and, in short, the achievement of the fishing campaign. GOALS Image of ship's personnel releasing trawl - Bathymetric and morphological recognition of the seabed in the upper slope and the Algerian coast. - Know the biological structure of demersal communities subjected to exploitation in the upper and middle slope of the study area. - Obtain indices of abundance and biomass of the main deep demersal species (hake, monkfish, white prawn, Norway lobster and red shrimp). - Characterize the demographic structure of the main demersal species exploited on the slope, as well as its geographical and bathymetric distribution. - Collect data and collect samples (otoliths) from deep demersal species for growth and reproduction studies. WORK AREA The bathymetric surveys were carried out at night, in such a way that sufficient time was available to elaborate the bathymetric maps and digital terrain models. This allowed the selection of the haul zones and served as an electronic cartography for navigation.

Coinciding with the development of the project, Friday, April 2, 500 days have passed since a 26-year-old monocoque tanker, loaded with 77,000 tons of fuel, split in two. The Prestige sank 260 km from the Cies Islands, in the Vigo estuary, generating a first spot of 5,000 tons of fuel. This campaign analyzes the effects produced by the spillage of the Prestige hydrocarbon on the ecosystem of the continental shelf of Galicia. OBJECTIVES Multidisciplinary campaign that monitored the impact of oil spills on demersal and benthic communities in funds between 70 and 500 m. Likewise, the geophysical study of the worst known areas of the platform was undertaken, such as the rocky areas, which are, nevertheless, of great ecological and commercial importance, and possible areas of sedimentary deposit that can be points of accumulation and retention of fuel

The Algerian continental shelf, very narrow and rocky, is not conducive to bottom trawling. Its average length is 6 km, even in certain areas, the 500-meter isobath is 3 miles from the coast. Only in some gulfs in the west of the country (such as Oran), near the Alboran Sea, the platform reaches an extension above average. According to the Algerian Geographic Unit, it is estimated that only 1/3 of the surface is optimal for bottom trawling: 3,500 km2 up to 200 m depth and 7,000 km2 between 200 and 350 m. This limits the availability of demersal species and thus, rg / 1999 / xhtml "> of the total catches of these species (~ 25,000 Tm), about 4,000 (~ 20%) correspond to crustaceans, mainly prawns, which are caught between 200 and 400 m GOALS Determine the abundance and characteristics of the main demersal resources of Algeria. For this, the following partial objectives are proposed: - Know the biological structure of the communities exploited by the trawl fishery on the platform and the upper slope. - Obtain indices of abundance and biomass of the main species, such as mullet, sparids, hake, monkfish, white shrimp, Norway lobster, pink prawn, Moorish prawns, octopus and cuttlefish. - To determine the characteristics of the demographic structure of these species, as well as to know their geographical and bathymetric distribution. - Collect data on the state of maturity, size and weight, and collect biological samples of demersal species for growth and reproduction studies.

This third investigation of the spillage of fuel in waters of Galicia and the Cantabrian Sea intended to continue the study of the impact of oil spills. In this edition, the monitoring of the process of recovery of ecosystems and exploited resources involved a study during spring flowering, period of higher production, to quantify the changes in the patterns of distribution and abundance of the communities. This campaign of 'evaluation of the impact of the Prestige discharges on the ecosystem of the platform and its fishing resources in spring time' was attended by researchers from the IEO, SGPM and CSIC. GOALS The general objective was to estimate the impact produced by the Prestige discharge on the demersal and benthic communities present on the continental shelf of Galicia, in soft bottoms between 35 and 500 meters. These communities are subject to considerable fishing exploitation and sustain the economy of numerous coastal towns of Galicia and the Cantabrian Sea. At the same time, geophysical studies were included, aimed at improving the knowledge of the funds of the internal platform, essential for carrying out sampling operations. The study was articulated around the following objectives: WORK AREA A multidisciplinary campaign of 16 days was proposed in the area of ​​the platform between the Ría de Vigo and the mouth of the Bidasoa river. The study was conducted in affected areas of the continental shelf of Galicia and the Cantabrian Sea in funds between 35 and 500 m. To this end, a series of sampling stations arranged in radials and located in five geographical sectors and three depth layers (71-120, 121-200 and 201-500 m) were established, which corresponded to those of the historical series of survey campaigns. of the IEO (following figure). In areas of special interest due to the importance of the discharges, hauls were made at less than 70 m.

Annually, the European Union develops two research campaigns in the area of ¿¿NAFO (North Atlantic Fisheries Organization), one in the 3NO division and another in the 3M and 3L (Flemish Cap Series). This campaign is part of a historical series in order to provide indices for the evaluation of the stock of halibut and other groundfish species in the area such as flounder, redfish, grenadier, cod or shrimp. The Flemish Cap bank is an isolated bank of the American coastal platform with an area greater than 10,000 square miles and is located outside of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Canada. The exploitation of the resources of this area is regulated by the international agreements of NAFO. GOALS Estimation of abundance and biomass indices of the target species, as well as the study and analysis of the demographic structure of their populations and the oceanographic conditions in the Bank.

Annually, the European Union develops two research campaigns in the area of ¿¿NAFO (North Atlantic Fisheries Organization), one in the 3NO division and another in the 3M and 3L (Flemish Cap Series). This campaign is part of a historical series in order to provide indices for the evaluation of the stock of halibut and other groundfish species in the area such as flounder, redfish, grenadier, cod or shrimp. The Flemish Cap bank is an isolated bank of the American coastal platform with an area greater than 10,000 square miles and is located outside of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Canada. The exploitation of the resources of this area is regulated by the international agreements of NAFO. GOALS Estimation of abundance and biomass indices of the target species, as well as the study and analysis of the demographic structure of their populations and the oceanographic conditions in the Bank.

Annually, the European Union develops two research campaigns in the area of ¿¿NAFO (North Atlantic Fisheries Organization), one in the 3NO division and another in the 3M and 3L (Flemish Cap Series). This campaign is part of a historical series in order to provide indices for the evaluation of the stock of halibut and other groundfish species in the area such as flounder, redfish, grenadier, cod or shrimp. The Flemish Cap bank is an isolated bank of the American coastal platform with an area greater than 10,000 square miles and is located outside of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Canada. The exploitation of the resources of this area is regulated by the international agreements of NAFO. GOALS Estimation of abundance and biomass indices of the target species, as well as the study and analysis of the demographic structure of their populations and the oceanographic conditions in the Bank.

Annually, the European Union develops two research campaigns in the area of ¿¿NAFO (North Atlantic Fisheries Organization), one in the 3NO division and another in the 3M and 3L (Flemish Cap Series). This campaign is part of a historical series in order to provide indices for the evaluation of the stock of halibut and other groundfish species in the area such as flounder, redfish, grenadier, cod or shrimp. The Flemish Cap bank is an isolated bank of the American coastal platform with an area greater than 10,000 square miles and is located outside of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Canada. The exploitation of the resources of this area is regulated by the international agreements of NAFO. GOALS Estimation of abundance and biomass indices of the target species, as well as the study and analysis of the demographic structure of their populations and the oceanographic conditions in the Bank.

Annually, the European Union develops two research campaigns in the area of ¿¿NAFO (North Atlantic Fisheries Organization), one in the 3NO division and another in the 3M and 3L (Flemish Cap Series). This campaign is part of a historical series in order to provide indices for the evaluation of the stock of halibut and other groundfish species in the area such as flounder, redfish, grenadier, cod or shrimp. The Flemish Cap bank is an isolated bank of the American coastal platform with an area greater than 10,000 square miles and is located outside of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Canada. The exploitation of the resources of this area is regulated by the international agreements of NAFO. GOALS Estimation of abundance and biomass indices of the target species, as well as the study and analysis of the demographic structure of their populations and the oceanographic conditions in the Bank.