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A Before–Intermediate–After Multiple Sites (BIAMS) analysis, namely a modified version of the Before–After–Control–Impact (BACI) approach, was used to evaluate the possible effects of fishery management measures implemented in the Pomo/Jabuka Pits area, a historically highly exploited ground for Italian and Croatian fisheries, whose impact may have contributed over the years to the modification of the ecosystem. Since 2015, the area was subject to fishing regulations changing the type of restrictions over time and space, until the definitive establishment in 2018 of a Fishery Restricted Area. These changes in the regulatory regime result in complex signals to be interpreted. The analysis was carried out on abundance indices (i.e., kg/km2 and N/km2) of five commercially or ecologically relevant species, obtained in the period 2012–2019 from two annual trawl surveys. BIAMS was based on the selection of a Closure factor, declined in three levels (i.e., BEFORE/INTERMEDIATE/AFTER) and accounting for regulation changes in time, and on three adjacent strata (i.e., “A”, “B”, and “ext ITA”) a posteriori determined according to the latest regulations. BIAMS allowed us to identify early effects (i.e., changes in abundances), overcoming the unavailability of a proper independent control site; furthermore, the selection of adjacent strata allowed the inference of possible interactions among them.

Independence of science and best available science are fundamental pillars of the UN-FAO code of conduct for responsible fisheries and are also applied to the European Union (EU) Common Fishery Policy (CFP), with the overarching objective being the sustainable exploitation of the fisheries resources. CFP is developed by DG MARE, the department of the European Commission responsible for EU policy on maritime affairs and fisheries, which has the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) as consultant body. In the Mediterranean and Black Sea, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (FAO-GFCM), with its own Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries (GFCM-SAC), plays a critical role in fisheries governance, having the authority to adopt binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management. During the last years, advice on the status of the main stocks in the Mediterranean and Black Sea has been provided both by GFCM-SAC and EU-STECF, often without a clear coordination and a lack of shared rules and practices. This has led in the past to: i) duplications of the advice on the status of the stocks thus adding confusion in the management process and, ii) a continuous managers’ interference in the scientific process by DG MARE officials hindering its transparency and independence. Thus, it is imperative that this stalemate is rapidly resolved and that the free role of science in Mediterranean fisheries assessment and management is urgently restored to assure the sustainable exploitation of Mediterranean marine resources in the future., SI

In this study, we examined the seasonal association between Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations and mRNA expression profiles of some antioxidant genes (i.e. CAT, GST and SOD), as well as lipid peroxidation (LPO), in muscle of sexually inactive females of red mullet (Mullus barbatus). Fish were captured in a fishery area of the Northern Adriatic Sea during both winter and summer. We found significantly (p < 0.05) higher ?HMW-PAHs concentrations in muscle of specimens caught during winter than summer. On the basis of sampling season, red mullets exhibited different gene expression profiles of antioxidant enzymes showing lower levels of both CAT and GST in winter than in summer. Accordingly, CAT was found to be negatively associated with ?PAH concentrations, especially ?LMW-PAH, in individuals collected during winter. Seasonal-related downregulation of some oxidative stress biomarker expression is suggestive of greater susceptibility of red mullets to PAHs during winter.

Bianchetto [“white” late-larval and juvenile stages (‘fry’) mainly of sardine (Sardina pilchardus)] was fished traditionally along most of the Italian coast. The Gulf of Manfredonia (southwest Adriatic Sea) hosts a sardine nursery which was historically exploited by the bianchetto fishery using trawlnets; the fishery was banned in 2010. Here, we model this larval fishery under different assumptions of catch and natural mortality to assess its impact on the adult sardine stocks in the Adriatic Sea. The results show that the impact of the fishery is heavily dependent on the choice of early-stage natural mortality. The model proposed by Pepin (1991). Effect of temperature and size on development, mortality, and survival rates of the pelagic early life history stages of marine fish. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 48: 503–518. was selected as the most plausible. Under this assumption, the direct effect of the bianchetto fishery in the Gulf of Manfredonia on the Adriatic adult sardine stock appears to be low, but not negligible, with impacts estimated as a 0.1–2% increase in the numbers of sardine at age 1 in the absence of a bianchetto fishery. Projections show that a 5% impact on age 1 sardine may be sufficient to bring the adult stock below safe levels. Therefore, given the uncertainties surrounding the impact assessment and the current status of the stock, if this fishery were to be resumed, catches should be kept at the lowest possible level until the underlying processes are better understood.

This study evaluates the effects of biological factors of fish and seasonality on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) tissue. Specimens were collected monthly with a bottom trawl net in an offshore fishing ground in the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea (Geographical Sub Area 17) throughout 2016. The edible fillets of 380 individuals were analyzed for the concentrations of individual PAH, total PAH, and low, medium and high molecular weight (MW) PAHs. PAH bioaccumulation was related to their physicochemical characteristics (MW, and logarithm of the octanol-water partition coefficient, log Kow), some biological parameters of fish (body size, age, sex, reproductive stage and total lipid content), and catch season. The PAH bioaccumulation pattern and the effects of the different factors varied according to PAH MW. The heavier (medium and high MW) PAHs showed higher levels in winter-autumn and in pre-spawners compared with spawners and post-spawners. Our findings suggest that an important detoxification mechanism, albeit limited to the heavier PAHs, acts in the spawning and post-spawning stage. Low MW PAHs appeared to be unaffected by reproductive stage, lipid content and seasonality. Reproductive stage and seasonality seem to play an important role in the accumulation of heavier PAH, whereas total lipid content and age seem to exert a limited influence, and body size no effect at all.

The aim of the paper is to assess the accuracy for physical oceanography purposes of some commercial sensors (Star-Oddi and NKE) installed on fishing boats in the Adriatic Sea. When mounted on fishing gears, they can retrieve huge amounts of daily datasets (temperature, depth and salinity), spanning a very large spatial region. The possibility to establish their accuracy would be of extreme importance for physical oceanography studies since it would be almost impossible to obtain the same amount of data by means of cruises onboard Research Vessels. Comparison tests against a calibrated {CTD} were performed during several surveys. Summarizing, the data collected by Star-Oddi sensors are useful only considering the data portion where a dwell time at a fixed depth permanence is longer than 50 s, while those collected by {NKE} sensors are much more accurate for both depth and temperature and could be usefully considered for broader oceanographic purposes. The weak point of the {NKE} sensors is the salinity measurement. The evaluation carried out in the present study underlined the optimal conditions for the usage of the considered sensors and produced a series of offsets that might be used to enhance the accuracy of the recorded datasets.

Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) is one of the most important crustacean species in terms of landings and commercial value for the Adriatic Sea. In this zone, this stock is composed by two different subpopulations, characterised by different growth features. This study focus on the biology of individuals from the two most important fishing grounds of the area, namely the “off Ancona” area and the Pomo/Jabuka pits. The size at the onset of first maturity (SOM) for both males and females were determined by means of macroscopic techniques: gonad tissue was examined for females, whereas the relation between carapace length and appendix masculina (length and width) was investigated for males. The estimated SOMs underline the differences between these two subpopulations, even if only the relationship between the carapace length and the length of the appendix masculina of the Pomo/Jabuka pits is statistically sound. Males from the Pomo/Jabuka pits mature at carapace length (CL) between 24.33 ± 0.32 and 25.39 ± 0.81 mm, corresponding to the SOM estimated respectively from the length and the width of the appendix masculina. Estimated L50 for females is 21.14 mm CL within the Pomo/Jabuka pits and 30.83 mm CL in the “off Ancona” area. These results underline the fact that the subpopulations living in the “off Ancona” fishing ground matures at bigger length compared to that one inhabiting the Pomo/Jabuka pits. This is in line with the other analysis carried out within this study, that show the presence of larger individuals in the “off Ancona” fishing ground, whereas small individuals characterize the Pomo/Jabuka pits. These differences have to be taken into account when managing this stock.

The main aim of the present study is to increase the knowledge on the seasonal dynamics of the set gears used by Adriatic small-scale fisheries (SSFs) through the collation of data (landings, fishing effort, composition of catches, length-frequency distributions of target species and economic value of landings) on target species,. The study focused on the three set gears mainly used in the basin: gillnets, trammel nets and traps. The results confirmed that SSFs are diverse, complex and dynamic, representing an economic and social engine and providing seafood and employment to local economies. In the Adriatic Sea, SSFs exploit coastal fishing grounds where the seasonal fluctuations of the physical and chemical parameters of the water column strongly influence the occurrence of the different species. Because of this, many different types of set gears are currently used to catch a pool of target species over the year. Fishermen use more than one set gear during the year and tend to increase the fishing effort when the target species concentrate inside the coastal areas during the recruitment or the spawning season. Accordingly, landings reached the highest values during such periods and often include a large portion of juveniles and/or spawners. The study highlighted that the lack of appropriate data and complete statistics is still one of the main constraints for most of the Adriatic coastal countries, as few countries have in place routinely monitoring programs while others are dealing mostly with estimates. These gaps often have the effect of marginalizing and undervaluing the real role of SSFs in a Blue Growth process.

Teleosts have many spawning strategies and the hormonal control of gametogenesis is not well defined among the species or even, between sexes. To increase the knowledge of gonadotropin hormones, we studied the trend by gene expression of gonadotropin receptors in the follicles and testis at different maturity stages in the European hake (Merluccius merluccius), a multiple-spawning species. With this aim, fshr and lhr were sequenced, characterized, and their gene expression was quantified in oocytes and in testes at different maturity stages. The deduced amino acid sequences were used to phylogenetic studies and evidenced that both receptors are phylogenetically closed to other gadoid species. The gene expression of both receptors was poorly expressed in primary follicles, increased in vitellogenic follicles and to later decrease in hydrated oocytes. In testis, highest levels of lhr were detected during spermiation, while levels of fshr were constant. For the first time, a histological analysis was performed in European hake testes showing an unrestricted lobular testis. To better elucidate the mechanisms involved in the oogenesis of the European hake, the expression of estrogen receptor and cyp19a was also investigated displaying high levels in all classes of follicles. All these data allow to increase the knowledge on reproductive physiology of an important socioeconomical species and it seeks to shed more light on the role of the receptors here studied during gametogenesis of multiple-spawning fish.

Reduction of complexity and capacity to evaluate management strategies are important considerations when modelling complex ecosystems. Models of Intermediate Complexity for Ecosystem assessments (MICE) achieve this by representing interactions among a restricted number of crucial species in the ecosystem considered. {MICE} applications are question-driven, heavily dependent on available data for conditioning and aimed at addressing tactical issues. Here we present the development of a {MICE} for the central Adriatic Sea. This area is important ecologically and economically because it supports a commercial stock of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), and a nursery ground for European hake (Merluccius merluccius), as well as being subjected to high levels of fishing pressure. Here, Italian and Croatian bottom trawl fisheries mainly target Norway lobster while impacting juvenile hake. Single-species stock assessments for the target species indicate fluctuating trends between 2006 and 2013, as do the survey biomass trends of most of their prey, underlining the need for a multispecies management plan. The diet of the target species were examined and prey items partitioned into four groups. Consumption of prey groups by predators was modelled using a Holling Type {II} functional response. A modified biomass dynamic model was used to represent the prey dynamics, projecting them into the future for 10 years (2013-2022) and testing different management strategies, including a discard ban. The most effective management option was the protection of larger individuals, which led to a clear improvement in the stock abundance and spawning stock biomass of both hake and Norway lobster without significant adverse effects on their prey. The discard ban scenario appeared to have knock-on effects on both predators and some of their prey.

In vertebrates, the regulation of gametogenesis is under the control of gonadotropins (Gth), follicle-stimulating hormone (Fsh) and luteinizing hormone (Lh). In fish, the physiological role of Gths is not fully understood, especially in species with asynchronous ovarian development. To elucidate the role of Gths in species with asynchronous ovary, we studied European hake (Merluccius merluccius) during the reproductive season. For this aim, we first cloned and sequenced both hormones. Then, we characterized their amino acid sequence and performed phylogenetic analyses to verify the relationship to their orthologues in other species. In addition, the quantification of gene expression during their natural reproductive season was analyzed in wild-caught female hake. Our results revealed that fshb peaked during the vitellogenic phase, remaining high until spawning. This is in contrast to the situation in species with synchronous ovary. lhb, on the other hand, peaked during maturation as it is also common in species with synchronous ovarian development. Finally, combining double-labeling fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for Gth mRNAs with immunofluorescence for Lh protein, we evidenced the specific expression of fshb and lhb in different cells within the proximal pars distalis (PPD) of the pituitary. In addition to gonadotrope cells specific to expression of either fshb or lhb, some cells showed co-expression of both genes. This suggests either that gonadotropes with co-expression are not yet specified or they could have a plasticity that permits changes from one cell phenotype to another during certain life stages and in turn during different physiological states.

In the present study the genetic variability of European sardine from Adriatic and Ionian seas was investigated in order to detect the occurrence of genetic structure within and between these basins. In several samples the analysis of genetic variability at eight microsatellite loci showed a number of homozygote individuals higher than expected at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The inter-population differentiation level estimated by AMOVA, qST and r R ST and Bayesian descriptors detected no signs of population differentiation between the samples analysed. These results are consistent with previous studies based on allozymes and several mitochondrial DNA markers and add further evidence contradicting the early identification, based on morphological and reproductive data, of two sub-populations in the Adriatic Sea.

It is well known that temporal fluctuations in small populations deeply influence evolutionary potential. Less well known is whether fluctuations can influence the evolutionary potentials of species with large census sizes. Here, we estimated genetic population parameters from as survey of polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci in archived otoliths from Adriatic European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), a fish with large census sizes that supports numerous local fisheries. Stocks have fluctuated greatly over the past few decades, and the Adriatic fishery collapsed in 1987. Our results show a significant reduction of mean genetic parameters as a consequence of the population collapse. In addition, estimates of effective population size (N-e) are much smaller than those expected in a fishes with large population census sizes (N-c). Estimates of N-e indicate low effective population sizes, even before the population collapse. The ratio N-e/N-e ranged between 10(-6) and 10(-8), indicating a large discrepancy between the anchovy gene pool and population census size. Therefore, anchovy populations may be more vulnerable to fishery effort and environmental change than previously thought.

The sustained exploitation of marine populations requires an understanding of a species' adaptive seascape so that populations can track environmental changes from short- and long-term climate cycles and from human development. The analysis of the distributions of genetic markers among populations, together with correlates of life-history and environmental variability, can provide insights into the extent of adaptive variation. Here, we examined genetic variability among populations of mature European anchovies (n = 531) in the Adriatic (13 samples) and Tyrrhenian seas (2 samples) with neutral and putative non-neutral microsatellite loci. These genetic markers failed to confirm the occurrence of two anchovy species in the Adriatic Sea, as previously postulated. However, we found fine-scale population structure in the Adriatic, especially in northern areas, that was associated with four of the 13 environmental variables tested. Geographic gradients in sea temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen appear to drive adaptive differences in spawning time and early larval development among populations. Resolving adaptive seascapes in Adriatic anchovies provides a means to understand mechanisms underpinning local adaptation and a basis for optimizing exploitation strategies for sustainable harvests.

The National Research Council of Italy (CNR) has been undertaking scientific and technological activities aimed at implementing intelligent and automated systems for the collection of data in support of oceanography and fisheries science, as well as providing services for fishing operators. Two independent operational units autonomously developed two original devices, the Fishery Observing System (FOS) and the Information and Communications Technology kit (ICT-kit), recently converging towards a new modular system named the Fishery and Oceanography Observing System (FOOS) that can be adapted to fit the specific research needs of the areas in which it is used. This paper reports the development process and describes the two applications in use in Italy.

36 pages, A trophic mass-balance model was developed to characterise the food web structure and functioning of the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea and to quantify the ecosystem impacts of fishing during the 1990s. Forty functional groups were described, including target and non-target fish and invertebrate groups, and three detritus groups (natural detritus, discards and by-catch of cetaceans and marine turtles). Results highlighted that there was an important coupling between pelagic–benthic production of plankton, benthic invertebrates and detritus. Organisms located at low and medium trophic levels, (i.e. benthic invertebrates, zooplankton and anchovy), as well as dolphins, were identified as keystone groups of the ecosystem. Jellyfish were an important element in terms of consumption and production of trophic flows within the ecosystem. The analysis of trophic flows of zooplankton and detritus groups indirectly underlined the importance of the microbial food web in the Adriatic Sea., Fishing activities inflicted notable impacts on the ecosystem during the 1990s, with a high gross efficiency of the fishery, a high consumption of fishable production, high exploitation rates for various target and non target species, a low trophic level of the catch and medium values of primary production required to sustain the fishery. Moreover, the analysis of Odum's ecological indicators highlighted that the ecosystem was in a low-medium developmental stage. Bottom trawling (Strascico), mid-water trawling (Volante) and beam trawling (Rapido) fleets had the highest impacts on both target and non target ecological groups. On the contrary, purse seining (Lampara) showed medium to low impacts on the ecosystem; cetaceans, marine turtles and sea birds were not significantly involved in competition with fishing activity, This work has been possible under a bilateral Cooperative-Agreement between CNR (Italy) and CSIC (Spain). During the work, M.C. was supported financially by a FPI fellowship from the MYCT of the Spanish Government

Mid-water pair trawling (PTM) targeting small pelagic resources represents a key fishing activity in the Adriatic Sea. This fishery is experiencing a long period of crisis due to resource depletion and the lack of appropriate market strategies, and vessels spend most of the time searching for fishing schools. The searching strategy largely depends on the interaction between vessels: the captains of the {PTM} units take their decision also checking the position and the fishing status of other vessels. Understanding this strategy represents a key step towards a more effective resource management, since strategies directly determine the pattern of fishing effort. A Conditional Logit model has been devised to analyze fishermen's strategy as a non-cooperative game. This category of games is characterized by the existence of (at least) one equilibrium point - a Nash Equilibrium - in which each player plays his strategy, that is a Best Response to the strategies of the other players. This equilibrium point was estimated for the different scenarios defined by environmental (sea surface temperature and atmospheric pressure) and economic (fuel and fish prices at market) variables. Vessel Monitoring System data were used to capture fleet activity, while different datasets were collected to reconstruct environmental and economic drivers. Results indicate a good predictive power of the model, and suggest that the equilibrium strategy that guides units' behaviour is invariant with respect to environmental conditions, whereas it is largely influenced by economic factors. These latter, via strategies, may determine important consequences on the resources in terms of exploited areas and the impact of fishing activity. In particular, a low fuel price when fish price is high leads to higher values of CPUE, and then to a more efficient but also impacting fishing activity.

Analytical stock assessment of sardine ( Sardina pilchardus , Walb.) in the Adriatic Sea from 1975 to 1999 was performed taking into account the occurrence of discarding at sea of sardine caught by the Italian fleet. We have attempted to model the fishermen’s behaviour using data collected by an observer on board fishing vessels. This enabled us to estimate the amounts of discards, which were added to the catches landed, collected by ISMAR-CNR Ancona. Discards were calculated for the period 1987-1999, as their values were negligible before 1987. Stock assessment on the entire data series from 1975-1999 was carried out by means of Virtual Population Analysis (VPA). Discarding behaviour differs among ports due to different local customs and market conditions. The quantity added to the annual total catch ranged from 900 tonnes to 4000 tonnes, corresponding to between 2% and 15% of the total corrected catch. VPAs indicated that mid-year sardine stock biomass rose steadily from 400,000 tonnes in 1975 to a peak of 950,000 tonnes in 1984. Subsequently, biomass declined steadily to the more recent values, around 300,000 tonnes. Although discarded quantities were relatively high, their influence on stock assessment was not strong because of the high level of both catch and, in particular, estimated biomass at sea.

Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus, L.) is one of the most important commercial species of the northern and central Adriatic Sea. The mean annual catch of anchovy estimated by IRPEM for these areas, in the time interval 1975-1996, is equal to 25,000 tonnes. Estimates of anchovy stock biomass at sea in the time interval 1975-1996 were obtained using two population dynamics methods based on different data inputs: Virtual Population Analysis (VPA) and the DeLury model with recruitment index. VPA was carried out tuning the estimated fishing mortality rate at age by fitting on corresponding Catch Per Unit of fishing Effort (CPUE). Both VPA and the DeLury model yielded sensible results. The effect on the assessments due to the use of a different birth date and thus of split-year data was investigated. Biomass values as well as patterns over time so estimated were similar on the basis of both assessment methods and calendar year versus split-year data. In particular, the biomass in more recent years (around 100,000 tonnes) was lower than in the second half of the 1970s and first half of the 1980s (over 200,000 tonnes). The minimum value (lower than 50,000 tonnes) was always estimated in 1987, when a strong drop in the catch and crisis of the anchovy fishery took place. Though high values of both fishing effort and fishing mortality/exploitation rate were obtained for some years before 1987, very low levels of recruitment in 1986 and 1987 seem to be mainly responsible for the collapse of the stock.

Chronic toxicity tests carried out on species of the genus Daphnia (Crustacea: Cladocera) are bioassays commonly used in ecotoxicology. Mortality in the cohorts exposed to toxicants can be examined by the analysis of survival curves. The shape of these curves may be very different because of inter-individual heterogeneity: the less rectangular is the shape the more different is the probability of dying of daphnids in the cohort. Aim of this paper is to analyze the characteristics—in particular the shape—of survival curves of cohorts of Daphnia magna exposed to heavy metals in chronic toxicity tests. Experimental curves were fitted by a mathematical model recently proposed, which puts emphasis just on this heterogeneity, described by the parameter of the model S0: The information contained in S0 is very useful for the present purposes: the higher the value of S0 the less rectangular the shape of the curve and, as a consequence, the higher the age-at-death heterogeneity of the cohort is thought to be. The model contains a second parameter, o; representing the maximum potential ability of the individuals to survive in a specific environment and is related with the maximal life span. The model fitted well the survival curves in most cases and both S0 and o showed statistically different values between treatments, useful for comparisons. It was concluded that S0 provides a quantitative estimation of curve ‘‘rectangularization’’, useful to check different sensitivities to a specific toxicant concentration among daphnids belonging to the same cohort, while o provides an estimate of maximal life span. r 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The present study deals with the analysis of mortality of Daphnia magna in chronic toxicity tests. Linear regression models were used to assess the possibility of predicting the probabilities of death over the long term on the basis of those recorded early in the toxicity test. The results based on data from toxicity tests with cadmium and pyridine, which yielded different mortality patterns over time, indicate that such predictions are practicable. These results suggest the feasibility of performing empirical relationships which would enable toxicologists to predict mortality over 21 days (usual length of the Daphnia magna chronic toxicity tests) and/or longer using the information obtained from shorter exposure to toxicants.

We analyzed data from catch statistics, scientific surveys and results from ecosystem models to assess main changes in marine resources of the North-Central Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean) from the mid 1970s to the early 2000s. We then quantified food-web changes using these datasets and trophodynamic indicators. We applied time series trends and a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to reduce the number of multivariate dimensions and to define ecosystem reference directions. To assess the correlation between ecological indicators and abiotic (human or environmental) factors, we used the non-parametric BIO-ENV procedure. Results illustrated a general decrease in the biomass and catch of target species with time, with a first phase of increasing catch and biomass of some organisms from the 1970s to the 1980s, a 'fishing down the food web' process during the 1980s, and a clear trend towards biomass and catch reductions during the late 1990s and early 2000s. These changes occurred in parallel with an increase in fishing effort and human development in the basin and changes in environmental factors such as an increase in the average annual sea water temperature, a decrease in the inflow of highly saline Mediterranean water into the Adriatic Sea, and changes in the atmospheric pressure at sea level. We found a high and significant correlation between ecological indicators and abiotic factors (in particular with human factors: fishing effort and the human development index). Results from the PCA summarized main ecosystem trends and could be used as a reference framework. These results complement traditional single-species fisheries assessments and inform on past trajectories and present ecological status of the North-Central Adriatic Sea, This work was made possible by a bilateral Cooperative-Agreement between the CNR (Italy) and the CSIC (Spain). The EU project SESAME contract no. 036949-2 that allowed the continuation of this work is greatly acknowledged. M.C. was supported financially by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, and by the European Community Marie-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship through the International Outgoing Fellowships (Call: FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-1-IOF) to ECOFUN

13 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, This study presents a comparative analysis of protected and exploited Mediterranean Sea food webs using standardized ecological models of two ecosystems: the Central-North Adriatic Sea (highly exploited) and the Miramare Natural Marine Reserve (Northern Adriatic Sea, protected since 1986). Food webs are analysed in terms of structural and functional traits including trophic levels, transfer efficiency, trophic role of species and keystoneness, trophic spectra and other synthetic ecological indicators. Our results highlight similarities between food webs of the Adriatic Sea, differences that are likely due to the impact of fishing and differences that should be related to other factors. Analysis of biomass distribution along functional groups and of trophic spectra indicates that protected area presents higher mean trophic level of the community, higher biomasses, lower production and generally lower transfer efficiency than fished area. Our results indicate that measures of food web complexity (system omnivory index and ascendency), as well as pelagic/demersal and fish/invertebrates biomass ratios are higher in the protected area than in exploited ecosystem due to fishing-induced changes. Thus, this study highlights that marine protected areas can efficiently contribute to maintain structural and functional traits of marine ecosystems, This work was developed within the context of the SESAME project—EC Contract No. GOCE-036949, funded by the Sixth Framework Programme. M.C. was supported financially by postdoctoral fellowships from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology and by the European Community Marie-Curie Post-doctoral Fellowship through the International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) (Call: FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-1-IOF) to the ECOFUN project

21 pages, 9 figures, 5 tables, We used a process-oriented model (Ecosim) to characterize changes in marine resources in the north-central (NC) Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean) from 1975 to 2002, and to explore the extent to which these changes were driven by trophic interactions, environment and fishing. Fishing efforts and fishing mortalities were used to drive the ecosystem model, and available biomass and catch data were compared to the model predictions. We calibrated and assessed the fit of the model using the sum of the squared deviations of the observed and predicted biomass values. Trophodynamic indicators were then calculated and used to analyse changes to the ecosystem. Trophic interactions, fishing, and environmental conditions were important driving factors of the ecosystem. Predictions from the model adequately matched observed biomass and catch data for each year. Observed trends and predicted data for biomasses decreased with time for several species, including Norway lobster, hake, red mullets, flatfish, and anchovy. The environmental functions resulting from the fitting procedure predicted that primary production and nutrients increased beyond the baseline from 1975 level, and then showed a decrease. They were negatively correlated with mean sea surface temperature and positively correlated with the Mediterranean Oscillation Index. Our results suggested that the NC Adriatic ecosystem became more degraded over time due to expanding fishing effort, bottom-up effects, and climatic anomalies. Possible mechanisms involved are discussed. Comparing our findings with descriptions of the south Catalan Sea ecosystem showed certain similarities between these 2 Mediterranean ecosystems and revealed unique features of the Adriatic Sea, This work was made possible by a bilateral co-operative-agreement between the Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR), Italy, and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Ciencia e Investigación (CSIC), Spain. The integrated project ’Site Effect Assessment Using Ambient Excitations’ (SESAME) contract no. 036949-2, supported by the European Commission’s Sixth Framework Programme, Sustainable Development, Global Change and Ecosystems, which allowed the continuation of this work, is greatly acknowledged. During part of the work, M.C. was supported financially by doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education and Science, and by Dalhousie University (Canada)

Barangé, Manuel ... et al., The assessment and management of small pelagic fish (SPF) stocks is particularly difficult and uncertain because their short life expectancy, characteristic aggregative behavior, rapid response to climate and environmental signals and large and variable natural mortality make them less tractable through traditional population dynamic models and assumptions. In this review we summarize the assessment and management approaches applied in 29 SPF stocks or management units (12 anchovy, 10 sardine, 4 herring, and 3 sprat). The review demonstrates that the assessment and management of SPF varies substantially in its approach and performance between stocks and regions. Most stocks have a scientific assessment program in place and a management approach that generally takes into account assessment results, but in some stocks management practices deviate substantially from scientific advice and in some, assessment and management processes are largely disconnected. It is concluded that only properly tailored scientific assessment and management programs can provide the speed of response and the flexibility of management that highly variable SPF demand. The most effective monitoring programs are based on fishery-independent surveys (daily egg production or/and hydroacoustics), while analyses based on catch per unit effort offer limited value. Most assessments, defined as what management uses to base its decisions on, rely on catch-at-age or yield per recruit models. Harvest strategies range from those driven by harvest control rules to those derived from outputs of best assessment runs. Some stocks use operating models based on age–structure model outputs or forward VPA. On the issue of scientific uncertainty some practitioners propose reducing it through additional science and measures, while others promote the development of management procedures robust to uncertainty

Fishery Observing System (FOS) was developed as a first and basic step towards fish stock abundance nowcasting/forecasting within the framework of the EU research program Mediterranean Forecasting System: Toward an Environmental Prediction (MFSTEP). The study of the relationship between abundance and environmental parameters also represents a crucial point towards forecasting. Eight fishing vessels were progressively equipped with FOS instrumentation to collect fishery and oceanographic data. The vessels belonged to different harbours of the Central and Northern Adriatic Sea. For this pilot application, anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus, L.) was chosen as the target species. Geo-referenced catch data, associated with in-situ temperature and depth, were the FOS products but other parameters were associated with catch data as well. MFSTEP numerical circulation models provide many of these data. In particular, salinity was extracted from re-analysis data of numerical circulation models. Satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll were also used as independent variables. Catch and effort data were used to estimate an abundance index (CPUE – Catch per Unit of Effort). Considering that catch records were gathered by different fishing vessels with different technical characteristics and operating on different fish densities, a standardized value of CPUE was calculated. A spatial and temporal average CPUE map was obtained together with a monthly mean time series in order to characterise the variability of anchovy abundance during the period of observation (October 2003–August 2005). In order to study the relationship between abundance and oceanographic parameters, Generalized Additive Models (GAM) were used. Preliminary results revealed a complex scenario: the southern sector of the domain is characterised by a stronger relationship than the central and northern sector where the interactions between the environment and the anchovy distribution are hidden by a higher percentage of variability within the system which is still unexplained. GAM analysis showed that increasing the number of explanatory variables also increased the portion of variance explained by the model. Data exchange and interdisciplinary efforts will therefore be crucial for the success of this research activity.

Fishery Observing System (FOS) was developed as a first and basic step towards fish stock abundance nowcasting/forecasting within the framework of the EU research program Mediterranean Forecasting System: Toward an Environmental Prediction (MFSTEP). The study of the relationship between abundance and environmental parameters also represents a crucial point towards forecasting. Eight fishing vessels were progressively equipped with FOS instrumentation to collect fishery and oceanographic data. The vessels belonged to different harbours of the Central and Northern Adriatic Sea. For this pilot application, anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus, L.) was chosen as the target species. Geo-referenced catch data, associated with in-situ temperature and depth, were the FOS products but other parameters were associated with catch data as well. MFSTEP products numerical circulation models provide many of these data. In particular, salinity was extracted from re-analysis data of numerical circulation models. Satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll were also used as independent variables. Catch and effort data were used to estimate an abundance index (CPUE – Catch per Unit of Effort). Considering that catch records were gathered by different fishing vessels with different technical characteristics and operating on different fish densities, a standardized value of CPUE was calculated. A spatial and temporal average CPUE map was obtained together with a monthly mean time series in order to characterise the variability of anchovy abundance during the period of observation (October 2003–August 2005). In order to study the relationship between abundance and oceanographic parameters, Generalized Additive Models (GAM) were used. Preliminary results revealed a complex scenario: the southern sector of the domain is characterised by a stronger relationship than the central and northern sector where the interactions between the environment and the anchovy distribution are hidden by a higher percentage of variability within the system which is still unexplained. GAM analysis showed that increasing the number of explanatory variables also increased the portion of variance explained by the model. Data exchange and interdisciplinary efforts will therefore be crucial for the success of this research activity.

The present study deals with the analysis of fecundity in Daphnia magna in chronic toxicity tests. Regression models were used to assess the possibility of predicting Fecundity values over the long term on the basis of growth values recorded early in the toxicity test. The results based on data from toxicity tests with pyridine, cadmium and chromium (the last at two different food levels), indicate that such predictions are practicable, since the relationship between growth and fecundity is strong and robust under the experimental conditions employed. Damaging effects of toxicants on fecundity over 21 d (the usual length of the Daphnia magna chronic toxicity tests) and/or longer, can be derived from body length recorded in shorter exposure to toxicants. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus is an important fishery resource in the Adriatic Sea. Fluctuating recruitment of young fish to the stock over time can be related to changes in the environ- ment. The trend of anchovy recruitment in the northern and central Adriatic from 1975 to 2001 was analysed with the aim of identifying possible effects related to 5 environmental factors: surface air temperature, surface atmospheric pressure, quadrant specific wind stresses, Po River runoff and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index. Particular emphasis was placed on 1987, a year of anchovy collapse and fishery crisis. Different types of regression models were applied, both linear and non- linear (simple and multiple), with predictor variables being environmental factors and parental stock abundance. Positive relationships of number of recruits with autumnal SSE and ESE wind stress and both annual and autumnal Po River runoff were found, with a strength comparable to the relationship between recruits and parental stock. Low levels of these environmental factors were observed just before the 1987 collapse, together with a high frequency of occurrence of NE winds and an extreme positive value of the NAO index in the previous autumn (which may have been unfavourable to recruitment in 1987). All 5 environmental factors could be related to increased or reduced food availability for young stages of anchovy in autumn.