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Coastal erosion impact on low-lying sandy shorelines represents a worldwide problem, which is particularly felt in various segments of the Portuguese coast where this geomorphological type represents 42% of its total length. Beach nourishment is a viable engineering alternative for shore protection and the assessment of offshore sources of beach-fill material is an essential aspect when implementing this mitigation strategy. The CHIMERA project carried out a multidisciplinary inspection on four segments of the west Portuguese coast to assess their potential as offshore borrow areas for beach nourishment. Altogether, these segments covered an area of c . 35 km 2 , at water depths between 20 and 42 m. They were surveyed using multibeam, sub-bottom profiler, ultra-high resolution multichannel seismics and a set of 126 surface samples and 72 vibrocores (with 3 m long each). To comply with the Portuguese legislation, sand types were assessed by granulometric and chemical analyses for evaluating the quality of sediments in terms of contamination. High-resolution magnetic surveys were conducted to find potential archaeological artefacts. The adopted methodology proved to be adequate to quantify and describe the spatial distribution of useful sediment volumes, supporting the ongoing Integrated Coastal Sediment Strategy for mainland Portugal.

Background Seamounts are underwater mountains which typically rise rather steeply at least several hundred meters above the deep-sea floor. These geological features interrupt water flow and hence may induce changes in the circulation of different water masses, in turn causing different physical and biological effects. For this reason, seamounts are biodiversity hotspots, housing a wide number of species, as is with the case of the Seine and Unicorn seamounts, which are a part of the Madeira-Tore seamount chain located between Portugal mainland, southwestern Europe and Madeira archipelago (NE Atlantic). Methods Fisheries independent surveys allowed the collection of Chondrichthyes specimens from the Seine and Unicorn seamounts. Individuals were caught over the course of two research cruises, first in 2004 and later in 2017, with species distribution ranging from the summit down to 2500 m of depth. Results Fifteen species belonging to 7 different taxonomical families were collected in the two surveyed areas. Two species were recorded for the first time and added to the checklist of the Seine seamount (Centrophorus granulosus and Somniosus rostratus), and three species for the Unicorn seamount (C. granulosus, Centroscymnus coelolepis and Centroselachus crepidater). Distribution and frequency of occurrence for the collected species were evaluated in relation to depth. Conclusions This work is a valuable contribution to the knowledge of seamount-associated fish fauna. Moreover, the checklist of sharks, rays and chimaeras was updated for the Seine and Unicorn seamounts, summing up 20 species.

Aims Rising sea-level following the Last Glacial Maximum lead to fragmentation of coastal limpet populations between islands of the Archipelago of Madeira. This fragmentation is reinforced by recent heavy exploitation reducing effective population size on Madeira Island. We use the limpet P. aspera to understand how the role of processes at different time scales (i.e. changes in the sea level and overexploitation) can influence the genetic composition of an extant species, relating these processes to reproductive phenology and seasonal shifts in ocean currents. Location Madeira Island, Porto Santo and Desertas (Archipelago of Madeira, NE Atlantic Ocean). Taxon The limpet Patella aspera. Methods Twelve microsatellite genetic markers were used. A power analysis was used to evaluate the power of the microsatellite markers to detect a signal of population differentiation. Long-term past migrations were assessed using a Bayesian Markov Montecarlo approach in the software MIGRATE-n to estimate mutation-scaled migration rates (M = m/μ; m, probability of a lineage immigrating per generation; μ, mutation rate). Two scenarios were evaluated using an Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) in the software DIYABC 2.1 (i) Scenario 1: considered a population scenario from a reduced Ne at time t3 to a higher Ne at time t2; and (ii) Scenario 2 considering a reduction of Ne from a time t3 to a time t2. Results Colonization of the archipelago by Portuguese settlers six centuries ago probably led to an important decrease in the genetic diversity of the species (Ne). Contemporary gene flow strongly support a pattern of high asymmetric connectivity explained by the reproductive phenology of the species and spatio-temporal seasonal changes in the ocean currents. Spatio-temporal reconstructions using Bayesian methods, including coalescent and Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) approaches, suggest changes in the migration patterns from highly symmetric to highly asymmetric connectivity with subtle population differentiation as consequence of post-glacial maximum sea level rise during the Holocene. Main conclusions Our results suggest that anthropogenic activity could have had serious effects on the genetic diversity of heavily exploited littoral species since the end of the Pleistocene, probably accelerating in recent years.

Studies on microbial communities are pivotal to understand the role and the evolutionary paths of the host and their associated microorganisms in the ecosystems. Meta-genomics techniques have proven to be one of the most effective tools in the identification of endosymbiotic communities of host species. The microbiome of the highly exploited topshell Phorcus sauciatus was characterized in the Northeastern Atlantic (Portugal, Madeira, Selvagens, Canaries and Azores). Alpha diversity analysis based on observed OTUs showed significant differences among regions. The Principal Coordinates Analysis of beta-diversity based on presence/absence showed three well differentiated groups, one from Azores, a second from Madeira and the third one for mainland Portugal, Selvagens and the Canaries. The microbiome results may be mainly explained by large-scale oceanographic processes of the study region, i.e., the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, and specifically by the Canary Current. Our results suggest the feasibility of microbiome as a model study to unravel biogeographic and evolutionary processes in marine species with high dispersive potential.

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.

Natural history collections from museums and private institutions can play an important role supporting decisions in biodiversity conservation. Seahorse populations have suffered a worldwide decline, while many areas remain data deficient including areas subjected to heavy commercial trading, such as the coasts of West Africa. In this work, seahorse collections from museums and public institutions in Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands) were initially reviewed (1) to identify specimens not previously determined, and (2) to correct species determinations from Macaronesia and adjacent West African coasts. The morphological data (3) were tested for phenotypic variation of seahorses within and between Macaronesia and adjacent West African coasts. The presence of Hippocampus hippocampus (short-snouted seahorse) and Hippocampus algiricus (West African seahorse) was confirmed for the area, including new sightings along previous geographical distribution ranges. Morphological analyses partitioned seahorse species and several morphotypes within and between Macaronesia and adjacent West African coasts. This phenotypic plasticity was associated with cranial morphology. Such differences are a useful tool for tracking seahorse populations of varying species and origins. New information presented here, is valuable for improving the management and conservation of seahorses, particularly in areas threatened by illegal trading or other anthropogenic activities.

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.

As part of an annotated checklist of fishes of the archipelago of Madeira, a list with all cartilaginous fishes recorded from the archipelago is presented. The list contains 67 species of sharks, rays and chimaeras, whose presence in the area the authors consider confirmed. Another 14 species previously referred for the area are now considered dubious records and five species are withdrawn from the list. Centrophorus uyato is here recorded for the first time from Madeira. Three species (Mitsukurina owstoni, Odontaspis noronhai and Chimaera opalescens) are so far only present in Madeira within Macaronesia. The 67 confirmed species are based on occurrences, substantiated by specimens in natural history museum collections or other published evidence. For all species, the first reference is given, as well as other relevant references for the archipelago and remaining Macaronesia.

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. Se investigaron los tiburones de profundidad en las capturas accesorias de la pesquería de palangre de deriva de media agua que tiene por objetivo el sable negro (Aphanopus spp.) mediante una campaña experimental en la Zona Económica Exclusiva de Canarias a profundidades de 800 a 1200 m, en caladeros que han venido siendo explotados en los últimos 15 años. Se identificaron nueve especies de condrictios pertenecientes a cinco familias: Pseudotriakidae, Centrophoridae, Etmopteridae, Somniosidae y Chimaeridae. Se aportan datos de talla, peso y proporción de sexos para los 436 ejemplares de condrictios capturados en la campaña de marzo de 2009. Los especímenes de referencia capturados fueron depositados en las colecciones del Museo de Historia Natural de Funchal.

This work investigated the biology of Chaceon affinis in two isolated populations of the Atlantic Ocean, including depth distribution, sexual structure, reproductive patterns and intermoult period. Males were larger and heavier than females. Mean size decreased with depth for both males and females. The highest abundance was found at 600–799 m of depth for males and at 800–999 m depth stratum for females. The highest abundance of ovigerous females was found at the 800–999 m depth stratum. Of the different ovaries’ colour or colour shades recorded, only six categories were histologically characterized. The presence of spermatophores in the spermatheca of females in carapace stages II and III suggests that spermatophores are viable and used during the intermoult period. The size at sexual maturity in females was estimated at 104.4–104.7 mm carapace width (CW) in Madeira, and 109.3–110.5 mm CW in the Canary Islands. Only three categories of testes were identified. Mature testes consisted in a large mass, with highly coiled vasa deferentia visible to the naked eye. The size at sexual maturity in males was estimated at 113.8 mm CW in Madeira and 118.9 mm CW in the Canaries. The relative growth of males showed significant changes along the ontogeny and size at which allometric growth changes, as an indicator of morphometric maturity, occurred between 103.2 and 103.6 mm CW in Madeira and between 111.4 and 113.1 mm CW in the Canaries. In females, size at which allometric growth changes was found for maximum width of fifth abdominal somite (AS5W) at 98.2 mm CW in Madeira and 103.0 mm CW in the Canaries. The size at maturity obtained for C. affinis indicates that the minimum landing size (MLS) should not be set smaller than 125 mm CW in Madeira and 130 mm CW in the Canaries. This conservative MLS, higher than length at functional maturity, would safeguard immature individuals until they reach the size at which they can contribute to the reproductive capacity of the population. Ovigerous females were observed from October to April in Madeira, and in all months in the Canaries. Moreover, the observation of berried females in the last developmental stage in all quarters of the year suggests that gonad maturation and release of larvae are asynchronous throughout the spawning season. A total of 138 crabs with CW between 96 and 154 mm were tagged off Madeira. Of these, nine were recovered in the same area, more than 900 days after tagging. Eight of the recaptures were females with a wide range of CW confirming intermoult periods exceeding three years with expected growth per moult of less than 20 mm CW.

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.

Fish assemblages in Cais do Carvao Bay. Madeira Island, a proposed marine protected area (MPA). were determined from a diver visual census. A total of 32 transect counts were performed. Habitats sampled included sandy bottom, rocky boulders, vertical walls and rocky outcrops. Species richness, diversity, density, trophic structure, size and spatial organization were documented for the fish assemblages. Forty-four species from 23 families were encountered: 32% belonged to Sparidae (10) and Labridae (four). The greatest species richness (25) was observed in rocky boulder habitat at 10-15 m depth, while the lowest (five) occurred over a deeper sand habitat. The greatest density (760.5 individuals per 100 m 2 ) was recorded over rocky outcropping (20-25 m deep), and the lowest of 11-6 individuals per 100 m 2 was over a sand bottom at 10-15 m depth. Thalassoma pavo, Abudefduf luridus and Chromis limbata had higher densities on hard bottoms, while Heteroconger longissimus was the most abundant species in sand bottom habitats. No significant differences were detected for all indices calculated among depth intervals for sand and rocky boulder stations. Sand and rock boulder substratum, however, differed significantly for the 10-15 m depth stratum.

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

In this study, we conducted an experimental panel survey in Norway, Germany and Portugal to explore consumers' willingness to pay more for products that are certified microplastic free. This is placed within the context of private certification schemes and private governance as mechanisms to increase consumer conscientiousness, establish a higher environmental standard in terms of microplastic and reduce marine pollution. We find that consumers in general are very conscious about the issue, would generally prefer products that are microplastics free, but would seldom choose these when there is a price premium on the label. This had a geographical offset though, with the results aligning with that of political trust in the nation, with Norwegians being less likely to purchase items with price premiums for private governance labels, and Portugal being most likely to – even with a price premium.