Biomass HotSpot distribution model and spatial interaction of two exploited species of horse mackerel in the south-central Mediterranean Sea

Trachurus trachurus and Trachurus mediterraneus play an important role in the marine ecosystem and represent an important source of income for local economies related to fishery. This study aimed to improve the knowledge on the spatial distribution and habitat requirements of these two horse mackere...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 2018-10, Vol.821 (1), p.135-150
Main Authors: Giacomo, Milisenda, Germana, Garofalo, Samia, Fezzani, Okbi, Rjeibi, Othman, Jarboui, Bachra, Chemmam, Luca, Ceriola, Angelo, Bonanno, Simona, Genovese, Gualtiero, Basilone, Roberta, Mifsud, Valentina, Lauria, Michele, Gristina, Francesco, Colloca, Fabio, Fiorentino
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Biodiversity hot spots
Biomass
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Central Mediterranean Ecosystems
Discards
Distribution
Ecology
Exploitation
Fisheries
Fishery policy
Fishes
Freshwater & Marine Ecology
Habitat selection
Habitats
Hot spots
Life Sciences
Mackerel
Marine crustaceans
Marine ecosystems
Marine fishes
Oceanographic parameters
Parameter identification
Physical oceanography
Sea surface
Sea surface temperature
Segregation
Shrimp fisheries
Spatial distribution
Species
Strategic planning (Business)
Temperature (air-sea)
Trachurus mediterraneus
Trachurus trachurus
Zoology
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Summary:Trachurus trachurus and Trachurus mediterraneus play an important role in the marine ecosystem and represent an important source of income for local economies related to fishery. This study aimed to improve the knowledge on the spatial distribution and habitat requirements of these two horse mackerels in the south-central Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Sicily) by applying specie distribution models. Species’ biomass HotSpots, areas where the highest abundances are concentrated, were modelled as a function of physical and oceanographic parameters. Predictive distribution maps were produced to identify species-specific spatial patterns and possible overlapping in the distribution areas of the two congeneric species. Depth, bottom salinity, bottom sea temperature, sea surface temperature variation and slope were the main drivers for horse mackerels habitat suitability. Predictive distribution maps revealed a clear spatial segregation between biomass HotSpots of the two species, which depends on complex abiotic and biotic relationships. Since horse mackerels are the main component of discards produced by deep rose shrimp fishery in the Strait of Sicily and due to the importance of discard reduction in the current fishery policies, the results can provide important information for setting up spatial-based management strategies for the Strait of Sicily fisheries aimed in particular at minimizing unwanted by-catches.
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1007/s10750-017-3336-7