Data: 2014-11-05 02:30 PM
Orador/Formador: Patrícia Gonçalves
Local: IPMA Algés Lisboa
Contacto email:
Contacto telefónico: 213027000
Blue whiting Micromesistius poutassou (Risso, 1827), is a mesopelagic gadoid with a wide spatial distribution throughout the Northeast Atlantic, and depth ranging from the mid-shelf (50-100 m) to 1000 m and deeper. The highest densities are usually found on the upper part of the slope (200-500m). Data from pelagic surveys are commonly used to provide fishery-independent information for management. However, this species has also a demersal distribution, with diel vertical migrations to and from the bottom. As such, blue whiting data from bottom trawl surveys should also be explored. For the Portuguese coast, demersal surveys are annually performed since the 1990s and data for the ecological characterization of demersal communities are available since then. Also, two acoustic surveys aiming specifically at blue whiting were carried out in 1998 and 1999. This study highlights the difference obtained throughout two sampling strategies in a simple species case. Growth and sex-ratio data obtained from pelagic versus demersal surveys is presented.