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In the context of marine conservation, trawl fishing activity is the most important ecosystem stressor in demersal Mediterranean waters. Limited management measures in bottom trawling have caused deep-sea stocks of the iconic Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus to decrease over the last decade. This crustacean acts as an umbrella species for co-existing megafauna. Here, we used non-invasive Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) video-surveys to investigate the status of a pilot deep-sea no-take reserve implemented in the northwestern Mediterranean by quantifying demographic indicators of Norway lobsters and the co-existing benthic community, seafloor restoration, and the presence of marine litter. The results revealed that in the no-take reserve the Norway lobster stock showed higher abundance and biomass, and slightly larger body sizes than in the control area without fishing prohibition. Some taxa, such as the fishes Helicolenus dactylopterus and Trigla lyra and anemones of the family Cerianthidae, increased in abundance. We also observed that all trawling marks were smoothed and most of the seafloor was intact, clear indicators of the recovery of the muddy seafloor. The accumulation of marine debris and terrestrial vegetation was similar in the no-take reserve and the fished area. On the basis of the results of this study, we suggest that the use of no-take reserves might be an effective measure for recovering the Norway lobster stock, its co-existing megafauna community, and the surrounding demersal habitat. We also suggest that ROV video-survey might be a useful, and non-invasive method to monitor megafauna and seafloor status in protected deep-sea environments

Methods to induce analgesia and anesthesia have been used in 71 crustaceans for research pur-poses, handling, transport or stunning. A non-systematic literature search was carried out crus-tacean anesthetic methods. We prepared this on-line tool based on datasette (https://datasette.io/), a no-code open source solution for simple web-based database frontends that allows exploring and publishing data by method, analgesic/anesthetic, species, life stage or sex., as well as other data including environmental conditions (temperature, salinity, light), way of administration, dosage, and induction and recovery times. Use of this tool for selecting anesthetics in crustaceans is free but we ask that you please cite the following publication that explains the tool in any published outputs: Rotllant, G.; Llonch, P.; García del Arco, J.A.; Chic, Ò.; Flecknell, P.; Sneddon, L.U. Methods to Induce Analgesia and Anesthesia in Crustaceans: A Supportive Decision Tool. Biology 2023, 12, 387. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12030387

El pròxim 8 de juny (Dia Mundial de l'Oceà) a les 18:30h tindrà lloc a l'ICM-CSIC la taula rodona "Navegació, ciència i ciutadania", en què parlarem de la connexió entre la navegació, les ciències del mar i el paper de la ciutadania. Així mateix, dedicarem una estona a parlar del llegat que pot deixar l'any vinent a la ciutat de Barcelona la 37a edició de la Copa Amèrica, un dels esdeveniments esportius amb més projecció internacional després dels Jocs Olímpics i el Mundial de Futbol. Participants: Ignasi Armengol: Director general de la Fundació Barcelona Capital Nàutica. Host de la Copa Amèrica. Nacho Dean: Naturalista i explorador professional. Acaba de tornar de “La España Azul”, una exploració científica i divulgativa navegant a vela al llarg de tota la costa espanyola. Guiomar Rotllant: Investigadora de l'Institut de Ciències del Mar i navegant. Santi Serrat: Enginyer i periodista divulgatiu, exdirector de l'Editorial de la Barcelona World Race. Marta Umbert: Oceanògrafa física a l'Institut de Ciències del Mar. Fa servir les dades obtingudes en regates com la Barcelona World Race o la Vendeé Globe per a validar dades de teledetecció oceànica. Modera: Jordi Salat: Investigador de l'Institut de Ciències del Mar, ha desenvolupat projectes d'investigació vinculats a la Barcelona World Race

One of the main drivers of marine ecosystem change is fishing activity, bottom trawling being the most intensive fishing practice affecting benthic ecosystems worldwide. In the western Mediterranean Sea, Norway lobster stocks present signs of overexploitation due to trawling pressure, as their biomass and abundance have decreased abruptly during the last few years. No-take fishery reserves, a type of marine protected area where fishing is prohibited, could be efficient management measures to recover Norway lobster overexploited populations and coexisting demersal megafauna. Adopting a BACI (before–after control–impact) approach, we performed experimental fishing surveys before and after 4 years of the implementation of a deep-sea no-take reserve in the northwestern Mediterranean. After 4 years of closure, the Norway lobster population increased in abundance, biomass, body size, and trophic level in the no-take reserve. Our approach also revealed an increase in Norway lobster biomass beyond its boundaries, suggesting a spillover effect. Other demersal fish species also increased in biomass and abundance in the no-take reserve. Based on the results of this study, we suggest that no-take reserves might be an effective measure for recovering the Norway lobster stock and some species present in the same habitat

Methods to induce analgesia and anesthesia for research purposes, handling, transport, or stunning have been used in 71 species of crustaceans. A non-systematic literature search was conducted on crustacean anesthetic methods. This review presents a comprehensive evaluation of drugs and non-chemical methods used to provide analgesia and anesthesia in many crustacean species rather than just decapod crustaceans. This information allows users to select an appropriate method or agent for their species of interest. We prepared an on-line tool based on datasette, a no-code open-source solution for simple web-based database frontends that allows exploration and downloading data by method, analgesic/anesthetic, species, life stage, or sex, as well as other data including environmental conditions (temperature, salinity, light), route of administration, dosage, and induction and recovery times. These values can be selected to filter the dataset and export it to CSV or JSON formats. Currently, several techniques and chemicals are, in our opinion, unsuitable for use as anesthetics in crustaceans, and the basis for these opinions are presented. Given the evidence of a pain-like experience in crustaceans, we propose that researchers should treat crustaceans humanely, applying the principles of good handling, care, and the management of stress and pain to safeguard their welfare.

Methods to induce analgesia and anesthesia for research purposes, handling, transport, or stunning have been used in 71 species of crustaceans. A non-systematic literature search was conducted on crustacean anesthetic methods. This review presents a comprehensive evaluation of drugs and non-chemical methods used to provide analgesia and anesthesia in many crustacean species rather than just decapod crustaceans. This information allows users to select an appropriate method or agent for their species of interest. We prepared an on-line tool based on datasette, a no-code open-source solution for simple web-based database frontends that allows exploration and downloading data by method, analgesic/anesthetic, species, life stage, or sex, as well as other data including environmental conditions (temperature, salinity, light), route of administration, dosage, and induction and recovery times. These values can be selected to filter the dataset and export it to CSV or JSON formats. Currently, several techniques and chemicals are, in our opinion, unsuitable for use as anesthetics in crustaceans, and the basis for these opinions are presented. Given the evidence of a pain-like experience in crustaceans, we propose that researchers should treat crustaceans humanely, applying the principles of good handling, care, and the management of stress and pain to safeguard their welfare

The penaeid shrimp Penaeus aztecus Ives, 1891 has been collected off the Catalan coast for the first time. This represents the first report of the species for the Iberian Peninsula waters. Its morphological description, as well as the DNA sequenced fragment, agree with the descriptions assigned to Penaeus aztecus. This constitutes the first record of the species in the Spanish Mediterranean coast and the confirmation the species westward expansion along the Mediterranean Sea probably been drifted from the later invasion in the Gulf of Lions

El Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) es el mayor organismo público de investigación en España y el tercero en Europa. Tiene como misión el fomento, la coordinación, el desarrollo y la difusión de la investigación científica y tecnológica de carácter multidisciplinar. Su fin último es contribuir al avance del conocimiento y al desarrollo económico, social y cultural, así como a la formación de personal y al asesoramiento de entidades públicas y privadas en estas materias. Dentro de un marco de ciencia de excelencia con compromiso social, emergen acciones de transferencia del conocimiento como esta. Así, gracias a la ayuda del CSIC y del programa INTERCOONECTA de la Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID), dependiente del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación, se ha hecho posible esta programación titulada: Mejora de la productividad y la gestión acuícola mediante el empleo de herramientas de diagnóstico y gestión, y mediante programas de selección en especies nativas de Latinoamérica y el Caribe, salvajes o cultivadas, de importancia ecológica y comercial. [...]

Contar con más proteína animal de origen acuícola en la dieta de los seres humanos es imprescindible si se considera una población mundial cuyo aumento se estima en alrededor de un 50% en 2050, lo cual conlleva a una necesidad de incrementar hasta en un 70% la producción de alimento. En la actualidad se pueden producir especies acuáticas aplicando tecnologías disponibles que permiten mitigar el dolor potencial en peces, cefalópodos y crustáceos. [...]

With the increase in debates concerning environmental sustainability and management of fish stocks and aquaculture at the international and global scale, CRUSIN will explore crustacean welfare at the time of killing. This topic has become a public concern but more scientific evidence is required to influence policy. Consumers demand higher welfare products as a distinctive commodity value. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommend that animals shall be spared any avoidable pain, distress or suffering during killing. EFSA summarise the pain indicators into three main aspects: behavioural, physiological and neurophysiological. In human brains, specific areas have been linked to the experience of pain and, since crustaceans are lacking these areas, it has been suggested that they cannot experience pain. 17 pain indicators were considered that, taken together, can provide evidence of animal pain. Decapods fulfil all 14 criteria for which they have been tested. We used a multimodal approach to explore humane killing of crustaceans by investigating electrical stun parameters, stun duration, behavioural responses, and identifying biomarkers that indicate unconsciousness before a second method is employed to ensure death. This novel approach will inform the humane killing of these economically important animals as well as provide new data to inform industry methods and government policy

The midgut tract of decapods is a digestive organ involved in the synthesis of peritrophic membrane, food transport, absorption of nutrients, and osmoregulation. The midgut tract has been described in detail in adult decapods, but little information is available regarding the morphology and ultrastructure of the midgut tract in larval stages. The present study describes the midgut tract and the midgut–hindgut junction of the larvae of the common spider crab Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922 using techniques that included dissection, light microscopy, and electron microscopy. The study is mainly focused on the stages of zoea I and megalopa. The results obtained in this study show that the larval midgut tract is a short and simple tube positioned anteriorly, between the stomach and the hindgut tract. During larval development, the maximum length of the midgut tract increases significantly, but no differences were found on either the maximum diameter or the morphological traits of the organ. The midgut tract is active at least ca. 12 h after hatching, as suggested by the presence of the peritrophic membrane in the lumen, the presence of abundant electro-dense vesicles in the cell apex, and the release of the vesicle content on the organ lumen. The midgut–hindgut junction forms an abrupt transition between the midgut tract and the hindgut tract in which epithelial cells with mixed features of midgut and hindgut do not occur

To obtain a better understanding of the functioning of ecosystems and how they respond to disturbance, it is necessary to identify the relevant biotic interactions and specific trophic roles. Predation is one of the most important biotic interactions that can also define the spatial patterns of other species. Many predators are considered key species for the functioning and maintenance of ecosystems, as they play an important ecological role that can influence the dynamics at lower trophic levels. The Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus is one of the most valued European fishing stocks. However, its value and capture have declined over the last decade. In the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic cod Gadus morhua is the main predator of N. norvegicus. However, this species is not present in the Mediterranean Sea, and little is known about which species might prey on N. norvegicus in this area. Here, we combine 2 methodologies—genetic identification of stomach contents and stable isotope analyses—to identify, for the first time, the main predators of N. norvegicus in the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, we have created the Predation Index, which determines the most influential predator affecting N. norvegicus population dynamics. Our results reveal that the major predators are the cephalopods Sepietta spp. and Abralia veranyi, which probably affect the early stages of N. norvegicus, followed by the elasmobranch Scyliorhinus canicula and the bony fishes Merluccius merluccius, Trigla lyra, and Conger conger. To evaluate possible fluctuations in the N. norvegicus population, we consider the assessment of these predator populations crucial

Según las investigadoras e investigadores del Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) de Barcelona, el incremento previsto de la producción acuícola como consecuencia del aumento de la población mundial y, consecuentemente, la mayor demanda de proteína, tendrá que pasar, necesariamente, por mejorar la eficiencia y sostenibilidad de los procesos de cultivo y pesca empleados en la actualidad, lo que también lleva implícito mejorar el bienestar de las especies acuícolas explotadas

Decapod crustaceans are a diverse group englobing several species of commercial and ecological interest. In the Mediterranean Sea, decapod crustacean fisheries are among the most profitable, although in many cases their early life stages are poorly known. In this study, we tackle the composition and diversity patterns of the decapod larval communities along the eastern Spanish Mediterranean coast. Zooplankton sampling was carried out in surface waters at 101 stations from July 20th to August 31st 2016, over bottom depths between 90 and 1840 m. All shrimp larvae were identified to the lowest possible taxonomical level, and larvae from Anomura, Achelata and Brachyura were left at infraorder level. No larvae of Astacidea or Polychelida were found. The total zooplankton volume was estimated. A total of 20,022 decapod crustacean larvae were identified, focusing on shrimp taxa (suborder Dendrobranchiata and infraorder Caridea). Both zooplankton volume and decapod larval density values were higher in the northern part of the studied area, cut by deep submarine canyons. After assessing the diversity parameters of the decapod larval community, we present the summer mesoscale larval distribution of several species of commercial interest such as the caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus) or the deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris). The northern submarine canyons are dominated by the presence of Penaeoidea, being the deep-sea shrimp Aristeus antennatus the dominant species in the community in this area, while the Sergestoidea are more abundant in the southern zone. This is the largest-scale study on decapod larvae mesoscale distribution in the Mediterranean Sea

Background. The decapods are a major group of crustaceans that includes shrimps, prawns, crayfishes, lobsters, and crabs. Several studies focused on the study of the digestive system of the decapods, constituted by the oesophagus, stomach, midgut tract, midgut gland, and hindgut. Nevertheless, in the midgut tract there are associated a set of organs called “midgut caeca”, which are among the most controversial and less studied digestive organs of this group. This work used the common spider crab Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922 as a model to resolve the origin, development, and potential role of the midgut caeca. Such organs were studied in the larvae (zoea I, zoea II, megalopa), first juveniles, and adult phases, being employed traditional and modern techniques: dissection, micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT), and light and electron microscopical analyses (TEM and SEM). Results. The common spider crab has a pair of anterior midgut caeca and a single posterior caecum that originate from the endoderm germ layer: they develop from the midgut tract, and their epithelium is composed by secretory cells while lacking a cuticle lining. The midgut caeca are small buds in the newly hatched larvae, enlarge linearly during the larval development, and then continue growing until became elongated and coiled blind-tubules in adults. The adult midgut caeca are internally folded to increase their inner surface. The electron microscopy observations showed that the midgut caeca are highly active organs with important macroapocrine and microapocrine secretory activity. Our results suggest that the role of the caeca might be related to the digestive enzyme secretion. The secretory activity should increase as the animal grows in size. Conclusion. The present study resolves the embryonic origin of the midgut caeca (endoderm derived organs), development (general lengthening starting from small buds), and role (active secretory organs). The secretory activity of the midgut caeca should be i

[EN] Animal welfare is considered as the well-being of non-human animals and covers the way they cope with the conditions in which they live. An animal is in a good state when it is healthy, well nourished, safe, capable of expressing its innate behaviour and not suffering any pain, fear or discomfort. However, demonstrating whether an animal experiences pain is not an easy task. Several endpoints need to be assessed depending on the animal group and the developmental stage. In this essay, we will focus on marine fishes in representation of vertebrates, cephalopods as invertebrate models, which are both subject to strict rules and regulations in terms of welfare in EU countries, and crustaceans, because they will soon be subject to these regulations. We chose these animal groups because they are research models of commercially exploited species at the ICM-CSIC. […], [ES] El bienestar animal es un concepto que determina el modo en que los animales afrontan de forma óptima las condiciones en las que viven. En general, se considera que un animal está en buen estado cuando está sano, bien alimentado y es capaz de expresar su comportamiento innato sin sufrir ningún dolor, miedo o malestar. Sin embargo, demostrar si un animal experimenta dolor no es una tarea fácil. Es necesario determinar toda una escala de valores específica para cada grupo de animales y para cada etapa de desarrollo. En este ensayo nos centraremos en tres grupos diferentes; los peces marinos como representación de los vertebrados, los cefalópodos como modelos de invertebrados, ambos estrictamente regulados en materia de bienestar en los países de la UE, y los crustáceos, puesto que en breve serán sometidos a estas regulaciones. La razón por la que consideramos a estos grupos se debe a que en el ICM-CSIC se utilizan como modelos de investigación. […], [CAT] El benestar animal és un concepte que determina la manera òptima com els animals afronten les condicions en què viuen. L’animal es troba en bon estat quan està sa, ben alimentat, capaç d’expressar el seu comportament innat i sense patir dolor, por, ni molèsties. Tanmateix, demostrar si un animal experimenta dolor no és una tasca fàcil. Cal avaluar diversos punts finals segons els diferents grups d’animals i l’etapa de desenvolupament. En aquest assaig, ens centrarem en els peixos marins en representació de vertebrats, els cefalòpodes com a models invertebrats, tots dos sotmesos a normes i regulacions estrictes en termes de benestar als països de la UE, i els crustacis, ja que aviat seran sotmesos a aquestes normatives. La raó per la qual assenyalem aquests grups d’animals es deu al fet que a l’ICM-CSIC són models de recerca d’espècies explotades comercialment. […]

[EN] The oceans provide important ecosystem services, and protein provisioning is one of the main benefits for humanity. The millenarian Mediterranean fishing activity today accounts for almost half of all the fisheries in the EU, and the use of high-impact fishing methods has made this human activity one of the main drivers of ecosystem degradation, especially in demersal and benthic environments (Puig et al. 2012). Bottom otter gear (hereafter trawling) causes the removal of sediments and endangers demersal living resources and their ecosystems, with fragile epi-faunal species being replaced by mobile scavengers or predators and long-lived species being replaced by short-lived species. In the Mediterranean Sea, many commercial demersal populations are being overexploited, reducing the economic benefits of fisheries and the ecosystem services associated with cultural aspects of iconic species. […], [ES] Los océanos proporcionan importantes servicios ecosistémicos, siendo el suministro de proteínas uno de los principales beneficios para la humanidad. La actividad pesquera del Mediterráneo constituye hoy en día casi la mitad de todas las pesquerías de la UE y el uso de métodos de pesca de alto impacto ha convertido a esta actividad en una de las principales impulsoras de la degradación de los ecosistemas de aguas profundas (Puig et al. 2012). El arte de pesca de arrastre provoca la eliminación de sedimentos y pone en peligro los recursos vivos demersales y sus ecosistemas, y las especies de epi-fauna frágiles son reemplazadas por especies carroñeras o depredadoras y las especies longevas son reemplazadas por especies de vida corta. En el mar Mediterráneo, muchas poblaciones de especies comerciales que habitan hábitats demersales están siendo sobreexplotadas, lo que reduce los beneficios económicos de la pesca y los servicios ecosistémicos asociados a los aspectos culturales de algunas especies consideradas icónicas. […], [CAT] Els oceans proporcionen importants serveis ecosistèmics, i és el subministrament de proteïnes un dels principals beneficis per a la humanitat. L’activitat pesquera mil·lenària del Mediterrani constitueix avui en dia gairebé la meitat de totes les pesqueres de la UE i la utilització de mètodes de pesca d’alt impacte ha convertit aquesta activitat humana en un dels principals impulsors de la degradació dels ecosistemes, especialment en entorns bentònics (Puig et al. 2012). L’art de pesca d’arrossegament provoca l’eliminació de sediments i posa en perill els recursos vius demersals i els seus ecosistemes, i les espècies d’epi-fauna fràgils són substituïdes per carronyaires o depredadors mòbils i les espècies de llarga vida són substituïdes per espècies de vida curta. A la mar Mediterrània, moltes poblacions demersals comercials estan essent sobreexplotades, el que redueix per a les espècies icòniques, els beneficis econòmics de la pesca i els serveis ecosistèmics associats amb els aspectes culturals. […]