From day 12 to day 31 of the month of April the B / O Vizconde de Eza made the first of a series of multidisciplinary campaigns aimed at improving knowledge of El Cachucho fishing ground, located on the Asturian marginal shelf within the Spanish EEZ. Morpho-sedimentary study of the "El Cachucho" fishing ground and adjacent area. Dynamics and characteristics of water bodies. Characterization of benthic and demersal communities.

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 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.

From day 6 to day 21 of the month of October the B / O Vizconde de Eza made the first of a series of multidisciplinary campaigns aimed at improving knowledge of El Cachucho fishing ground, located on the Asturian marginal shelf within the Spanish EEZ. This fishing ground is characterized by being a very irregular zone, presenting slopes greater than 45 degrees in some areas. The study of benthic communities and demersal fish was supported by exhaustive studies of other disciplines in order to obtain information about their environment and existing trophic relationships. The results obtained, and analyzed separately, of each discipline are of great value due to the unique characteristics of the fishing ground, but the common effort of the participants to relate all the subjects adds to the campaign an incalculable value in the scientific field and unique knowledge for the management of the fishery in the current framework that advocates sustainable development. GOALS Due to the scarce bathymetric information in the fishing grounds, the first part of the campaign focused on obtaining an accurate bathymetry of the study area that served as the basis for the physical, chemical, geological and biological studies that the different participating teams carried out. then. WORK AREA Image of the work area comprising the upper part of the Le Danois bank and the area between this elevation and the Lastres canyon The bank's funds are difficult to access, due to their depth and relief, for most of the instruments that come into contact. This limits the area of ​​the study area. Mainly the works were oriented to the upper part of the bank Le Danois and to the area between this elevation and the Lastres

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 ZEE-2001-EZA campaign was part of the program "OCEANOGRAPHIC HYDROGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE EXCLUSIVE SPANISH ECONOMIC ZONE" (PIHOZE), approved by the Council of Ministers, dated April 22, 1993, and carried out by the Hydrographic Institute of the Navy (IHM) and the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO). The ZEE-2001-EZA campaign aimed to carry out the necessary work to obtain the hydrographic-oceanographic knowledge of the eastern part of the Canarian Archipelago, mainly the areas adjacent to the Islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote and complete the work carried out during the campaigns Zee-98, Zee-99 and Zee-00, carried out aboard the B.I.O. Hesperides

Bathymetry, Seismic work and Geophysical Survey of the submerged Paleolithic of the Cantabrica Sea continental platform

They focus on the seabed research of Mediterranean sea (Spain ), both indirect and direct. Carry out a survey of the fishing beaches to later elaborate fishing charts. Systematic bathymetric survey of the study areas with 100% coating (Multi-beam echo sounder EM-300). seismic profiles according to the ship's defeat (Topas 710 system). Performance of sound velocity profiles in the water column. Side sweep sonar in selected areas. Sediment sampling (Shipeck dredges - Box corer). Sampling of Rocky Outcrops (Rock Dredge).

They focus on the seabed research of Mediterranean sea (Spain ), both indirect and direct. Carry out a survey of the fishing beaches to later elaborate fishing charts. Systematic bathymetric survey of the study areas with 100% coating (Multi-beam echo sounder EM-300). seismic profiles according to the ship's defeat (Topas 710 system). Performance of sound velocity profiles in the water column. Side sweep sonar in selected areas. Sediment sampling (Shipeck dredges - Box corer). Sampling of Rocky Outcrops (Rock Dredge).

Carry out surveys with Side Scan Sonar Sweeping in zonesProposals. They focus on the seabed research of Mediterranean sea (Spain ), both indirect and direct. Carry out a survey of the fishing beaches to later elaborate fishing charts. Systematic bathymetric survey of the study areas with 100% coating (Multi-beam echo sounder EM-300). seismic profiles according to the ship's defeat (Topas 710 system). Performance of sound velocity profiles in the water column. Side sweep sonar in selected areas. Sediment sampling (Shipeck dredges - Box corer). Sampling of Rocky Outcrops (Rock Dredge).