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This working document presents the results on haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), whiting (Merlangius merlangius) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) caught in the Porcupine Spanish Groundfish Survey (SP-PORC-Q3) in 2023. Biomass, abundance, distribution and length frequency were analyzed. The biomass of M. aeglefinus decreased dramatically compared to the previous year and there were no captures of M. merlangius but small signs of recruits were found for M. aeglefinus. In addition, the incidental species Pleuronectes platessa was not found in the last survey and Pollachius pollachius has never been caught in the time series, but three individuals of Solea solea were found in one haul at 222 m, northeast of the study area, on the Irish shelf. The crustacean N. norvergicus has decreased slightly in this last survey and has done so for adults (larger than 26 mm) and also for small individuals (less than 21 mm), more markedly. However it increased considerably for juvenils (among 21 and 26 mm). The mean individual weight was slightly lower than in previous years.

This working document presents the results of Merluccius merluccius (hake), Lophius budegassa (black anglerfish), Lophius piscatorius (white anglerfish), Lepidorhombus boscii (four-spot megrim) and Lepidorhombus whi_agonis (megrim) caught on the Porcupine Spanish Groundfish Survey (SP-PORC-Q3) in 2023. Biomass, abundance, distribution and length frequency were analysed. Biomass of black anglerfish increased sharply in this last survey but recruits of this species decreased. White anglerfish, hake and megrims decreased and there were signs of recruitment for white anglesfish.

This working document presents the results of the most significant deep-sea fish species caught in 2023 on the Porcupine Spanish Groundfish Survey (SP-PORC-Q3). Biomass, abundance, geographical distribution and length ranges were analysed for silver smelt (Argentina silus and A. sphyraena), bluemouth (Helicolenus dactylopterus), greater fork-beard (Phycis blennoides), roughsnout grenadier (Trachyrincus scabrus), Spanish ling and ling (Molva macrophthalma and Molva molva) and other scarce deep sea species. Overall, the biomass of these target species decreased, except for A. sphyraena and H. dactylopterus reaching the highest values of the entire time series. The recruitment was poor.

This working document presents the results of the most significant elasmobranch species caught on the Porcupine Spanish Groundfish Survey (SP-PORC-Q3) in 2023. Biomass and abundance indices, spatial distribution and length frequency were analysed for Galeus melastomus (blackmouth catshark), Deania calceus (birdbeak dogfish), Deania profundorum (arrowhead dogfish), Scymnodon ringens (knifetooth dogfish), Scyliorhinus canicula (lesser spotted dogfish), Etmopterus spinax (velvet belly lantern shark), Dalatias licha (kitefin shark), Hexanchus griseus (bluntnose sixgill shark), Squalus acanthias (picked dogfish), Dipturus nidarosiensis (Norwegian skate), Dipturus batis (common skate), Dipturus intermedius (common skate), Leucoraja circularis (sandy ray) and Leucoraja naevus (cuckoo ray), Raja clavata (thornback ray) and Raja montagui (spotted ray). In 2023 the biomass of G. melastomus, H. griseus, S. ringens, E. spinax and D. licha increased but the remaining elasmobranchs decreased or were similar to the previous year. Signs of recruitment were only found for G. melastomus and E. spinax. Some species continue to be scarce in the standard hauls like S. acanthias, D. profundorum and D. intermedius. In the extra deep hauls below 1000 m in the Porcupine Seabight, the elasmobranchs Apristurus melanoasper, Centrophorus squamosus, Centroscymnus coelolepis and Centroscymnus crepidater were found. Some scarce but usual species in previous surveys, not found in 2023, were Raja clavata, Raja montagui, Apristurus laurussonii, Apristurus manis, Galeus murinus, Galeorhinus galeus, Centroscyllium fabricii, Centroscymnus crepidater, Oxynotus paradoxus, Neoraja caerulea and Rajella fyllae.

This working document presents the results of the most significant cephalopods caught on the Porcupine Spanish Groundfish Survey (SP-PORC-Q3) in 2023. Biomass, abundance, geographical distribution and length frequencies for Eledone cirrhosa (horned octopus), Bathypolypus sponsalis (globose octopus), Todarodes sagittatus (European flying squid), Todaropsis eblanae (lesser flying squid), Loligo forbesii (veined squid), Illex coindetii (broadtail shortfin squid), Rossia macrosoma (stout bobtail squid) and other scarce cephalopods have been analysed. The species T. sagitattus increased in terms of biomass and abundance, reaching the medium-high values in the time series, whereas T. eblanae increased only in biomass terms but decreased slightly in abundance terms. In contrast, E. cirrhosa, B. sponsalis, R. macrosoma and L. forbesii decreased and I. coindetii decreased strongly.

This working document presents the results on the most relevant commercial species caught on the Northern Spanish Shelf Groundfish Survey in 2023. Biomass, abundance, length distributions and geographic ranges were analysed on European hake (Merluccius merluccius), Fourspot megrim (Lepidorhombus boscii ), megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis), black monkfish (Lophius budegassa), white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius), sole (Solea solea), Pegusa lascaris and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). Information on other scarce fish species i.e. seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), pollack (Pollachius pollachius), and whitting (Merlangius merlangus) requested in ICES DCF Data call is also presented. Biomass of Lepidorhombus boscii, Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis, Lophius budegassa, Lophius piscatorius, Solea solea, Pegusa lascaris and Nephrops norvegicus increased, whereas Merluccius merluccius decreased this last survey. Dicentrarchus labrax was scarce as usual, Pollachius pollachius and Merlangius merlangus were not found in this last survey. Recruitment was significant for Lophius budegassa, Lophius piscatorius and more moderately for Lepidorhombus boscii.

This working document presents the results on the most significant deep-sea fish species on the Northern Spanish Shelf Groundfish Survey in 2023. Biomass, abundance, length distributions and geographic ranges were analysed for greater forkbeard (Phycis blennoides), Spanish ling (Molva macrophthalma), roughsnout grenadier (Trachyrincus scabrus), bluemouth (Heli-colenus dactylopterus) and other scarce deep-sea fish species. Biomass of M. macrophthalma and Pagellus bogaraveo increased, whereas P. blennoides, T. Scabrus, and H. dactylopterus decreased. Aphanopus carbo, Beryx spp. were scarce as usual and Coryphaenoides rupestris was not found in this last survey. Recruitment was significant for P. blennoides.

Diet studies on the endangered and genetically distinct Iberian population of the southern harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena are scarce. The present study provides updated information on the feeding ecology of this cetacean along the Galician coast (NW Spain) over the last 3 decades (1990-2018). The stomach contents of 72 stranded harbour porpoises were analysed to determine diet composition, to study which factors affect dietary variability and to estimate overlap between harbour porpoise diet and the target species of the fisheries in the study area, one of the most important fishing regions in Europe. Results showed that harbour porpoises are mainly piscivorous. We identified 33 prey taxa, but only 4 were important in the diet: fish of the genus Trisopterus, blue whiting Micromesistius poutassou, Atlantic horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus and European hake Merluccius merluccius. Interannual and ontogenetic variability in the diet were statistically significant, although differences in diet between sexes or between seasons were not detected. The diet of harbour porpoises from the Galician coast shows a partial overlap with fisheries catches in the area in terms of commercial fish species (≈61%) and size classes (≈45%), confirming the potential vulnerability of the Iberian population to interactions with fishing activities (i.e. bycatch in fishing gear and/or reduced prey availability)

Obtención de los patrones de distribución espacial e índices de abundancia de la fauna bentónica y demersal de la plataforma continental de Galicia y Mar Cantábrico. Estudio hidrográfico de la zona nerítica dirigido a su influencia sobre la distribución de las especies.

This working document presents the results on the most abundant elasmobranch species captured in the 2023 Northern Spanish Shelf groundfish survey. Biomass, abundance, length distributions and geographic ranges were analysed for Scyliorhinus canicula (lesser spotted dogfish), Galeus melastomus (blackmouth catshark), Etmopterus spinax (velvet belly), Hexanchus griseus (bluntnose sixgill shark), Raja clavata (thornback ray), Raja montagui (spotted ray), Leucoraja naevus (cuckoo ray), Raja brachyura (blonde ray) and other scarce elasmobranches. Biomass of S. canicula, G. melastomus, E. spinax, R. clavata, L. naevus and R. brachyura increased, whereas H. griseus and R. montagui decreased. S. ringens and Deania spp. were scarce as usual and only one or a few specimens of Dalatias licha, Dipturus nidarosiensis, Dipturus oxyrinchus, Leucoraja circularis and Raja polystigma were found.Signs of recruitment were found for E. spinax in additional deep hauls.

Authors wish to acknowledge the Ministry of the Environment (through project 136/PC08/3-11.2) for their financial support in this research., The hydrolysis process of bis-1,2-(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTSE) was studied in aqueous and methanol solutions at pH 4. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) evaluation of different solutions was carried out for 7 days. Unlike other researches, methanol-rich solutions are proven inadequate to reach a complete hydrolysis process. In water-rich solutions, hydrolysis takes place for 3 days, 85% of the silane molecules being transformed into silanols; this amount continues increasing up to the seventh day of hydrolysis., Ministry of Environment, Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de Materiales, Fac. de Ciencias Químicas, TRUE, pub

This working document presents the results of the pollock (Pollachius virens) caught in the Spanish Porcupine Survey (SP-PORC-Q3) in 2022. Biomass, abundance, distribution and length-frequency were analysed. The biomass of this species has been low for years but increased slightly in 2022.

Informe de los resultados obtenidos en la campaña Demersales 2022 para la estimación de los índices de abundancia y patrones de distribución espacial de la fauna bentónica y demersal de la plataforma continental de Galicia y Mar Cantábrico. Se representan resultados de las especies Merluccius merluccius, Lepidorhombus boscii, Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis, Lophius budegassa, Lophius piscatorius, Micromesistius poutassou, Scomber scomber, Trachurus trachurus, Scyliorhinus canicula, Trisopterus luscus, Nephrops norvegicus y otros crústáceos y cefalópodos. También se hace un seguimiento de la basura recogida, de los contenidos estomacales y de las condiciones hidrográficas, entre otros. Se adjuntan informes de relaciones tróficas e hidrografía.

This working document presents the results of the most significant elasmobranch species caught on the Porcupine Spanish Groundfish Survey (SP-PORC-Q3) in 2022. Biomass, abundance, distribution and length frequency were analysed for Galeus melastomus (blackmouth catshark), Deania calcea (birdbeak dogfish), Deania profundorum (arrowhead dogfish), Scymnodon ringens (knifetooth dogfish), Scyliorhinus canicula (lesser spotted dogfish), Etmopterus spinax (velvet belly lantern shark), Dalatias licha (kitefin shark), Hexanchus griseus (bluntnose sixgill shark), Squalus acanthias (picked dogfish), Dipturus nidarosiensis (Norwegian skate), Dipturus batis (common skate), Dipturus intermedius (common skate), Leucoraja circularis (sandy ray) and Leucoraja naevus (cuckoo ray), Raja clavata (thornback ray) and Raja montagui (spotted ray). In 2022 the biomass of S. canicula increased strikingly. The skates and rays also increased but the remaining elasmobranchs decreased or remained similar to the previous year. Signs of recruitment were only found for S. ringens and E. spinax. Some species remained scarce in the standard hauls like S. acanthias, D. profundorum, R. montagui, R. clavata and D. intermedius. In the extra-deep hauls below 1000 m in the Porcupine Seabight, the elasmobranchs Apristurus laurussonii, Apristurus manis, Galeus murinus, Centroscyllium fabricii, Centroscymnus crepidater and Rajella fyllae were found.

This working document presents the results of the most significant deep-sea fish species caught in 2022 on the Porcupine Spanish Groundfish Survey (SP-PORC-Q3). Biomass, abundance, geographical distribution and length ranges were analysed for silver smelt (Argentina silus and A. sphyraena), bluemouth (Helicolenus dactylopterus), greater fork-beard (Phycis blennoides), roughsnout grenadier (Trachyrincus scabrus), Spanish ling and ling (Molva macrophthalma and Molva molva) and other scarce deep sea species. Overall, the biomass of these target species increased in this last survey, except for P. blennoides and M. macrophthalma. Despite that raise, the recruitment was poor.

This working document presents the results of the most significant cephalopods caught on the Porcupine Spanish Groundfish Survey (SP-PORC-Q3) in 2022. Biomass, abundance, geographical distribution and length frequencies for Eledone cirrhosa (horned octopus), Bathypolypus sponsalis (globose octopus), Todarodes sagittatus (European flying squid), Todaropsis eblanae (lesser flying squid), Loligo forbesii (veined squid), Illex coindetii (broadtail shortfin squid), Rossia macrosoma (stout bobtail squid) and other scarce cephalopods have been analysed. The species I. coindetii, E. cirrhosa and B. sponsalis increased in terms of biomass and abundance, especially I. coindetii, reaching the highest value in the time series, whereas T. sagitattus increased only in abundance terms but decreased slightly in biomass terms. In contrast, T. eblanae and L. forbesii decreased slightly and R. macrosoma decreased strongly.

This working document presents the results on haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), whiting (Merlangius merlangius) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) caught in the Porcupine Spanish Groundfish Survey (SP-PORC-Q3) in 2022. Biomass, abundance, distribution and length frequency were analyzed. The biomass of these two fishes increased compared to the previous year. No signs of recruits were found for neither of the two species. In addition, the incidental species Pleuronectes platessa and Solea solea were not found in 2022 and Pollachius pollachius has never been caught in the time series. The crustacean N. norvergicus has increased strongly in this last survey and has done so for all the groups of sizes, thought more markedly in those smaller than 21 mm. However, the mean individual weight was slightly lower than in previous years.

This working document presents the results of Merluccius merluccius (hake), Lophius budegassa (black anglerfish), Lophius piscatorius (white anglerfish), Lepidorhombus boscii (four-spot megrim) and Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis (megrim) caught on the Porcupine Spanish Groundfish Survey (SP-PORC-Q3) in 2022. Biomass, abundance, distribution and length frequency were analysed. Biomass of anglerfishes increased sharply in this last survey and recruits of L. budegassa specially. Hake and megrims decreased and there were no signs of recruitment for any of them.