Search

Versión del editor 0,0000

The population status of the harbor porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena ) in the Baltic Sea and adjacent regions is still not fully resolved. Here, we present a pilot study using the double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) genotyping- by -sequencing method on specimens from the Baltic Sea, eastern North Sea, Spain and the Black Sea. From a single Illumina lane and a set of 49 individuals, w e obtained around 6000 SNPs. We used these markers to estimate population structure and differentiation, and identified splits between porpoises from the North Sea and the Baltic, and within regions in the Baltic Sea (between the Belt Sea and the Inner Baltic Sea). The SNP analysis confirms population structure elucidated by previous mtDNA/microsatellite studies. We demonstrate the feasibility of SNP analysis on opportunistically sampled cetacean samples, with varying DNA quality, for population diversity and divergence analysis.

Se trata de un libro que pretende divulgar a la sociedad las principales investigaciones multidisciplinares llevadas a cabo por el Instituto Español de Oceanografía durante su primer siglo de vida, y dar a conocer la historia del organismo, de su Sede Central y de los nueve centros oceanográficos repartidos por los litorales mediterráneo y atlántico, en la península y archipiélagos., Kongsberg 200

The abundance of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), sei whales (B. borealis) and minke whales (B. acutorostrata) was estimated from data collected during shipboard sightings surveys conducted as part of CODA and TNASS (Faroese block) in July 2007 in offshore waters of the European Atlantic west of the UK, Ireland, France and Spain, combined with data collected from shipboard and aerial surveys of European Atlantic continental shelf waters conducted as part of SCANS-II in July 2005. Double platform methods employing the trial-configuration method (BT-method) were used in all shipboard surveys. Analysis used Mark-Recapture Distance Sampling to account for animals missed on the transect line. Density surface modelling was undertaken to generate model-based abundance estimates and maps of predicted density. Estimates are presented for the SCANS-II and CODA survey areas. Estimates for the Faroese block of TNASS have been presented elsewhere. The abundance of fin whales in the CODA and SCANS-II areas was estimated as 19,354 (CV 0.24) for identified sightings and 29,512 (CV 0.26) when adjusted to include a proportion of unidentified large whale abundance (which included large baleen and sperm whales), prorated by number of sightings, because there were a large number of such sightings in one of the CODA survey blocks. The model-based estimate of identified fin whales was 19,751 (CV 0.17), more precise than the design-based estimate. Fin whales were mainly found in the southern part of the CODA survey area. Estimates based on identified sightings were comparable to those from the Spanish survey conducted as part of 1989 NASS but were larger if adjusted for a proportion of unidentified large whales. Sei whales were rare except in the southwest of the survey area; the estimate of abundance was 619 (CV 0.34) for identified sightings and 765 (CV 0.43) adjusted for a proportion of unidentified large whales. Minke whale abundance was estimated for shelf and offshore European Atlantic waters as 30,410 (CV 0.34). The model-based estimate was less precise and considerably larger.

Bottlenose dolphins are known to have high dispersal capabilities that could lead to genetic connectivity. However, local resident populations are found worldwide as happens in southern Galicia (NW Spain). The aim of this research is to explore whether population substructure and habitat segregation do exist within the Galician bottlenose dolphin community. In the present study, samples from 43 bottlenose dolphins stranded or by-caught in Galicia between 1994 and 2008 were genotyped at 10 microsatellite loci and sequenced at the highly variable mitochondrial control region. In addition, variability of stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) was assessed for 43 dolphins (5 calves, 38 juveniles and adults) stranded or by-caught in Galicia between 1998 and 2007. Genetic results highlighted the existence of two populations in the area and dolphins from southern Galicia were assigned to a single genetic group. Seven dolphins were classified as possible migrants between putative populations as their genetic makeup did not correspond with their geographical stranding location. Values of δ13C and δ15N were significantly different between the two populations, suggesting resource specialization and partitioning. Dolphins from southern Galicia (inhabiting coastal inlets) showed more variation in their diet, higher trophic levels and greater δ13C compared to animals from northern Galicia (present in more open waters). The existence of fine scale population substructure should be considered in the future designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for the species as required by the European Habitats Directive.

Versión del editor

Since 1994 there have been two major surveys (SCANS and SCANS-II) of the European continental shelf to generate estimates of abundance for the harbour porpoise to contribute to an assessment of the impact of bycatch. In contrast, European offshore waters have only been partially surveyed and the abundance estimates generated suffer from several sources of bias. Offshore surveys to generate unbiased abundance estimates are especially important to complement on-shelf surveys for species that are distributed in both habitats. The CODA project will generate new information on the distribution, abundance and habitat preferences of cetaceans in the offshore European Atlantic; these data will contribute to bycatch assessment for common dolphin and to our understanding of the effects of military and industrial activities on deep divers. The survey area included offshore waters of the European Fishing Zone west of the UK, Ireland, France and Spain. Shipboard surveys were carried out during July 2007. Line transect methods were used to collect double platform visual survey data to allow analyses to account for the probability of detection on the transect line to be less than one and for responsive movement of animals to the ship. Passive acoustic data were also collected on survey ships for all species. Five ships covered 10 000 km of transects in an area of 880 000 km2. Sightings amounted to just over 1 500 encounters of seventeen species. Fin whale encounters were greatest; sightings were centred in the Bay of Biscay and West. Common dolphins occurred mainly in the southern part of the survey area. Sperm whales and three Ziphiid species were recorded throughout the area. Abundance estimates will be calculated from these data. Estimates for the common dolphin will be incorporated into a management framework that was developed during SCANS-II to allow safe bycatch limits to be recommended.

Since 1993, fishery observers from the Instituto Español de Oceanografía (lEO) have recorded incidental sightings and by-catches of marine mammals and seabirds from Spanish fishing boats in intemational waters of the southwest Atlantic. The lEO recently implemented an observer pragramme on-board research vessels in the area, recording data on marine mammal and seabird sightings. The objectives of this programme inc1ude (a) determining the distribution of marine marnmals and seabirds, (b) modelling habitat use, and (e) monitoring interactions with fishing operations. Data are collected on species present, numbers, behaviour, enviranmental conditions and interactions with fishing activities. Here we present a summary of results fram the fishery observers and a preliminary report on the results from surveys inc1uding distribution maps. The cetacean species most frequently sighted fram commercial vessels were Peale's dolphin (Lagenorhynchus australis) and hourglass dolphin (Lagenorhynchus cruciger). Other species of cetaceans observed inc1uded common dolphin (Delphinus sp.), pilot whale (Globicephala sp.), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and southem right whale (Eubalaena australis), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), killer whales (Orcinus orca) and southem right whale dolphin (Lissodelphis peronii), . Recent observations fram a longliner inc1ude spenn whales following the boat for several days, suggesting that they were feeding in association with the boat, e.g. on fish hooked on the lines. Pinnipeds were observed frequently in the vicinity of the boats. By-catches of small numbers of marine mammals and seabirds were recorded, inc1uding hourglass dolphin and several pinniped species. During a hydrographic survey in December 2007 and a fishing survey in March-April 2008, the most frequently sighted cetaceans were dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Other marine mammals recorded inc1ude hourglass dolphin, sperm whale, South American fur seal Arctocephalus australis, pilot whale, minke whale and Peale's dolphin.

Under Council Regulation (EC) Nº 812/2004, Member States are required to design and implement at-sea observer schemes to monitor cetacean by-catch in specific fisheries and areas. Following the criteria set out in Annex III part 2, in 2008 Spain has implemented a pilot on board-observer scheme. The Secretaría General del Mar (SGM) contracted the Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO) to design, implement and manage the assessment and monitoring programme. This report summarizes the implementation of a pilot observer’s scheme on vessels with an overall length of 15 m or over, for the bottom-set gillnet operating on Divisions VIa, VIIa, b and VIII a, b, and the observations made during last quarter of 2008. It also provides bycatch information on the high–opening trawl and bottom-set gillnet fisheries collected under the Data Collection Regulation. In 2008 the incidental catch of one common dolphin was registered in a total of 32 hauls observed in the bottom-set gillnet operating Division VIIIa. Observer programmes under the Data Collection Regulation (DCR) reports no cetacean by-catch in division VIIIc and the incidental catch of one common dolphin in 92 monitored hauls in the high- opening trawls in Divisions VIII abd. El Reglamento (CE) Nº 812/2004, requiere de los Estados Miembros el diseño y la aplicación de programas de observación a bordo para estimar las capturas accidentales en las pesquerías y áreas especificadas. Siguiendo el criterio establecido en el Anexo III, apartado 2 del Reglamento, España ha implementado un régimen piloto de observadores a bordo en el 2008. La Secretaría General del Mar (SGM) contrató al Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), para diseñar, implementar y dar seguimiento al programa de muestreo. Este informe resume el resultado del programa piloto de observación en los barcos de 15 o más metros de eslora dedicados a la pesca con artes de enmalle de fondo en la Divisiones VIa, VIIab y VIII a, b, así como los resultados obtenidos en el último trimestre de 2008. Se aporta también información sobre capturas accidentales de la flota de arrastre de gran abertura vertical y de enmalle de fondo obtenida por medio del Reglamento para la Recogida de Datos (DCR). En 2008 se registró la captura accidental de un delfín común sobre un total de 32 lances observados en la flota de enmalle de fondo en la División VIIIa. No se registró ninguna captura accidental en la división VIIIc en los programas de observación realizados según el Reglamento para la recogida de Datos (DCR) y si una captura accidental de un delfín común en los 92 lances monitorizados en la flota de gran abertura vertical en las Divisiones VIIIabd.

The Bay of Biscay is an oceanic region closely related to cetaceans. It was from localities around these shores that a long whaling tradition started in the XI century. For more than 600 hundred years the Right whale was caught along these coasts until the decline of whaling in the XVIII century. Modem whaling started in Spain at the beginning of the XX century in the Gibraltar Straits. In the second half of the century whaling activity continued in the north west of the Iberian Peninsula. The target species were sperm and fin whale. The interest in cetacean studies on the Spanish coast goes back to the XVIII century with the works of pioneers such as Sarmiento and Comide and continued with the monographic works by Graells and Cabrera. Since the last quarter of the past century an extraordinary boom in the number of studies on cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay has taken place. About thirty cetacean species ha ve been reported in the Bay of Biscay, seven belonging to Mysticeti and twenty three to Odontoceti. Precise knowledge on the biology, distribution and migratory pattems are restricted to some of them whilst absolute abundance estimations are lacking for the majority of the species. Further research is needed in these areas. One of the main concems for the conservation of cetacean populations in the Bay of Biscay is the interaction with fisheries. Other threats are related to the degradation of the marine environment due to chemical waste and the increase in noise pollution. Several conventions deal with the management and conservation of cetaceans. At the European and Spanish level, there are also several regulations conceming the protection of the local populations and their habitats. A Spanish Decree on whale watching is in an advanced state of development. Humans and cetaceans are both part of complex marine ecosystems. For an ecosystem approach to the management of the marine environment it is essential to know the role of all components and the consequences of the human impacts.

Versión del editor

In 1989 a Spanish shipboard sighting survey was carried out as part of a combined international cetacean's survey in the North Atlantic ( NASS-89). The cruise had taken place during July- August covering the Bay of Biscay and adjacent Atlantic waters between 42º- 52º N and 25º W. Zooplankton samples obtained during that cruise have recently being processed and analysed. Due to the relative scarce information available about the zooplankton of the area surveyed it was considered useful to present now this information. Data about the composition, distribution and abundance of the zooplankton fraction between 200 μm and 2 mm were obtained. The dominant groups in the oceanic area were Acantharia, Radiolaria and Amphipoda. In some stations these groups represented more than 50% on the plankton community. In the Bay of Biscay, apart from the groups found in the oceanic area, they also appeared Doliolida and the copepod Calanoides carinatus (Krøyer, 1848). Abundances had range between 2 and 27 785 ind. m-3 due to the wide extension and different thermohaline characteristics of the area sampled. The groups with more than 500 ind. m-3 were the Radiolarian, Acantharia, Chaetognatha and the copepod Calanoides carinatus. The last two groups were more abundant in the coastal zone.

An analysis of the information on sea turtles obtained by the Spanish lnstitute of Oceanography (lEO) in the period 1993-2005 is presented in this paper. This information has been collected by scientific observers through several onboard sampling schemes to study the target species and discards in trawl and longline fisheries in different oceanic areas. The sampling effort was carried out opportunístically throughout the period considered. lnformatíon obtained on sorne experimental fishing trips is also presented. Incidental catches of sea turtles were monitored in the trawl fishery in the NAFO area, but only two incidental takes were reported on more than 20.000 observed hauls. The great majority ofthe interactions were reported on the swordfish longline fishery (69) monitored fishing trips. The commercial fishery is mainly carried out in the Atlantic (2,064 monitored sets) and also in the Indian and Pacific Oceans (363 and 90 monitored sets respectively). The Atlantíc fishery presents the highest number of interactions with 359 fishing sets with reported interactions and 737 anímals caught. The species identified were loggerhead, leatherback, kemp's ridley, olive ridley and green turtle. Most ofthe interactions correspond to indivíduals that were captured and released alive. The loggerhead is the species with the highest mortality. Sorne additional informatíon on the geographical distribution of the incidental catches and on the length of the specimens is also presented.

Publicado 0

Versión del editor 0,0000

Versión del editor

Versión del editor

In this study we have analysed the stranding and by-catch records of cetaceans during 1996. The area of investigation is located in the Northeastern Atlantic. The results of data provide information concerning the seasonal and spatial distribution and relative frequency of the catches in the different areas. A total of 549 specimens was reported. Of these, 84% were found stranded and only the 16% resulted from by-catches from fishing boats or being stranded with injury by the nets. The common dolphin is the species most frequently involved in nets (72.4%). Young common dolphins were mainly caught and shows a similar frequency of females and males. Other cetaceans caught include Tursiops tnmcatus (5 .7%), while the others like Stenella coeruleoalba, Stenella frontalis, Grampus griseus, Kogia breviceps and Phocoena phocoena have only been caught sporadically. The location ofby-catches in the different sectors reflect human fishing activities.

Versión del editor 0,0000

During the summers of 1987 and 1989, large scale transect surveys were conducted throughout the North Atlantic by several national agencies in Denmark (off Greenland), Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway and Spain (North Atlantic Sightings Surveys, NASS-87 and NASS-89). This paper analyses the pilot whale (Globicephala melas) survey data collected by three Icelandic and one Faroese survey vessel in 1987, and four Icelandic, one Faroese and one Spanish vessel in 1989. Norwegian survey vessels operated north and east of this area in both years, but only five groups (three primary sightings) were observed in 1989 and none in 1987. Furthermore, no sightings were made in the area north and northeast of Iceland, thus indicating that the joint surveys covered the northernmost areas of pilot whale distribution east of 42°W. The area further to the west was not covered in either survey. The coastal European waters between 42-52°N were covered by the Spanish vessel in 1989. Sightings made in 1989 by the Icelandic vessels tended to be at the southernmost boundaries of the survey area. The present data were examined with respect to several potential stratification factors, namely geographic block, Beaufort (i.e. wind speed), vessel and school size, but sample size precluded stratification by all these factors simultaneously. The encounter rate was generally lower in the 1987 survey than in 1989, but the difference was not statistically significant. The total estimate for the 1989 survey, covering a wider area and further to the south than in 1987, was 778,000 (CV=0.295). This is regarded as the best available estimate of the total stock of long-finned pilot whales in the northeastern North Atlantic Ocean, although small numbers occur outside the NASS survey areas. The paper discusses potential biases in the abundance estimates, and the problems of estimating pilot whale abundance from sightings data.

Versión del editor 0,0000

Applying standard line transect analysis to the Spanish NASS-89 sightings survey data, the abundance of fin whales in the eastern Atlantic west of Iberia and south-west of the British Isles is estimated as 17,335 whales (CV=0.266; 95% confidence interval (10,400, 28,900) whales).

This report presents the results of the Spanish cruise undertaken as part of the second North Atlantic Sightings Survey (NASS). Between 5 July and 9 August 1989, a total of 5,148 n.miles were covered in an area limited by 25°W, the European continental shelf and 42°N and 52°N. 3,345 nautical miles were steamed on effort along the predetermined trackline for about 337 hours. During the cruise 76 fin whale sightings of 118 animals were made. Another 90 sightings of unidentified rorquals (115 animals) were recorded. Sperm whales were sighted on 43 occasions (71 animals). Sightings of Ziphiicls, pilot whales and cetaceans belonging to several unidentified categories were also recorded. The fin and sperm whale patterns of distribution found in the area surveyed coincide with previous descriptions of their distribution over more restricted areas.

En el presente informe se recogen los datos obtenidos en las factorías balleneras de Balea (Pontevedra) y Caneliñas (La Coruña) durante la campaña de caza de ballenas del año 1983. El total de rorculaes comunes, Balaenoptera physalus L., procesadas ha sido de 120 hasta completar la cuota concedida por la Comisión Ballenera Internacional a España para el año 1983. La actividad ballenera se inició el dia 1 de junio y termin6 el 26 de octubre del lrls110 año. Al igual que en el informe elaborado al final de la temporada de 1982, este informe se centra en la obtención de los datos de captura, esfuerzo, captura por unidad de esfuerzo de la temporada pasada, así como en la elaboración de los datos biológicos sobre lactantes, fetos, parásitos y alimentación recogidos de los ejemplares muestreados. Finalmente a partir de los libros de abordo de los balleneros se hace una relación de avistamientos de varias especies de ballenas presentes en el área de caza. The present report has been compiled with data obtained from the whaling factories in Balea (Pontevedra) and Caneliñas (La Coruña) during the 1983 whaling season. A total of 120 fin whales Balaenoptera physalus L. have been worked on, this number being the quota given to Spain by the International Whaing Commission for 1983. Whaling activity began on the 1st of June and concluded on the 26th of October. As in last year's report, attention _ is focused on catch and effort data, last season's catch per unit effort, and on biological data relating to lactating whales, foetus, parasites and stomach contents taken from the specimens observed. Finally sightings of various species of whales present in the hunting area are given, taken from the entries made in the log-books on board the whalers. 0,0000

Dans la presente communication nous faisons une étude de la flotte chalutière de la Galice (ports de La Coruña et Vigo) qui travaille aux régions VII b, c, j, k. Nous fournissons des données sur las captures et les captures par unité d'effort en 1974 pour les espèces les plus importantes économiquement pour les différents groupes de bateaux dans lesquels nous avons divisé la flotte. Les variations saisonnières de ces espèces sont étudiées aussi que la distribution des tailles du merlu (Merluccius merluccius L.) pendant cette année là.

Versión del editor 0,0000

Versión del editor 0,0000

Se estudió la alimentación del pejerrey, Atherina presbyter, en la Ría de Arosa, durante el período septiembre 1978-septiembre 1979. Se analizaron un total de 231 estómagos, evaluándose los resultados mediante la composición porcentual en número y la frecuencia de aparición de los distintos componentes. En los contenidos estomacales se encontraron tremátodos parásitos en el 81.8 % de los casos, así como diversos materiales del cebo utilizado en la captura de los peces en el 93_5 % de los mismos. Los crustáceos son, con gran diferencia, el grupo más importante en la composición del alimento, encontrándose también poliquetos, huevos de peces e insectos. Los organismos más abundantes son los copépodos calanoides (74.0 %) Y las larvas del decápodo Pisidia longicornis (/2,4 %). Otros crustáceos importantes en la dieta son los anfípodos (gammáridos y caprélidos) (4.9 %), los cladóceros (2.4 %), las larvas de cirrípedos (2.4 %) v las de los decápodos braquiuros (2.9 %). Los índices de similaridad alimenticia de Shorygin y de similaridad de Morisita, aplicados a las composiciones de las dietas en distintas zonas de la Ría, épocas del año y grupos de tal/as, presentaron valores altos, indicando un elevado grado de coincidencia alimenticia en las respectivas pruebas. Existe una tendencia a consumir los grupos de crustáceos más ahundantes en las respectivas biocenosis, copépodos y larvas de Pisidia entre los organismos zooplanctónicos y anfípodos de la comunidad epifaunal de las cuerdas de las bateas. Finalmente se discuten los resultados alcanzados y la influencia que los cambios experimentados en el ecosistema de la Ría de Arosa pudieron tener sobre los hábitos alimenticios de A. presbyter; así como la posición de la especie en la cadena trófica., The food of the sand smelt, Atherina presbyter in the Ría de Arosa, was studied during the period september 1978-september 1979. 231 stomach contents have been analysed and the results evaluated by numerical porcentage and the frequency of occurrence of the different components. Parasite trematods and several materials of the bait used in fishing were found in 81.8 % and 93.5 % of the stomach contents. Crustaceans are, with great difference, the most important group in the food composition, and polychaetes, fish eggs and insects are also found. Calanoid copepods (74.0 %) and the larvae of the decapod Pisidia longicornis (/2.4 %) are the most abundant organisms. Amphipods (gammarids and caprel/ids) (4.9 %), cladocerans (2.4 %), cirriped larvae (2.4 %) and the larvae of the brachyuran decapods (2.9 %) are other important crustaceans in the diet. The index of food similarity of Shorygin and the Morisita index gave high values, when applied to the diets in the different areas of the ria, seasons of the year and size groups, showing a high degree of food similarity. There is a trend to feed upon the most abundant groups of crustaceans in the biocenosis, copepods and Pisidia larvae among the zooplanktonic organisms and amphipods from the epifaunal community of the mussel raft ropes. Finally, the results obtained and the influence of the changes in the ecosystem of the Ría de Arosa on the feeding habits of A. presbyter are discussed, as is the position of the species in the trophic chain., SI

Versión del editor 0,0000

Versión del editor 0,0000

Based upon the information taken from the whaling statistics, strandings and sightings around the Iberian Península, 31 records of the appearance of the minke whale were compiled and analyzed. There is an increasing number of records in recent years. The information available shows that all the sightings were made in the period between April and November irrespective of the position of the observation, while the strandings occur all the year round. All the stranding records come from the coast of the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic front with none from the South Atlantic nor Mediterranean coasts. Most of the animals stranded measured less than 5 m. total length, and sorne of them probably, hadn't reached six months of age. The occurrences of minke whale in the area are discussed, dismissing the possibility that this may be a common species in the Iberian continental shelf. Sorne evidence is presented, supporting the hypothesis of a relationship between the animals found in these waters and a westerly migrational pattern of the species.

Como consecuencia de la entrada en vigor en nuestro país, en julio de 1979, del Convenio Internacional para la Regulación de la Pesca de la Ballena, España está obligada a facilitar toda la información referente a la actividad ballenera. En base a ello, el presente informe recoge los datos obtenidos por los observadores nacionales en las factorías de Caneliñas (La Coruña) y Balea (Pontevedra) que han estado en funcionamiento durante la campaña de 1982. El total de rorcuales comunes, Balaenoptera physalus L., procesados ha sido de 149. La campaña ballenera se inició el día 1º de mayo con la salida a la mar de los balleneros IBSA I e IBSA III, finalizando el 28 de septiembre, fecha de la última captura. Los datos obtenidos se refieren a talla y sexo de los ejemplares, y en las hembras, a la presencia de fetos y casos de lactancia. También se recogen las observaciones hechas sobre el contenido estomacal y la presencia de ectoparásitos. Se representan gráficamente los datos de tallas por sexo, barco y total, y se da la talla media para cada sexo y barco en cada mes de la campaña y en el total. Se adjuntan mapas con la distribución geográfica de las capturas realizadas durante los meses que duró la campaña. As a result of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, activities that came into force in our country in july 1979, Spain has been obliged to facilitate all information concerning national whaling. For this reason the present report puts forward the data collected by the national observers in the factories in Caneliñas (La Coruña) and Balea (Pontevedra) that were working during the 1982 season. A total of 149 fin whales, Balaenoptera physalus L., were processed. The whaling season began on the 1st. of may and finished on the 28th. of september. The catcher boats used throughout this season were the IBSA I and IBSA III. The data collected refers to síze and sex of all specimens. The presence of foetus and the possible existence of lactation was also observed in the females. Observations were also made on the stomach content and the presence of ectoparasites. The size data is represented graphically by sex, boat and total and the average size for each sex and boat is given for each month of the season and as a whole. Maps have been drawn showing the geographical distribution of the catches during the months that the season lasted. 0,0000