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This study analysed the catches of trap fishing in the Canary Archipelago, NE Atlantic Ocean. This study was conducted from October 2016 to September 2017, April to November 2018 and September 2020, in five ports (San Cristóbal, Taliarte, Castillo del Romeral, Arguineguín and Mogán).The primary gear were traps with small mesh size (31.6 mm) and large mesh size (50.8 mm). A total of 2587 small mesh size traps and 141 large mesh size traps were analysed from 20‐ to 130‐m depth.The main target species were Dentex gibbosus and Stephanolepis hispidus.Catches of traps with large mesh size showed D. gibbosus above first maturity and S. hispidus in small mesh size traps. Both species exhibit larger specimens during reproductive periods.The most effective traps for D. gibbosus (large mesh) were located on the western coast (>30‐m depth), with the highest catch per unit of effort (CPUE) in Mogán (857.7 g trap−1 day−1). The most effective traps for S. hispidus (small mesh) were located in southern areas, especially in sandy habitats (124.9 g trap−1 day−1 in Castillo del Romeral, 102.9 g trap−1 day−1 in Arguineguín).The highest catchability of D. gibbosus was observed in April (CPUE of 962.8 g trap−1 day−1), and the highest catchability of S. hispidus was found in June (CPUE of 165.9 g trap−1 day−1).The traps with small mesh size showed a great selectivity of sizes for S. hispidus; though high catch rates of immature specimens of D. gibbosus pose a threat to species conservation.The management recommendations' proposed measures include revising minimum catch sizes for both species. Additionally, we suggested depth limitations for mesh sizes of traps.The study highlights the need for new management strategies to ensure the conservation of targeted demersal species, with special emphasis on addressing the threat posed by small mesh sizes to immature D. gibbosus.The findings provide valuable insights for adapting fishery management practices to sustainably conserve the targeted species in the Canary Archipelago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the population structure of Conger conger (L.) is scarce, being a limiting factor for fisheries assessment. To make available important baseline information and to test the hypothesis that the population in the mid‐North Atlantic (Azores region) represents a fishery management unit, fishery‐dependent and survey data relating to bathymetric distribution, length composition and movement patterns were examined. Fishing impacts were also evaluated using abundance and size trends over the last 25 years. The greatest abundance was in depths between 300 and 600 m. Sizes ranged from 14 to 260 cm, with larger individuals around seamounts. Tagging data showed a strong sedentary behaviour. Results combined with previous genetic and otolith studies indicated the stock in the Azores may represent a self‐contained population. Abundance and size trends were stable, but the species is considered vulnerable to overfishing due to its biological characteristics. Monitoring and adequate rational resource management are of utmost importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blackbelly rosefish Helicolenus dactylopterus (Delaroche, 1809) is one of the most important species of the demersal/deep‐water assemblages fished in the NE Atlantic Ocean (Azores archipelago). However, there is insufficient information about the stock structure of this species to support analytical resource assessments and it is currently managed with a precautionary approach. Here, we examine the depth and temporal distribution, size composition, sex, and movement patterns of blackbelly rosefish in order to test the hypothesis that the stock structure in the Azores region comprises different local management units (MUs). We also evaluate annual abundance indices and size composition from scientific surveys and commercial landings over the past c. 25 years for an assessment of the species' vulnerability to bottom longline fishing pressure. The greatest abundance occurred in seamount areas at 350–800 m depth. Larger individuals were mainly found in deeper waters, and no sexual segregation by depth was observed. Tagging results indicated a strongly sedentary behavior and an intraregional separation among populations. Although the abundance pattern and size composition were very similar over time, this species is particularly vulnerable to overfishing due to its biological characteristics (long life, large size, late maturity, slow growth, and low mortality rate). Proper monitoring and management of its exploitation should be a priority. Exploratory analysis for analytical assessment should be performed under the assumption of local MUs. Further oceanographic research is needed to understand larval transport and mixing of populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarises the detailed information on catch, fork length, weight, sex and maturity of alfonsinos Beryx splendens and Beryx decadactylus collected from targeted surveys in Azores waters, complemented by fishery data, over the past c. 20 years. To date, it was not possible to define if the Azorean component of the population can be considered as a discrete local management unit. The reason for this is the lack of available information for these resources covering the entire spatial distribution of the species in the North Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, there are some conflicts between the different genetic results available, poor understanding about the species movements and data from the Azores show some discrepancies in aspects of reproduction. Consequently, there is no analytical assessment for this resource and the stock of Beryx spp. is currently managed based on the precautionary approach. Outputs of recent analyses are presented in this study and possible assumptions and strategies for the assessment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Globally, small‐scale inshore fisheries are being recognized as highly beneficial for underdeveloped coastal communities since they directly contribute to local economies. Community coastal fisheries, however, may target species that are simultaneously harvested by large commercial vessels in adjacent offshore waters, creating uncertainty over stock units and connectivity that complicate management. Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, a commercially important flatfish species in the Arctic, were tagged in Scott Inlet, coastal Baffin Island, Canada, with acoustic transmitters and tracked for a 1‐year period. Our aim was to measure fish movement and connectivity between inshore habitats, where Inuit fisheries are developing, and offshore waters, where an established commercial fishery operates. Four movement metrics were established, and cluster analysis and a mixed effects model were used to define movement types and identify environmental covariates of the presence/absence within the coastal environment respectively. Two distinct movement patterns were characterized for Greenland halibut; the majority were transients that were no longer detected inshore by the end of November (n = 47, 72%), and a smaller group of intermittently resident fish that moved into the offshore at the same time as transient fish, but returned to the coastal environment in the winter (n = 8, 12%), with the remainder being undefined. The presence of Greenland halibut in the inshore was negatively correlated with ice cover, indicating that fish moved offshore as sea ice formed. Synthesis and applications. Greenland halibut were previously thought to be highly resident within the coastal environment of Baffin Bay; however, our data demonstrates that this is not true for all areas. In Scott Inlet and adjacent coastal regions, Greenland halibut exhibit complex inshore‐offshore connectivity, suggesting inshore and offshore fisheries require a shared quota. We recommend that in the face of developing global small‐scale coastal fisheries, improved understanding of stock connectivity between environments is required to sustainably manage commercial fish species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, proximate and fatty acid composition in the edible flesh of eight underutilized and five commercial freshwater fish species were compared in order to evaluate the potential of these fish for development of functional value-added fishery products. The lipid content (% dry weight basis) of investigated fish species ranged from 3.44 to 9.25 in underutilized and 3.73-7.68 in commercial species. In comparison with underutilized fish species, commercial species had higher levels of protein ( P < 0.05). The high proportion of EPA+DHA was found with Goldfish (524 mg/100 g flesh), Wels (422 mg/100 g flesh), and Crucian carp (354 mg/100 g flesh), all of which belonged to underutilized group. All studied fish (save Lenkoran) showed values higher than the minimum recommended DHA/EPA value (0.45). The ratios of n-6/n-3 found in this study were much lower (save Goatfish) than those cited as a harmful value (4.0 as the maximum value). The PUFA/SFA value of the present fish samples was higher at 1.57 for Goatfish, 1.02 for Lenkoran, 0.68 for Wels, all of these fish belonging to the underutilized group. The highest atherogenic and thrombogenicity index values were generally obtained for commercial species. It seems in respect of comparability of these lipid quality indicators, the underutilized fish species could be highly recommended as an important source of polyunsaturated fatty acids and Max-EPA products for humans consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]