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Funding: N.C. was funded by a doctoral grant (SFRH/BD/146881/2019) awarded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT). S.S. was supported by Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação (ARDITI) research fellowship in the scope of the H2020 project GoJelly. P.P. was funded by a PhD grant ref. M3.1.a/F/065/2015 by Fundo Regional de Ciência e Tecnologia (FRCT) and the program AÇORES 2020. A post-doctoral research fellowship by ARDITI (ARDITI–M1420-09-5369-FSE-000002) supported J.G.M. F.G. was endorsed by a post-doctoral research fellowship granted by ARDITI in the framework of project RAGES (ARDITI-RAGES-2019-001). R.F. was supported by the funding from project INTERWHALE (PTDC/CCI-COM/0450/2020) by FCT. Doctoral fellowships were financially supported S.C. by ARDITI (ARDITI-M1420-09-5369-FSE-000002). R.S. was supported by a research fellowship in the framework of project PLASMAR+(MAC2/1.1a/347). J.C.-C. is funded by national funds through FCT under the Scientific Employment Stimulus—Institutional Call—[CEECINST/00098/2018]. This work was partially funded by MIMAR+(MAC2/4.6.d/249) in the INTERREG MAC 2014–2020 Programme framework. This study also had the support of Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal, through the strategic project (UIDB/04292/2020) granted to MARE UI&IUIDB/04292/2020. Finally, the present paper benefited from underwater surveys during the expedition ‘MARE@Porto Santo 20200 conducted by MARE-Madeira. Current trends in the global climate facilitate the displacement of numerous marine species from their native distribution ranges to higher latitudes when facing warming conditions. In this work, we analyzed occurrences of a circumtropical reef fish, the spotfin burrfish, Chilomycterus reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1958), in the Madeira Archipelago (NE Atlantic) between 1898 and 2021. In addition to available data sources, we performed an online survey to assess the distribution and presence of this species in the Madeira Archipelago, along with other relevant information, such as size class and year of the first sighting. In total, 28 valid participants responded to the online survey, georeferencing 119 C. reticulatus sightings and confirming its presence in all archipelago islands. The invasiveness of the species was screened using the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit. Five assessments rated the fish as being of medium risk of establishing a local population and becoming invasive. Current temperature trends might have facilitated multiple sightings of this thermophilic species in the Madeira Archipelago. The present study indicates an increase in C. reticulatus sightings in the region. This underlines the need for updated comprehensive information on species diversity and distribution to support informed management and decisions. The spread of yet another thermophilic species in Madeiran waters provides further evidence of an ongoing tropicalization, emphasizing the need for monitoring programs and the potential of citizen science in complementing such programs. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Topshells play a pivotal role in intertidal rocky ecosystems and are adapted to harsh thermal and hydric stress. Phorcus sauciatus, a common grazer in the Macaronesian region (Madeira and the Canaries), has rarely been studied due to its restricted geographic distribution compared with Phorcus lineatus. Monthly samples were taken throughout 2017 to analyse biological parameters and evaluate the harvesting effect on the stocks of this species in Madeira. Individuals of the first age classes (−1, corresponding to a Y/R of 0.023 g. Currently, Phorcus sauciatus seems to be moderately exploited in Madeira, but urgent conservation measures, such as a landing obligation, the establishment of a minimum catch size of 15 mm length, and a closed season (February–May), are warranted to preserve stocks of this species in the medium to long term.

The structure and composition of deep-sea fish assemblages living on the middle slope off NW Africa (26–33° N) were investigated. Data were collected by six commercial trawlers during experimental fishing (1027 hauls) at depths between 800 and 1515 m. A total of 1,115,727 fish specimens, belonging to 37 families and 96 species (24 Elasmobranchii, 5 Holocephali, and 67 Actinopteri) were collected with bottom trawls. The deep-sea demersal fish fauna off NW Africa is dominated by fishes of the family Macrouridae, followed by the Moridae and Alepocephalidae families. The main abundant species were Trachyrincus scabrus , Bathygadus favosus , Mora moro , Alepocephalus productus , Nezumia aequalis and Bathygadus melanobranchus. PERMANOVA analysis showed differences in demersal fish assemblages among bottom types, depth strata and between areas (north and south of parallel 30° N), with the area being the most influential factor followed by the type of substrate. PERMANOVAs computed separately for each area showed significant differences among the bottom types and depths in both areas. SIMPER analysis revealed that B. melanobranchus and B. favosus , which occurred at higher abundances in the area ≥30° N, were the species that were best discriminated between areas; whilst T. scabrus and M. moro occurred at higher abundances in the area N. aequalis , B. favosus , B. melanobranchus , Deania hystricosa , Aphanopus intermedius , Coelorinchus labiatus and Halosaurus johnsonianus were restricted or more abundant in the area ≥30° N, and functioned as the discriminating species that most contributed to the average dissimilarity between areas. T. scabrus , M. moro , Alepocephalus productus and Alepocephalus bairdii were more abundant in the area 2 ) showed a decreasing pattern: i) with depth in both areas, north and south of parallel 30° N, and ii) with depth on each type of substrate, except on cold coral bottoms. Hydrolagus mirabilis , Gadomus dispar , Nettastoma melanurum , Halosaurus ovenii , Chimaera opalescens , A. productus , Hoplostethus mediterraneus , Apristurus laurussonii and Trachyscorpia cristulata echinata showed a deeper Center of Gravity at latitudes ≥30° N, with differences in depths from 299 to 110 m compared to the area at latitudes T. scabrus , Anoplogaster cornuta , B. favosus , Centrophorus squamosus , B. melanobranchus and A. bairdii showed a similar depth Center of Gravity, with differences in depths lower than 21 m.

This study reports new findings of Chimaera opalescens Luchetti, Iglésias et Sellos, 2011, which represent new records of this fish from Madeira and Morocco. The specimens were caught at the depths between 800 and 1221 m. Additional specimens deposited in the Natural History Museum of Funchal (MMF) were also studied as a comparative material and the results are reported herein. The new records of C. opalescens extend the previously known area of distribution of this fish further south.

Fish communities off the seamounts inside the Madeira exclusive economic zone are scarcely known, hence the need to improve this knowledge. A bottom trawl fishing survey targeting orange roughy, Hoplostethus atlanticus Collett, 1889, was carried out on the Lion, Susan, and Unicorn seamounts in the autumn of 2001. The aim of this paper is to give an account of the catches of that survey, during which 9 tows were conducted and 21 deep-sea fish species caught, including species rarely caught. The following fish species were collected: Chlamydoselachus anguineus Garman, 1884; Scymnodon ringens Barbosa du Bocage et de Brito Capello, 1864; Dalatias licha (Bonnaterre, 1788); Centrophorus squamosus (Bonnaterre, 1788); Deania profundorum (Smith et Radcliffe, 1912); Deania hystricosa (Garman, 1906); Serrivomer beanii Gill et Ryder, 1883; Rouleina maderensis Maul, 1948; Argyropelecus gigas Norman, 1930; Chauliodus sloani Bloch et Schneider, 1801; Macroparalepis nigra (Maul, 1965); Neoscopelus microchir Matsubara, 1943; Gadomus arcuatus (Goode et Bean, 1886); Mora moro (Risso, 1810); Melanonus zugmayeri Norman, 1930; Chaunax suttkusi Caruso, 1989; Diretmoides pauciradiatus (Woods, 1973); Hoplostethus mediterraneus Cuvier, 1829; Beryx splendens Lowe, 1834; Epigonus telescopus (Risso, 1810); Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1839. The presence of Diretmoides pauciradiatus was confirmed in the area and Gadomus arcuatus was recorded for the first time from Madeira. Aspects of the life history traits of some of the species caught are presented. This includes a first approach to the estimation of the length–weight relations of 11 deep-water, data-deficient species for which prior information, estimated from data collected, did not exist in FishBase and some new insights about the biology of Hoplostethus mediterraneus.

The deep-sea sharks associated as by-catch of the Madeiran midwater drifting longline fishery for scabbardfishes (Aphanopus spp.) were investigated by means of an experimental survey at 800-1200 m depth within the Canary Islands Exclusive Economic Zone, whose fishing grounds have been exploited during the past 15 years. Nine species of chondrichthyans were identified, belonging to five families: Pseudotriakidae, Centrophoridae, Etmopteridae, Somniosidae and Chimaeridae. Data on length, weight and sex ratio for the 436 chondrichthyan individuals caught in the March 2009 survey are given. Several voucher specimens of each species caught were deposited in the collections of the Natural History Museum of Funchal.

The smalleyed rabbitfish, Hydrolagus affinis (de Brito Capello, 1868) (Chimaeridae), is recorded from the archipelago of Madeira for the first time, based on seven specimens caught between 1200 and 2500 m depth. This record extends the previously known range of distribution of this species, and also confirms its vertical dis - tribution down to 2500 m. Additional material collected from the Canary Islands and the Azores was used for comparison.

7 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, Commercial fishery landings of the black scabbardfish, Aphanopus carbo, from the Madeira mid-water drifting longline fleet (northeastern Atlantic) were studied for 2 years within a Portuguese government programme for fishing management. The process noted that 20% of the total catch corresponded to the intermediate scabbardfish, Aphanopus intermedius. Length-frequency distribution, and age, growth and reproduction of both species were analysed and compared. The results revealed significant differences in age and growth in influencing the length-frequency distributions. Intermediate scabbardfish attained the largest size (148 cm TL) and age (15 years). However, the two species had similar reproductive strategies. According to data published on A. carbo in this region, it is thought to be very likely that previous studies unintentionally mixed both species together in their analyses, This study was co-funded by the Regional Governments of Madeira, Azores and Canaries and the EU ERFD in the project MARPROF PCT MAC 2007-2013, MAC/2/M065). Dr. Victor Tuset works with CSIC within the modality ‘JAE-Postdoc’ of the programme ‘Junta para la Ampliación de Estudios’ co–funded by the European Social Foundation (FSE). We would like to thank the reviewers for their comments and suggestions