Com o apoio de/with the support of:

Governo dos Aores ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea IMAR Centro do IMAR da Universidade dos Aores DOP/Universidade dos Aores NOAA - National Marine Fisheries Service Census of Marine Life Projecto CONDOR / EEA Grants Projecto CoralFish Cmara Municipal da Horta OMA Observatrio do Mar dos Aores ZON Aores Marques e Silva Lda. Museu da Horta Sociedade Amor da Ptria Turangra, Viagens e Turismo

Ficha Tcnica: Elaborarao dos contedos Gui Menezes Vanda Carmo Criao Barro Aores Impresso Nova Grfica N. de Exemplares 250

Index

Index
Program................................................................................................................. Abstracts of Contributions Oral Communications and Posters....................... Session A - Governance and Legal Considerations......................................... Session B and D - Energy and Mineral Exploration and Development, Climate Change and Ocean Acidification....................................................... Session C and F - Deep Sea Technology and Biotechnology Research and Development........................................................................................................ Session E - Fisheries and Ecosystem Sustainability and Conservation............. Special Session - Linking Deep Sea Science to International Decisions: Vulnerable and Ecologically Significant Areas.................................................. Notepad................................................................................................................ 11 23 29 35 49 61 97 103

Program and Abstracts Book

ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE - CHAIRS OF THE CONFERENCE

Gui Menezes (Portugal) Robert Brock (USA)

INSTITUIES ORGANIZADORAS
IMAR Centro do IMAR da Universidade dos Aores Governo dos Aores ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea Universidade dos Aores Departamento de oceanografia e Pescas NOAA - National Marine Fisheries Service

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC STEERING COMMITTEE Gui Menezes (Portugal) Robert Brock (USA) Anthony Grehan (Ireland) Peter Auster (USA) Odd Askel Bergstad (Norway) Mrio Rui Pinho (Portugal) Dana Yoerger (USA) Antnio Pascoal (Portugal) Salvatory Arico (Italy) Telmo Morato (Portugal) Malcolm Clark (New Zealand) Ricardo S. Santos (Portugal) David Freestone (UK) Ana Colao (Portugal) Steve Scott (Canada) Marion Gehlen (France)

SECRETARIAT Vanda Carmo Sandra Silva Sandra Andrade Eva Giacomello Luis Costa Emmanuel Arand Alexandra Rosa Sara Luis Ivo Cristo Diana Catarino Iris Sampaio Paulo Castro Ricardo Medeiros Rute Matos Alierta Pereira Carmelina Leal Turangra, Viagens e Turismo

Program

PROGRAM Sunday - 26 April

18:30 - 20:30 Welcome reception at venue; Attendees registrations; Posters reception at venue

Monday - 27 April
8:30 - 9:00 9:00 - 10:00 10:20 - 10:40 10:40 - 11:00 Attendees registration (continuation) Opening session : Opening ceremony with the presence of local authorities Opening lecture: Paul Tyler Title: A perspective on the deep-sea: from curiosity to service provider? Coffee / Health break

Session A Governance and Legal Considerations

Co-Chairs: Rebecca Lent; Ronan Long
KN A1 David Freestone Title: Governance of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Towards a Principled Approach Authors: Marta Chantal Ribeiro Title: The environmental perspective: the legal challenges of protecting deep sea ecosystems through marine protected areas Authors: Lisa Speer and Kirsty Gjerde Title: Governing the Deep: Options for Integrated Management Authors: Ins Farias, Teresa Moura, Joana Barosa, Carlos Macedo, Mike Armstrong and Ivone Figueiredo Title: Cooperation between the fishing sector and the scientific community the black scabbardfish fishery in Portuguese continental slope case study Authors: Helena Calado, C. P. Lopes, R.S. Santos, S.V. Santos and L. Paramio Title: Legal Framework of the Azores Marine Park Manuel Pinto de Abreu Title: Shaping the Oceans Future: The Continental Shelf Extension Program Authors: Halvor Knutsen, Per Erik Jorde, Morten Skogen and Nils C. Stenseth Title: Large-scale population structure in roundnose grenadier

11:00 - 11:20 11:20 - 11:35 11:35 - 11:50 11:50 - 12:05

A2 A5

12:05 - 12:20 12:20 - 12:40 12:40 - 12:55 12:55 - 14:15

A6 KN E5 Lunch

Session B and D - Energy and Mineral Exploration, Climate Change and Ocean Acidification
Co-Chairs: Marion Gehlen, Steve Scott, Dorik Stow 12

14:30 - 14:50 14:50 - 15:10 15:10 - 15:25 15:25 - 15:45 15:45 - 16:00

KN KN B1 KN

Steve Scott Title: Future Mining of Seafloor Massive Sulfides Authors: Fernando Barriga, Jorge Relvas, Antnio Pascoal Title: Exploration for Massive Sulphide Deposits on the Sea Floor Authors: Cindy Lee Van Dover, J. Carlsson, P.-Y. Hsing, R. Jones, A. Sobel, T. Schultz and A. Thaler Title: Mining of Seafloor Massive Sulfides and Biodiversity: Whats at Risk? Dorrik Stow Title: Deep-Water Oil and Gas Exploration and Production: Current Challenge and Environmental Issues Authors: Harry H. Roberts and Robert S. Carney Title: Fluid-Gas Expulsion, Seafloor Response Features, and Chemosynthetic Communities: Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Slope

B5

16:00 - 16:20 16:20 - 16:35 16:35 - 16:55 16:55 - 17:15 17:15 - 17:30

Coffee / Health break B2 Authors: Lenaick Menot, Philippe Crassous, Jolle Galron and Myriam Sibuet Title: Long term in situ experiments on the macrobenthic response to drilling fluid contamination and organic matter enrichment on the Angola margin Authors: Robert S. Carney, Richard J. Weiland and Craig Scherschel Title: Industry-conducted ROV surveys of chemosynthetic communities on two contrasting deep-sea floors for the purpose of habitat protection during hydrocarbon development Marion Gehlen Title: Are Deep-Sea Ecosystems threatened by Human-Induced Changes in Seawater Chemistry? Authors: Linda Sedlacek, David Thistle, Kevin R. Carman, John W. Fleeger and James P. Barry Title: Effects of carbon dioxide on deep-sea harpacticoids Authors: James P. Barry and Eric F. Pane Title: Amplified Ocean Acidification in the Deep-Sea and the Treath to DeepSea Ecosystems Authors: Peter M. Haugan Title: Acidification from direct and indirect storage in the deep sea

B6

KN

D2

17:30 - 17:45 17:45 - 18:00

D3

D5

13

Tuesday - 28 April
Session C and F - Deep-Sea Technology and Biotechnology Research
Co-Chairs: Antnio Pascoal; Dana Yoerger; Roland Person; Salvatore Arico
9:00 - 9:20 KN Dana Yoerger Title: Autonomous Discovery, Mapping, and Sampling of Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents Authors: Yoshiyuki Kaneda and DONET group Title: Toward to understanding mega thrust earthquakes occurrence system and Disaster mitigation around the Nankai trough Southwestern JapanDONET Authors: Teresa Amaro, Roberto Danovaro, Marina R. Cunha and David Billett Title: Biodiversity and functioning of the deep sea: How do deep-sea holothurians live at 3400m in the Nazar Canyon? Authors: Imants (Monty) G. Priede Title: Studies on Deep Sea Benthic Fishes using Baited Camera Landers New Insights 500-10,000m depth Authors: Alfredo Damasceno-Oliveira, Jos Gonalves, Joo F. Silva, Hugo Santos and Joo Coimbra Title: Laboratory pressurizing systems for the study of aquatic organisms under deep ocean conditions

9:20 - 9:35

C1

9:35 - 9:50 9:50 - 10:05 10:05 - 10:20

C2

C3

C10

10:20 - 10:40 10:40 - 11:00 11:00 - 11:15

Coffee / Health break KN C6 Roland Person and ESONET partners Title: Deep sea observatory networks: a new science Authors: J. Sarrazin, J. Blandin, L. Delauney, S. Dentrecolas, J. Dupont, C. Le Gall, J. Legrand, P. Lon, J.P. Lvque, L. Peton, P. Rodier, R. Vuillemin and P.M. Sarradin Title: A glimpse into the deep, 45 days in the life of a vent mussel assemblage Authors: Erika H. Raymond, Danelle Cline, Craig Dawe, Duane Edgington, Steve Etchemendy, Gene Massion, Brian Schlining and Edith Widder Title: Real-time monitoring of megafauna from the Monterey Accelerated Research System Authors: Ana Colao, M. Cannat, J. Blandin, P.M. Sarradin and the MoMAR-D partners Title: MoMAR-D: A technological challenge to monitor the dynamics of the Lucky Strike vent ecosystem Authors: Raul Bettencourt, Sergio Stefanni, Mrio Laranjo, Valentina Costa, Domitlia Rosa, Lus Pires, Ana Colao, Humberto Lopes and Ricardo Serro Santos Title: Out of the Deep-sea into a land-based aquarium environment: Investigating physiological adaptations in the hydrothermal vent mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus

11:15 - 11:30 11:30 - 11:45

C7

C8

11:45 - 12:00

F2

14

12:00 - 12:15 12:15 - 12:35 12:35 - 14:00

C5

Authors: Sophie Arnaud-Haond, Jesus M. Arrieta, Carlos M. Duarte and Elie Jarmache Title: Bioprospecting in the High Seas: Problems and Promises Salvatore Arico Title: Marine genetic resources: An emerging economic use of the oceans?

KN Lunch

Session E - Fisheries and Ecosystem Sustainability and Conservation

Co-Chairs: Anthony Grehan; Peter Auster; Mrio Rui Pinho
KN Malcolm Clark Title: Mission impossible?? Balancing exploitation and conservation of Deepsea seamount fisheries orsteinn Sigursson Title: Conservation measures for fisheries and vulnerable habitats in the NEAFC regulatory Area Authors: Phil Large, Hashali Hamukuaya, Titus Lilende, Kumbi Kilongo, Reidar Toresen and Ben van Zyl Title: The south-east Atlantic recent progress in the management of deepwater fisheries and vulnerable marine ecosystems Authors: Francisco Snchez, A. Serrano, J.E. Cartes, I. Preciado, S. Parra, I. Frutos, F. Velasco, I. Olaso and J. C. Arronte Title: Estimating the MPA management effects on Le Danois Bank deep-sea ecosystem (El Cachucho) using trophodynamic modelization Authors: Neil Campbell, Francis Neat, Finlay Burns and Phil Kunzlik Title: Utility of indicators of community composition, length structure and diversity for monitoring the deep water demersal fish assemblage to the northwest of Scotland

14:15 - 14:35 14:35 - 14:55 14:55 - 15:10

KN

E26

15:10 - 15:25

E39

15:25 - 15:40

E47

15:40 - 16:00 16:00 - 16:20 16:20 - 16:35

Coffee / Health break KN Anthony Grehan, CoralFISH Consortium Title: Ecosystem based management of corals, fish and fisheries in the deep waters of Europe and beyond (CoralFISH) Authors: Kerry Howell and J.S. Davies Title: Progress toward the implementation of a network of marine protected areas in the NE Atlantic deep-sea: development of a biologically relevant classification system Authors: Graham Patchell Title: The Southern Indian Ocean Fishers Association approach to achieving sustainable deepwater fisheries on the high seas, while maintaining biodiversity. A model for RFMOs.

E12

16:35 - 16:50

E2

15

16:50 - 17:05

E7

Authors: Pablo Durn-Muoz, F. J. Murillo, M. Sayago-Gil, A. Serrano, I. Otero, M. Laporta and C. Gmez Title: Effects of bottom longline on vulnerable marine ecosystems in the highseas, based on data from a cooperative research with the fishing industry Authors: J.Alan Hughes, B.J. Bett, T. Horton, D.O.B. Jones and H. Ruhl Title: Deep-sea research and collaborating with the offshore industry: a case study off Angola Authors: Dominique Grboval, Jean-Franois Pulvenis de Sligny and Blaise Kuemlangan Title: The FAO International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-sea Fisheries in the High Seas Authors: Tom Blasdale Title: WGDEEP - assessing deep-sea fisheries in the ICES area

17:05 - 17:20

E34

17:20 - 17:35

E57

17:35 - 17:50

Wednesday - 29 April
Special Session - Linking Deep Sea Science to International Decisions: Vulnerable and Ecologically Significant Areas
Co-chairs: Jeff Ardron, Elizabeth McLanahan
9:00 Introduction A7 Jeff Ardron, Elizabeth McLanahan

Authors: Jessica Sanders, Alexis Bensch, Matthew Gianni, Dominique Grboval, Antonia Hjort and Merete Tandstad Title: Worldwide Review of Bottom Fisheries in the High Seas Authors: Matthew Gianni Title: Review of the implementation of the United Nations agreement to protect deep-sea ecosystems on the high seas: How well have high seas fishing nations performed? Authors: Thomas F. Hourigan, Elizabeth English and Shannon Dionne Title: Protecting Vulnerable Ecosystems in the Deep-Sea: Lessons from Habitat Conservation Efforts in the United States Authors: Andrew J. Davies, John M. Guinotte and J. Murray Roberts Title: Predicting the distribution of framework-forming cold-water corals

A3

P28

D5

Coffee / Health break E16 Authors: Peter J. Auster, Alex Rogers and Kristina Gjerde Title: A Precautionary Framework For Minimizing Impacts From High Seas Fisheries On Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems

16

Panel Discussion with the room Quick review of CBD & FAO decisions, criteria and work to date Jeff Ardron, Marine Conservation Biology Institute (MCBI) How can the criteria be (better) applied in the short term based on existing research and data? open discussion What additional research will be required in the medium term to fill critical gaps? open discussion Next steps open discussion Lunch FREE AFTERNOON

13:00 - 14:15

Thursday - 30 April

Session E - Fisheries and Ecosystem Sustainability and Conservation

Co-Chairs: Malcolm Clark; orsteinn Sigursson
B7 E30 E11 E40 Authors: Samantha Smith Title: An Environmental Impact Assessment of Seafloor Mineral Extraction Authors: Adolfo Gracia, Ana R. Vzquez-Bader, Enrique Lozano-Alvarez and Patricia Briones-Fourzn Title: A new deep-water penaeoid shrimp resource in the southern Gulf of Mexico Authors: Vladimir Laptikhovsky and Alexander Arkhipkin Title: Grenadier fishery and its management in the southwest Atlantic Authors: Mark A. Grace, Brandi Noble, Walter Nelson and Alonzo Hamilton Title: Fishery-independent bottom trawl surveys for deepwater fishes and invertebrates of the United States Gulf of Mexico Authors: Sergio Stefanni, Diana Catarino and Miguel Machete Title: Northern distribution limit of the intermediate scabbardfish Aphanopus intermedius (Parin, 1983) based on PCR-RFLPs screening

9:00 - 9:15 9:15 - 9:30

9:30 - 9:45 9:45 - 10:00 10:00 - 10:15 10:15 - 10:40 10:40 - 10:55 10:55 - 11:10

E61

Coffee/Health break E13 Authors: Fernando P. Carvalho and Joo M. Oliveira Title: Radionuclides in deep sea organisms from the North-East Atlantic Ocean E21 Authors: Mikko Heino, F. M. Porteiro, T. T. Sutton, T. Falkenhaug, O. R. God, and U. Piatkowski Title: Catchability of pelagic trawls for sampling deep-living nekton in the mid North Atlantic Authors: Filipe M. Porteiro, Ricardo S. Santos and Richard D.M. Nash Title: North Atlantic mesopelagic biodiversity as perceived by the stomiid fish fauna

11:10 - 11:25

E50

17

11:25 - 11:40 11:40 - 11:55 11:55 - 12:10 12:10 - 12:25

E32

Authors: Izaskun Preciado, Joan Cartes, Francisco Velasco, Ignacio Olaso, Alberto Serrano, Inmaculada Frutos and Francisco Snchez Title: Trophic relationships in a benthic-demersal deep-sea fish assemblage: linking benthic and benthopelagic food web Authors: Vladimir Laptikhovsky Title: Deep- sea fishery resources and fisheries around the Falkland Islands Authors: Pascal Lorance Title: Overexploitation of the red (=blackspot) seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo in the Bay of Biscay in the 1970s: dynamics and consequences Authors: Sheila J. J. Heymans, Kerry Howell, Morag Ayers, John Gordon, Emma Jones and Francis Neat Title: Long term trends and the impact of fishing on deep sea sharks off the West Coast of Scotland Authors: Allen Andrews, D. Tracey, G. Cailliet, M. Dunn, C. Brooks, J. Ashford, L. Kerr, J. Butler, C. Kastelle, K. Coale, T. Brown, and P. Cowley Title: Lead-radium and bomb radiocarbon dating: age validation of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus), and cowcod (Sebastes levis )

E1 E45

E22

12:25 - 12:40

E65

13:00 - 14:15

Lunch

Session E - Fisheries and Ecosystem Sustainability and Conservation

Co-Chairs: Malcolm Clark; orsteinn Sigursson
E36 Authors: Jasmin Godbold, John Gordon, David M. Bailey, Martin A. Collins and Imants G. Priede Title: Changes in the Deep-Sea Demersal Fish stocks of the Porcupine Seabight (NE Atlantic) Authors: Lucia Bongiorni, M. Mea, A. Pusceddu and R. Danovaro Title: Deep-water corals promote deep-sea beta biodiversity along continental margins Authors: F.J. Murillo, P. Durn Muoz, A. Altuna Prados and A. Serrano Title: Distribution of deep-water corals of the Flemish Cap, Flemish Pass and the Grand Banks of Newfoundland (Northwest Atlantic Ocean): interaction with fishing activities Authors: Imants G. Priede, Nicola King, Mark Inall, A. Rus Hoelzel, Andrew S. Brierley, David S.M. Billett and Peter Miller Title: Ecosystems of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge The ECOMAR project Authors: Diana Catarino, Gui Menezes and Sergio Stefanni Title: Deep-sea fishing surveys on eight seamounts in the North-East Atlantic Authors: Jos A. A. Perez, Paulo R. Pezzuto, Roberto Wahrlich and Ana L. S. Soares Title: Deepwater fisheries in Brazil: history, status and perspectives

14:15 - 14:30

14:30 - 14:45 14:45 - 15:00

E35

E62

15:00 - 15:15 15:15 - 15:30 15:30 - 15:45

C4

E64 E59

18

15:45 - 16:00

E33

Authors: Ivone Figueiredo, Teresa Moura, Pedro Bordalo-Machado, Miriam Guerra, Maria Jos Gaudncio and Graa Pestana Title: Abundance estimation and mapping of Geryonid species in South-East Atlantic - Results from a Portuguese exploratory trap survey

16:00 - 16:15 16:15 - 16:30 16:30 - 16:45

Coffee / Health break E42 Authors: Tracey Sutton, J.E. Hoffman, O.A. Bergstad, T. Falkenhaug, F. Porteiro, M. Heino, C.I.H. Anderson, J. Horne and A. Bucklin Title: Trophic pathways of the mid-North Atlantic Authors: Julio Portela, J.L. del Ro, J. Acosta, S. Parra, J. Cristobo, M. Sacau, T. Patrocinio, R. Vilela, P. Ros, and A. Muoz Title: Preliminary analysis of interactions between Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and fishing activities on the High Seas (HS) of the SW Atlantic Authors: Jose A. A. Perez and Eliana Alves Title: The patterns of life in the South Atlantic mid-oceanic ridge system: stateof-the-art and the development of a South Atlantic MAR-ECO project (CoML)

E28

16:45 - 17:00 17:00 - 17:20 17:20 - 17:40 17:40 - 18:00 20:00

E58

Clossing session: Reception of local authorities Closing lecture: Roberto Danovaro Title: Deep-sea biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: present knowledge and perspectives in a changing world Symposium closing ceremony with the presence of local authorities Symposium dinner

Posters
B3 Authors: Maria Baker, Stace Beaulieu, Christopher German, Maurice Tivey and Eva Ramirez-Llodra Title: Going for Gold Authors: Daphne Cuvelier, Joze Sarrazin, Ana Colao, Jon Copley, Daniel Desbruyres, Adrian Glover, Paul Tyler and Ricardo Serro Santos Title: Community dynamics between 1994 and 2008 on an Atlantic hydrothermal edifice as revealed by high-resolution video image analysis Authors: Rui Pedro Vieira and Joo P. Barreiros Title: Preliminary data on the relationship between W/L and venom glandular tissue of 3 Scorpaenidae species of Azores, NE Atlantic, Portugal Authors: Fathi Elosta Title: The Simulation Geological for water Shortage from Jifarah Plain Basin Northwest of Libya Authors: Sandra Sequeira, A. Mendona, A. Martins, M. Figueiredo and G. Lopes Title: An Oceanographic Atlas for the Azores region at AZODC (AZOres Oceanographic Data Centre) C11

F1

D1 D4

19

D7

Authors: R.S. Lampitt, K.E. Larkin, Marion Gehlen and the EuroSITES Consortium Title: EuroSITES European Ocean Observatory Network: a tool to understand the global Ocean response to climate change. Authors: David R. Bryan, Kirk Kilfoyle, R. Grant Gilmore, Jr. and Richard E. Spieler Title: Role of vessel-reef habitat for fish assemblages on low relief substrate in 50 to 120 m depths Authors: Sarah F. Goldman and George R. Sedberry Title: Feeding Habits of some Demersal Fishes on the Charleston Bump Off the Southeastern United States Authors: Pablo Durn Muoz, M. Sayago-Gil, S. Parra, A. Serrano, J. Cristobo, V. Daz del Rio, T. Patrocinio, M. Sacau, J. Murillo, D. Palomino and L. M. Fernndez-Salas Title: ECOVUL/ARPA: An interdisciplinary methodology for the identification of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the Hatton Bank high-seas fisheries (ICES VIb1 and XIIb) Authors: Kirsty Kemp, Kirsty Morris and Alex Rogers Title: Biodiversity and benthic ecology of bathyal seamounts in the Faial Channel, Azores Authors: Snia Olim and T. C. Borges Title: Discard and By-catch composition in the crustacean trawlers in south Portugal (Algarve coast) Authors: Vanda Carmo, Odd Aksel Bergstad, Tone Falkenhaug, Gui Menezes and Tracey Sutton Title: Preliminary results on feeding ecology of Stomiiforme fishes of the northern mid-Atlantic Authors: Fernando P. Carvalho, Joo M. Oliveira and A. Monge Soares Title: Sediment accumulation and bioturbation rates in the deep North-East Atlantic determined by radiometric techniques Authors: Francis Neat Title: Fish assemblages, sensitive deepwater habitats and fishing activity in the Rockall Trough, NE Atlantic Authors: Miriam Sayago-Gil, P. Durn-Muoz, V. Daz-del-Ro and L. M. Fernndez-Salas Title: Geo-environmental constrains in relation to deep sea ecosystems in Hatton Bank (NE Atlantic Ocean): morphodynamic drivers Authors: Adriana Alves, Graa Faria, Ana Rita Gis, Rui Reis and Sofia Vieira Title: Reproductive biology of pink dentex, Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque, 1810), from the northeast Atlantic (Madeira Archipelago) using a histology technique Authors: Adriana Alves and Joana Vasconcelos Title: Age and growth of pink dentex, Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque, 1810), caught in Madeira Archipelago Authors: Miguel Machete, Gui Menezes Title: Black Scabbard Fish (Aphanopus carbo) fishery in the Azores: finding the unknown through observers data Authors: Ana Rita Vieira, Ivone Figueiredo and Gui Menezes Title: Knowing the Condor seamount live: best techniques to age common mora (Mora moro) and bulls-eye (Epigonus telescopus)

E3

E5

E6

E8 E9

E10 E14 E15

E17

E18

E19

E23 E25

20

E27

Authors: Fernando Tempera, Andreia Henriques, Filipe Porteiro, Ana Colao and Gui Menezes Title: Constraining the geomorphological setting of deep-sea biotopes using high resolution bathymetry at the Condor de Terra seamount Authors: Teresa Moura, Leonel S. Gordo and Ivone Figueiredo Title: Mitochondrial DNA analysis of the genetic structure of Portuguese dogfish Centroscymnus coelolepis and leafscale gulper shark Centrophorus squamosus along the NE Atlantic Authors: Joana Carvalho, Hugo Diogo, Joo Pereira and Mrio Pinho Title: Recruitment of Pagellus bogaraveo of the azores (ICES XA2): habitat and pressures Authors: Alberto Serrano, F. Snchez, J.E. Cartes, S. Parra, M. Gmez-Ballesteros, I. Preciado and I. Frutos Title: Vulnerable habitats and threatened species distribution of El Cachucho deep sea MPA Authors: Emma G. Jones, Helen Dobby, Lynda Allan, Francis Neat and Finlay Burns Title: Aspects of the biology of deepwater squalid sharks in the Rockall Trough Authors: Cristina Rodrguez-Cabello, F. Snchez, A. Serrano and A. Punzn Title: The status of chondricthyes species in deep waters of the Cantabrian Sea Authors: ris Sampaio, Filipe Porteiro, Andreia Braga-Henriques, Diana Catarino, Valentina Matos and scar Ocaa Title: Azorean Deep-Water Corals Communities as perceived from bottom Long Line Fisheries Surveys Authors: Eduardo Isidro, Mrio Pinho, Octvio Melo, Ana Santos, Jos I. Santana, Igncio J. Lozano and PESCPROF Consortium Title: Estimating the biomass and fishing potential of the shrimp Plesionika edwardsii (Brandt, 1851) off the Azores Authors: Brbara Serra-Pereira, Teresa Moura, Leonel Serrano Gordo and Ivone Figueiredo Title: How Raja clavata is genetically related to coastal and deep-water rajid species? Authors: Ole Thomas Albert, Elvar Hallfredsson, Benjamin Planque, ge Hines, Tone Vollen Title: Deep-sea fish assemblages in the Eastern Norwegian Sea, and their vulnerability to fisheries Authors: Marina Carreiro-Silva, A. Braga-Henriques, F. Porteiro, I. Sampaio, V. Matos and O. Ocaa Title: Association between Callogorgia verticillata ( Primnoidae, Anthozoa) and an epizoan zoanthid anemone in the Azores Region Authors: Andreia Braga-Henriques, Marina Carreiro-Silva, Filipe Porteiro, Valentina Matos, ris Sampaio, Oscar Ocaa and Srgio vila Title: The association of the gastropod Pedicularia sicula (Caenogastropoda: Ovulidae) with the hydrocoral Errina dabneyi in the Azores Authors: Valentina Matos, Andreia Braga-Henriques, Marina Carreiro-Silva Filipe Porteiro, ris Sampaio, Oscar Ocaa Title: Description of a new species of Leiopathes (Antipatharia, Leiopathidae) from the NE Atlantic Authors: Eva Giacomello and Gui Menezes Title: CONDOR - Observatory for long-term study and monitoring of Azorean seamount ecosystems

E29

E37 E38 E44 E48 E49

E51

E53 E55

E56

E60

E63

E66

21

Abstracts of Contributions
Oral Communications and Posters

Opening Lecture

A perspective on the deep-sea: from curiosity to service provider?

Paul Tyler

The origins of the study of deep-sea ecology lie in the intellectual curiosity of a small group of scientists in the mid and late 19th century and early 20th century, the so-called heroic age. To the common man the deepsea was remote and liable to be inhabited by unimaginary monsters so as to be beyond comprehension. Thus the discoveries of the deep sea were confined to a few, especially taxonomists and systematists. Up to the mid 20th Century knowledge and interest remained in this tight band. With increases in technology, scientific interest in the deep sea was reinvigorated in the 1960s and has continued to expand with each major discovery such as high biodiversity, ecosystems driven by chemosynthesis, seasonality and benthic storms. For 120 years our knowledge of the deep sea was ahead of any exploitation or anthropogenic impact. Post 1970 there was an increased awareness of the services the deep sea could provide. Manganese nodule mining and the disposal of radioactive waste were among the first potential impacts on the deep sea. Pilot studies and pre-exploitation analysis of the deep sea ran hand in hand. Less happily was the extension of commercial fishing into the deep sea before the biology of the species being exploited was understood. Suddenly, potential anthropogenic impact had overtaken scientific knowledge of the deep sea. This balance is fine and unknown impacts such as temperature rise and acidification of the ocean interior may be having consequences we are not yet able to predict. And a last compounding factor is that much of the worlds oceans lie beyond national jurisdiction. In this paper I will address the history of deep-sea biology and the relationship between science and the services that the deep sea can provide to humankind.

Contact author: Paul Tyler, National Oceanography Centre, European Way Southampton SO14 3ZH UK [tel: 0044 2380 592557, e-mail: pat8@noc.soton.ac.uk]

25

Closing Lecture

Deep-sea biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: present knowledge and perspectives in a changing world
Roberto Danovaro

Deep-sea ecosystems, for their complexity and inaccessibility, represent the last frontier of ecological research. There is increasing evidence that most of the unknown-yet biodiversity is hosted in the deep and during the last ten years, enormous progresses have been made towards the comprehension of their biodiversity and functioning. Hot spot deep-sea ecosystems are being found much more widely distributed and more extended than previously thought. Recent results provide evidence that large sectors of the continental margins are actually hot spot ecosystems, characterised by an extremely high biodiversity (alpha diversity). These systems are also extremely heterogeneous (being characterised by the presence of stable and unstable slopes, canyons, landslides, seeps etc) and new findings suggest that also their turnover () diversity is extremely high. A recent discovery revealed that deep-sea ecosystem functioning is exponentially related to biodiversity, and that ecosystem efficiency is linked to functional biodiversity. These results indicate that a higher biodiversity supports higher rates of ecosystem processes and an increased efficiency with which these processes are performed. The exponential relationships of deepsea ecosystems provide scientific evidence that even a minor biodiversity loss in the deep sea might have serious consequences on the functioning of the largest biome of the biosphere. This result is of particular concern on the light of the potential impact of recent climate changes on deep-sea ecosystems, which altering their biodiversity on a large scale can potentially cause a collapse of deep-sea ecosystem functioning.

Contact author: Roberto Danovaro, Department of Marine Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy [e-mail: r.danovaro@nivpm.it]

27

Session A
Governance and Legal Considerations

Keynote

Governance of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Towards a Principled Approach

David Freestone

It is more than twenty-five years since the finalization of the comprehensive legal regime of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC) but that new regime has not been able to provide an adequate framework for the protection of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) from unparalleled impacts from new human activities, such as bottom trawling on seamount ecosystems, and from the increased intensity of existing activities, such as huge increases in maritime transportation, pollution from garbage and traditional fishing techniques. Nor has the legal framework been able to keep pace with the need to regulate either the exploitation of valuable new resources that have been discovered in high seas areas be they highly vulnerable deep ocean fish species, ocean thermal vents with accompanying life forms that can live in temperatures as hot as 300-600C, or cold seeps or proposals for geo-engineering activities such as ocean fertilization. In 2008 the IUCN Global Marine Programme decided to help clarify the existing principles that should apply to ABNJ and in September 2008 issued a document: 10 Principles of High Seas Governance for public review and comment. This keynote will explain the aims and legal underpinnings of these Principles.
Contact Author: David Freestone, The George Washington University Law School 2000 H St NW, Washington DC 20052 [tel: 202-994-0250, fax: 202-994-5654, e-mail: dfreestone@law.gwu.edu]

Keynote

Shaping the Oceans Future: The Continental Shelf Extension Program

Manuel Pinto de Abreu

The delineation of the continental shelf under article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is underway and the first national programs have been recently concluded. About sixty coastal states are thought as candidates for the legally driven, scientifically supported, and peacefully achieved, acquisition of new territories, of the sea-bed and subsoil. The sovereign rights do not depend on occupation, effective or notional, or on any expressed proclamation. The continental shelf process is an investment in the future. The states will exercise over the new territory, sovereign rights for the purpose of scientific exploration or economic exploitation of its natural resources. This quest will foster a clearer and more certain investment; will make a significant contribution to economic and social prosperity. The resulting sea of knowledge will support the improved protection and preservation of the marine environment. The setup and major challenges of the continental shelf delineation process are considered and an overview of the Portuguese project will be presented, namely the competence and capacity build-up, the data collection storage and management, the research development and innovation activities, the institutional cooperative framework and the public outreach. The new map of sovereignties will shape the oceans future.
Contact Author: Manuel Pinto de Abreu, EMEPC Rua Costa Pinto, 165 2770-047 Pao de Arcos [tel: +351 21 300 4165, fax: +351 21 390 5225, e-mail: responsavel@emepc-portugal.org]

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A1

The environmental perspective: the legal challenges of protecting deep sea ecosystems through marine protected areas
Marta C. Ribeiro

MPA have proven to be efficient tools to protect marine biodiversity and the ecological processes and to manage related human activities. Assuming a wide concept, MPA have also proven to be a valuable tool in the context of sustainable fisheries. Today there is an international exhortation and a regional duty for creating MPA to protect deep sea ecosystems, either in maritime zones under coastal State jurisdiction or beyond its jurisdiction. The purpose of this paper is to underline the legal challenges of adopting MPA protective rules taking into account UNCLOS framework. First we consider the creation of MPA in the continental shelf and EEZ. The principal power and duty remains within coastal State. Although there are several difficulties that coastal State has to face to achieve the adoption of effective and efficient protective rules regarding third States, namely: 1) freedom of navigation cannot be jeopardized; 2) bioprospecting development raises doubts about what we might consider marine scientific research; 3) EEC exclusive competence on fisheries policy demands for a convincing diplomatic effort. We present Rainbow hydrothermal vent field as a peculiar case study: the first national MPA in perspective under waters with high seas status. Second we discuss the encouragement for creating MPA in maritime zones beyond coastal State jurisdiction. This challenge implies, remarkably, a problem of governance. We are at the beginning of diplomatic talks (e.g.: CBD). At academic level there are some proposals of models of governance, namely associated to the extension of International Seabed Authority powers.
Contact author: Marta C. Ribeiro, Faculty of Law of University of Porto and Centre for Legal and Economic Research (CIJE), Rua dos Bragas, 223 4050 - 123 Porto, Portugal [tel: +351 964 403 643, e-mail: mchantal@direito.up.pt]

A2

Governing the Deep: Options for Integrated Management

Lisa Speer and Kirsty Gjerde

Human induced impacts are multiplying rapidly in deep ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction. Many human activities on the high seas remain poorly managed and some are not subject to any internationally agreed controls. The stove-piped nature of the current high seas regulatory regime means that there is no mechanism for coordinating environmental assessment and management across the range of different human activities with the potential to affect the deep ocean. This makes it difficult to implement integrated, ecosystem based management or establish multi-sector marine protected areas. As industrial activity, ocean warming and acidification accelerate, the imperative to update the current fragmented high seas regime with a more rational, integrated and ecosystem-based management approach has become urgent. This paper examines options for moving toward that goal and offers possible next steps.
Contact author: Lisa Speer, Natural Resources Defense Council, 40 West 20th Street New York, NY 10011, USA [tel: 212-727-4426, e-mail: lspeer@nrdc.org]

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A5

Cooperation between the fishing sector and the scientific community the black scabbardfish fishery in Portuguese continental slope case study
Ins Farias, Teresa Moura, Joana Barosa, Carlos Macedo, Mike Armstrong and Ivone Figueiredo

The Sesimbra community has a long tradition in the artisanal longline fishery. Since the early 1980s, with the start of the black scabbardfish exploitation, this fishing community has been strongly depending on deep-water fish resources. Deep-water sharks are a significant by-catch of this fishery as well as some species that are discarded on board. The black scabbardfish as well as most of the deep-water sharks fisheries are being managed through the establishment of Total Allowable Catches. A tendency for reducing the fishing quotas has been observed these past years, particularly for sharks. The role of the scientific community is crucial to improve the communication between managers and fishermen by explaining the importance of management restrictions, not only in terms of species conservation but also for the maintenance of the fishery itself. The project Joint data collection between the fishing sector and the scientific community in Western Waters intends to supply a tool for the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy, promoting the cooperation between everyone who takes part in the fishing activities. The aim of this project is to engage fishermen, scientists and stakeholders in fisheries assessment and management, including: i) collecting fishery information; ii) self sampling; and iii) involvement in quality assurance and interpretation of the results. This work presents a preliminary analysis of the data collected by fishermen of Portuguese black scabbardfish fishery. Furthermore, the main problems found in the self sampling protocols are identified and solutions are proposed.
Contact author: Ins Farias, Unidade de Recursos Marinhos e Sustentabilidade, Instituto de Investigao das Pescas e do Mar (INRB, L-IPIMAR, I.P.), Avenida de Braslia, 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal [tel: +351 213027108, fax: +351 213015948, e-mail:ifarias@ipimar.pt]

A6

Legal Framework of the Azores Marine Park

H. Calado, C. P. Lopes, R.S. Santos, S.V. Santos and L. Paramio In June 25tht 2007, the Regional Government of the Azores approved the Regional Law 15/2007/A. That document established an unprecedented reform in the juridical regime that managed and classified the Regional Azorean Protected Areas Network. According to rule 17 in that regime, the Azores Marine Park constitutes, along with the Island Natural Parks, the base for the management of the new Network. These two entities will be managed by an organized structure and concept of their own, lined by objectives of nature conservation, biodiversity preservation, sustainable development and quality of life. In that sense, a proposal for the Azores Marine Park is under discussion. It is based on the main three types of habitat with a high biological diversity in the Azorean Sea: seamounts, hydrothermal vents and high sea areas. The continuing investigation has also provided the necessary information for considering these as vulnerable marine habitats. The planning methodologies for the existing marine protected areas are varied, but in this specific case, the application to the mentioned Azorean habitats is framed by the World Commission for Protected Areas (WCPA) of the IUCN methods. The legal framework is based in several international instruments, such as the United Nations Convention Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that establishes the legal basis for the protection and sustainable development of the marine environment outside the national jurisdiction. The UNCLOS determinations are by turn supported by other international agreements, such as

33

the OSPAR Convention where, in annex V, it is agreed for the contracting parts the necessity of establishing programs and measures for the protection of the ecosystems and marine biodiversity. These include, among others, the species identification, habitats and ecological procedures, together with the designation of marine protected areas (MPA). This was approved by Portugal as a contracting part of the OSPAR Convention by means of the National Law 7/2006, published in January 9th. The present analysis tries to give a complete road map of the process that led to the Azores Marine Park proposal. The road map begins with the UNCLOS Article 76 disposition, which allows the extension of the maritime continental platforms beyond the 200 nautical miles limit, ending on the constitution in Portugal of the Structure Mission for Continental Shell Extension, with the 2009 deadline to present its proposal. The analysis also intends to give a vision of the Azores Marine Park: rules, areas, classes, and institutional arrangements. The areas classified are supported by scientific studies among the Regional Scientific Community and an enlightenment of those is also presented. At the end, a balance of the obstacles that are still to overcome is made, especially those concerning the respect for the Portuguese Constitutional Law.
Contact author: Helena Calado, University of the Azores, Geography Section/Biology Dept. University of the Azores 9500 Ponta Delgada [tel: +351296650479, fax: +351296650100, e-mail: calado@uac.pt]

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Session B and D
Energy and Mineral Exploration and Development, Climate Change and Ocean Acidification

Keynote

Future Mining of Seafloor Massive Sulfides

Steve D. Scott

We are witnessing the beginning of a new mining era of recovering base metals (copper, zinc, lead) and precious metals (silver, gold) from seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits on the deep ocean floor. These deposits are produced from high-temperature hot springs (black smokers) as were volcanic-hosted massive sulfides (VMS) that formed in ancient oceans as much as 3.4 billion years ago and are now mined on land. Such hydrothermal sites are found today intermittently on seamounts, along the 66,000 km of midocean spreading ridges and in 22,000 km of volcanic island arcs and back-arcs. Because of their higher metal content, deposits in the arc setting are the most prospective for industry. Oceans and seas cover 71 % of Earth. The surface area of the Pacific Ocean alone is greater than that of all the continents. More than three-quarters of this vast territory is deep ocean basins. Even though the seafloor has only been partially explored, about 350 SMS deposits are known or inferred and it has been estimated that there are more than 1000 in total. Most are small but they commonly occur in clusters so that sufficient tonnage may be developed over a small area to generate a viable mining venture. Seafloor mining will not replace mining on land but it does represent a new additional source of metals. Mining SMS has an advantage over mining on land because of its reusable infrastructure (ship, mining machine and recovery system) whereas, on land, the infrastructure cost of extensive excavations, roads, power generation, power transmission and accommodation have to be amortized over the life of a mine. Currently, two private companies, operating out of Australia with major mining companies as partners or financial backers, are opening up this new mining frontier. Each holds or has applications for tenements covering hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of the seabed. Nautilus Minerals has applied for a mining license for its Solwara 1 site in Papua New Guineas (PNG) eastern Manus back-arc basin in the Bismarck Sea. An economic evaluation to strict securities commission regulations was completed in February 2008 and an environmental assessment has been submitted and deemed to be complete by the PNG government. Neptune Minerals, although they have not yet identified a mineable deposit, holds tenements and applications for several sites in the western Pacific and in the Mediterranean. A third Australian company, Bluewater Metals, is presently organizing. Government agencies in China, Japan and South Korea also have exploration programs for SMS. As typically happens in mining, when one or more of these ventures becomes successful, other explorers are sure to follow. Financial and technological challenges for recovering SMS deposits are surmountable. Nautilus had contracted for a ship, two mining machines and a recovery system but these are now in limbo on account of the current global financial crisis. Much of the knowledge about working in deep water is coming from the oil industry that has large installations far offshore. Environment is an issue and is being carefully assessed by the companies using highly trained biological and earth scientists. The expectation is that, overall, recovery of SMS will be less environmentally deleterious than mining on land although there is legitimate concern over the state of knowledge of the special ecosystems at potential mining sites. Portugals Azores Mid-Atlantic Ridge EEZ and contiguous regions contain SMS deposits although, at the present level of exploration, these appear to be small. However, if enough deposits constituting a cluster can be identified, their mining might be a possibility. Recent experience in the western Pacific (Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea; Lau Basin, Tonga) has demonstrated that experienced industry geologists are much better at exploring for and defining potentially mineable SMS than are research scientists. The latters main purpose is to understand the geological and geophysical processes that are creating SMS and revealing their biology rather than concern about their potential economic value. By working together, the researchers and industry can greatly expand our knowledge about the deep seafloor to our mutual benefit.
Contact author: Steven D. Scott, Scotiabank Marine Geology Research Laboratory, Department of Geology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3B1 [tel: +1-416-978-5424; e-mail: scottsd@geology.utoronto. ca] and Marine Mining Consultants, 85 Glenview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4R 1P9 [tel: +1-416-483-5431; e-mail: info@marineminingconsultants.com]

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Keynote

Deep-Water Oil and Gas Exploration and Production: Current Challenge and Environmental Issues
Dorrik Stow

There are an estimated 1300-1400 oil and gas fields, including discoveries and producing fields, known from deep-water turbidite and related plays. Many of the older fields are from well-established provinces such as California, the North Sea, and Gulf of Bohai, which presently lie beneath the continent or shallow shelf waters. However, following over two decades of major technological advance, driven in large part by dwindling nearshore reserves and a burgeoning market, many important discoveries have and are being made in truly deep water beneath the present day continental slope. Some of the most productive areas include the Gulf of Mexico slope, the Campos Basin offshore Brazil, the Niger Delta slope, an extensive region of the West African slope, and offshore NW Scotland. Currently less developed regions include remote parts of the Mackenzie Delta slope, the Margarita Basin off Venezuela, the northern slope off Borneo, the East Indian margin and off the NW Australian Shelf. Although ultimate rewards can be sweet, the economic challenge of deep-water drilling can be daunting, where single wells may cost in excess of $100 million, and purpose-designed drilling rigs in excess of $500 million. The scientific challenge is to continually improve our detailed understanding of deepwater subsurface systems, using ever-more sophisticated remote surveying, together with modern and ancient outcrop analogues, in order to narrow the odds of exploration success and better design the most realistic geological models possible for the production engineer. Drilling technology now permits exploration in water depths up to 3000 m and drilling a further 8000 m sub-seafloor, although working at these extremes is never without day-to-day problems. Further challenges remain for the production engineer, including extreme temperature changes, freezing clathrates, seafloor completion, collection and transport, and the natural geo-hazards caused by active slope processes. With some partial exceptions, the drive into progressively deeper water has been made without due concerns for the pristine and generally unknown submarine environment in which operations are carried out. Comprehensive environmental surveys both before and after drilling operations should form an automatic requirement associated with all deep-water licenses issued. These should be externally commissioned surveys with open results. One percent of exploration costs, followed by further negotiation at the field development phase, would seem an appropriate target figure.
Contact author: Dorrik Stow, ECOSSE, Edinburgh Collaborative of Subsurface Science and Engineering, Institute of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK [e-mail: dorrik.stow@pet.hw.ac.uk]

Keynote

Exploration for Massive Sulphide Deposits on the Sea Floor

Fernando J.A.S. Barriga, Jorge M.R.S. Relvas, Antnio M.S. Pascoal

There are more than 300 occurrences of sulphide mineralisations on the sea floors, especially along midocean ridges and back-arc ridges. Many of these contain more than 1 million tonnes of sulphide ores, often with high grades of copper, zinc and gold. Almost all have been discovered through detection of dispersion plumes in the ocean water around active fields. The larger the dispersion plumes, the more interesting the target is. This strategy has been highly successful for active, outcropping hydrothermal fields, but may leave interesting exploration targets undiscovered. Knowledge of MS deposits now exposed on land, but formed in seas that have disappeared millions of years ago, shows that many of them were formed near an ancient sea-floor, but protected from oxidation and dispersion by hanging wall rocks (generally sediments).

38

Comparison with ancient deposits on land shows that the submarine deposits are generally smaller than their ancient analogues,. We may be missing some of the more significant targets, formed under conditions of low or negligible dispersion of metals. We therefore need new exploration strategies, based on models similar to those in use on land: searching for large, dense objects, with peculiar magnetic and electric properties, in well defined geological settings, with or without signs of being hydrothermally active during exploration. If these sites are active, their activity may be subtle above the sea-floor, perhaps restricted to fluid indicators such as methane, without large nephelometric anomalies, as happens above the Saldanha hydrothermal site in the Azores Sea. Exploration tools will include towed, ROV- and AUV-hosted imaging and geophysics (gravity, magnetics) and highly sensitive sensors for volatile species such as methane and hydrogen. Another exploration tool, similar to geochemical exploration on land, will be the chemical and mineralogical study of prospective cover rocks, searching for signs of present or past hydrothermal activity under them, suitable to be represented as anomalies against regional background values. LA-ISR, our research institution, is well positioned to develop new tools and new deep-sea exploration strategies, given the institutional proximity of marine and robotics engineers and geologists with experience in mineral exploration on land. We are developing tools for this. A LabMobile in a 20 foot container, devoted to geochemistry and mineralogy, equipped with a variety of instruments (including X-ray diffraction, gas chromatography, elemental analysis, infra-red mineral analysis, microscopy, and wet chemistry) is expected to be launched for the first time in the Summer of 2009. Sea floor mining must be done properly, with all the necessary caution to preserve the fragile hydrothermal vent ecosystems and the marine environment in general. If so, marine minerals may one day contribute significantly to a better standard of living for the citizens at large.

Contact author: Fernando J.A.S. Barriga, LA-ISR Laboratorio Associado - Institute for Systems Research CreminerFCUL (Fac Ciencias, Univ Lisboa), Portugal [e-mail: f.barriga@fc.ul.pt]

B1

Mining of Seafloor Massive Sulfides and Biodiversity: Whats at Risk?

C.L. Van Dover, J. Carlsson, P.-Y. Hsing, R. Jones, A. Sobel, T. Schultz and A. Thaler

Organisms living at hydrothermal vents are adapted to catastrophic disturbances in their environment caused by processes such as tectonic activity and mineralization that shift the locus of fluid flux, to volcanic eruptions that pave over active systems and reset the hydrothermal cycle. The scientific community appreciates this risk of natural, local loss of species, genetic, and habitat diversity. The risks of more profound loss of diversity and ecosystem function and health as a consequence of additive commercial activities in hydrothermal systems are unknown, and are not the same across all deep-sea hydrothermal systems. Vent communities differ from one ocean basin to another, as do geological settings and geochemical dynamics of vent systems. Communities on the East Pacific Rise perhaps represent one end-member among the catalog of hydrothermal vents. In these systems, the life cycle of a hydrothermal field is on approximately the same time scale as that of childhood in humans. From studies of the 1991 and subsequent eruptions at 9N on the East Pacific Rise, we understand something of the rapidity with which new vents are colonized when nearby brood stocks are available to repopulate the system. Almost instantaneously, microbial biofilms and mats form, followed quickly by invasion of mobile opportunistic organisms. In a matter of a few months, a predictable succession of sessile organisms recruits, grows, and reproduces. Within two to three years, the system returns to levels of species diversity that match those of the pre-eruption condition. Vents on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) represent a different end-member, with catastrophic disturbance rare relative to the generation time of the organisms that make up the bulk of the biomass. We have no

39

experience with an eruptive event or other major transformation of venting activity on the MAR and thus have no knowledge or insight of the time it would take for the biological diversity to return to pre-cataclysmic levels. Among the persistent questions in vent biological research are those that deal with descriptions of how populations of species are structured and maintained. At what scales are populations genetically heterogeneous? Where are the sources of new recruits are recruits supplied from local or distant brood stocks? Are stock sources to a given site singular or multiple in space and time? Does genetic diversity vary systematically with dispersal capabilities of species? Can we predict which locales or species that are more vulnerable to disturbance than others? Are temporal and spatial patterns of succession primarily ordered by source dynamics (proximity of brood stocks and rate of delivery by currents), by succession of habitat conditions as hydrothermal cycles progress, or some other process? Other questions relate to barriers to gene flow and the degree to which relatively isolated vent systems (e.g., back-arc basin spreading centers) are host to cryptic, sibling, and relict species and thus serve as important engines driving speciation and genetic diversity. The species list of any vent site is dominated by rare species taxa found as singletons or as just a few individuals in the sum of material sampled at a site. These rare species seem most susceptible to local extinction. What is the role of these rare species in the ecosystem, what is the risk to the system if they are lost? It seems likely that under some conditions, rare species can become dominant to dismiss their importance in the system is to risk misjudging their role under other circumstances. In the years since discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents, biologists have focused their resources on study of chemosynthetic communities associated with active fluid flux. When fluid flux ceases, vent-endemic taxa disappear and other suites of organisms may colonize the sulfide deposits. What is at risk at these sites? While we expect that these replacement suites of organisms are broadly cosmopolitan, occurring on hard substrata remote from hydrothermal settings, the animals are so poorly known that few have been described. With the imperative for biodiversity assessment at inactive sulfide mounds, the mounds become type locales for new species. There is also the expectation that recruitment, growth, and reproductive rates of species that colonize inactive sulfide mounds are much slower than those of vent species, though there is some evidence that advected chemosynthetic production may enhance these rates relative to populations on hard substrata (basalts) remote from hydrothermal systems. The risks of deep-sea mining of hydrothermal systems on the genetic, species, and habitat diversity are poorly constrained, making it difficult to predict the environmental impact. The scientific community is only beginning to consider means to mitigate environmental impacts of marine mining on active and inactive ecosystems at hydrothermal vents in the deep sea.
Contact author: Cindy Lee Van Dover, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, 135 Duke Marine Lab Road Beaufort, North Carolina USA 28516 [tel: 252-504-7655, e-mail: clv3@duke.edu]

B2

Long term in situ experiments on the macrobenthic response to drilling fluid contamination and organic matter enrichment on the Angola margin
Lenaick Menot, Philippe Crassous, Jolle Galron and Myriam Sibuet

Colonization experiments in the deep Atlantic have shown that colonization rates of deep-sea benthic species are usually slow and that azoic sediments would take over five years for complete recovery. The development of human activities in the deep-sea thus needs a careful assessment of environmental risks. In the framework of the Biozaire programme, in a partnership between Ifremer and Total, colonization experiments were used to test and understand the effects of drill cuttings on the deep-sea macrofauna. Specifically, the experiments were designed to compare the effects of drilling fluids and organic matter enrichment. Colonization trays were moored for over one year and during two consecutive years at 1300m depth off Angola. The trays were filled with a mixture of artificial sediments and either drill cuttings, vegetable oil-based mud, mineral oil-based mud in various concentrations, or ground fish in various concentrations. Concentration in oil in the drilling fluid treatments ranged from 0 to 15000 ppm while concentration in

40

organic carbon in fish flour treatments ranged from 0 to 3.43%. Colonization rates were high compared to other experiments in the deep Atlantic. A total of 10,043 individuals belonging to 45 taxa were sorted from 72 colonization trays representing a pooled area of 2.26m. Treatment trays, whether containing drilling fluids or ground fish, significantly differed from control trays in terms of densities, taxonomic richness and taxonomic composition. Among treatments, colonization patterns were similar in trays with the highest content in oil or the lowest content in organic carbon. The effects of drilling fluids on the colonizing fauna could thus not be distinguished from a low organic enrichment.
Contact author: Lenaick Menot, Institut Ocanographique, Paris & Ifremer, DEEP/LEP Ifremer, Centre de Brest BP70 29280 Plouzane, France [tel: 33.2.98.22.45.52, fax: 33.2.98.22.47.57, e-mail: lenaick.menot@ifremer.fr]

B5

Fluid-Gas Expulsion, Seafloor Response Features, and Chemosynthetic Communities: Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Slope
Harry H. Roberts and Robert S. Carney

Since the first discoveries in the mid-1980s, the numbers of known hydrocarbon seeps, their chemosynthetic communities, and associated geological features have steadily increased. Manned submersible and ROV studies of seeps have confirmed the correlation between seep sites and anomalous seafloor reflectivity or bright spots on seismic data. For regulatory purposes seeps are considered to be sensitive habitats that require protection from disturbance. One method of assessing the probability of the existence of seeps is to exploit the seismic correlation. The slope-wide and proprietary 3D-seismic database held in the US by the Minerals Management Service has revealed 1000s of these reflectivity anomalies interpreted as seep sites. Using this database, 15 dive sites were selected on the middle-to-lower slope for study in 2006 and 2007 employing DSV Alvin and ROV Jason. All sites were found to have chemosynthetic communities and widespread carbonate hardgrounds, formed primarily as a by-product of microbial oxidation of hydrocarbons. The hardgrounds accounted for the strong surface reflectivity anomalies on seismic data. Four of the 15 dive sites were surveyed using an AUV which generated high resolution multibeam bathymetry and acoustic profile images of the bottom shallow subbottom. These 4 sites (AT 340, GC 852, WR 269, and AC 601) ranged in water depth from ~ 1410 m 2340 m and were geologically as well as biologically distinct. The AT 340 site was a regional salt-supported mound with carbonate mounds and brine seep depressions on the surface. Large communities of bathymodiolid mussels and vestimentiferan tubeworms were present. The high relief ridge in GC 852 was composed of large carbonate blocks along the ridge crest and western flank. Chemosynthetic communities of mussels and tubeworms are scattered between the carbonate blocks. At the crest an extensive community of hard and soft corals was found on a substrate of authigenic carbonate. The WR 269 site was a large mound complex formed by fluid-gas expulsion. Scattered pogonophoran communities were discovered on the mound flank and large mussels and tubeworms inside the carbonate-floored central vent. Gas hydrate was found outcropping in the crater walls. At the AC 601 site chemosynthetic communities were present, but sparsely distributed. A large brine pool (~ 180 m diameter) was the dominant feature. It was leaking gas at the times of high resolution acoustic data collection and direct observation with both Alvin and Jason. Barium sulfate (barite) in the form of crystal rafts in the brine and crusts on the lake bottom was being precipitated from the lake water. No megafauna were observed or sampled from the brine. These four sites were a sampling of the cross-slope and along-slope variability in seep biology and geology.
Contact author: Harry H. Roberts, Coastal Studies Institute, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA [tel: 225-578-2964, fax: 225-578-2520, e-mail: hrober3@lsu.edu]

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B6

Industry-conducted ROV surveys of chemosynthetic communities on two contrasting deep-sea floors for the purpose of habitat protection during hydrocarbon development
Robert S. Carney, Richard J. Weiland and Craig Scherschel

The continental slope of the northern Gulf of Mexico is subject to extensive development of hydrocarbon deposits over its entire depth range. The same complex geological and geochemical processes which gave rise to these deposits also created seafloor seeps with associated chemosynthetic ecosystems. These systems are afforded protection from disturbance by seafloor development activity by US government regulations. The primary mode of protection is limitation or prohibition of disturbing activities within specified distances of chemosynthetic communities. Two examples of industry-conducted surveys to determine the presence, location, composition, and geological correlates of chemosynthetic communities are presented. Both utilized an advanced remotely operated vehicle with augmented imaging capabilities and high-precision seafloor navigation. One area had many characteristics associated with seeps such as complex salt-influenced topography, extensive hardgrounds, and sea surface slicks. In contrast, the other area lacked such obvious clues yet still supported chemosynthetic communities. The spatial extent of both surveys exceeded that normally employed in basic research of such systems and met industry information needs for positioning seafloor activities.
Contact author: Robert S. Carney, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (USA) [tel: 225-578-6511, fax: 225-578-6326, e-mail: rcarne1@lsu.edu]

B7

An Environmental Impact Assessment of Seafloor Mineral Extraction

Samantha Smith

Nautilus has recently completed the worlds first environmental impact assessment (EIA) of seafloor mineral extraction and Nautilus has gained extensive experience conducting environmental studies in subsea environments. Nautilus is currently working on the Solwara 1 Project in the Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea, where high grade seafloor massive sulfide deposits lie at ~1600 m water depth. Conducting an EIA in the deep sea presents some interesting and exciting challenges. Seafloor studies commenced in December 2005 using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) fitted out with highly specialized scientific equipment to conduct water quality, sediment, biological and oceanographic studies. During 2007 and 2008, Nautilus launched two 30-day ROV programs dedicated to environmental baseline studies and during these campaigns, over 550 biological, sediment and water samples were collected and over 57,000 seafloor observations were logged. On board specialists included an international team of experts in the field of deep sea marine science. Collaboration between industry and scientific research institutions allows data to be collected for the EIA but also provides an extraordinary opportunity for researchers to access sites that might otherwise remain unobtainable to science. This presentation will review the studies conducted as part of this exciting project.
Contact author: Samantha Smith, Nautilus Minerals, Lvl 7 303 Coronation Drive Milton, QLD 4064 Australia [tel: +61 7 3318 5555, fax: +61 7 3318 5500, e-mail: sls@nautilusminerals.com]

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Keynote

Are Deep-Sea Ecosystems threatened by Human-Induced Changes in Seawater Chemistry?

Marion Gehlen

By the year 2005, the ocean had taken up 171 GtC of the total 426 GtC of human-induced CO2 emissions to the atmosphere since the onset of the industrial era. The uptake of CO2 by the ocean, a largely abiotic process driven by the solubility pump, drives major changes in seawater chemistry known as ocean acidification. The pH of surface oceans has already dropped by 0.1 units and is projected to decrease further by 0.3 to 0.4 units up to 2100. While there is a growing body of evidence for impacts of ocean acidification on surface water ecosystems, little is known on the timing and the amplitude of chemical changes in the deep-sea, not to mention the consequences on deep-sea biota. In contrast to shallow water benthic organisms which are adapted to a dynamic environment with large changes in temperature and water chemistry, deep-sea organisms have evolved in a rather stable environmental setting. We argue that deep sea biota is highly sensitive to even moderate excursions in pH and is most vulnerable to changes in carbonate chemistry. To evaluate the extent of detrimental reductions in deep water pH, we exploited simulations from a coupled climate-carbon cycle model under a business-as-usual emission scenario (IPPC SRES A2). We focused on the area of deep water formation in the North Atlantic, an area where the rapid penetration of anthropogenic C coincides with expected major impacts of climate change (e.g. slowing down of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, AMOC). Model projections suggest that 21st century climate change counteracts changes in deep water pH in response to anthropogenic CO2 invasion due to a slowing down of AMOC. However all simulations, with or without climate change, predict large reductions in pH in bottom waters of the North Atlantic exceeding the critical threshold of 0.2 pH units. These will expose deep sea organisms to changes in environmental conditions during the 21st century that are much larger than any variability that they have experienced during at least the last 650,000 years.
Contact author: Marion Gehlen, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de LEnvironnement (LSCE), UMR CEA-CNRSUVSQ CEN de Saclay / LOrme des Merisiers, Bt.712 F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex [tel: + 33 1 69 08 86 72, e-mail: marion.gehlen@lsce.ipsl.fr]

D2

Effects of carbon dioxide on deep-sea harpacticoids

Linda Sedlacek, David Thistle, Kevin R. Carman, John W. Fleeger and James P. Barry As part of the evaluation of the environmental impact of sequestering carbon dioxide in the deep ocean, we exposed the sediment-dwelling fauna at a station in Monterey Submarine Canyon (36.378 N, 122.676 W, 3262 m) to carbon dioxide-rich seawater and found that most of the harpacticoid copepods were killed. In an expanded, follow-on experiment on the continental rise nearby (36.709 N, 123.523 W, 3607 m), not only did harpacticoids survive exposure to carbon dioxide-rich seawater, but we found no evidence from seven additional metrics that the harpacticoids had been affected. We infer that during the second experiment the harpacticoids were not exposed to a stressful dose. During the second experiment, carbon dioxide-rich seawater appears to have been produced more slowly than in the first, probably because of differences in the near-bottom flow regimes. We conclude that local physical circumstances can substantially influence the results of experiments of this type and will complicate the evaluation of the environmental consequences of deep-ocean carbon dioxide sequestration.
Contact author: David Thistle, Florida State University, Department of Oceanography Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306 U.S.A. [tel: 850 644 4089, fax: 850 644 2581, e-mail: thistle@ocean.fsu.edu]

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D3

Amplified Ocean Acidification in the Deep-Sea and the Treath to Deep-Sea Ecosystems
James P. Barry and Eric F. Pane

Acidification of ocean waters due to the influx of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere penetrates slowly to the deep-sea by mixing and stirring over time scales of several centuries. Although the pH of surface waters has already fallen by ~0.1 units, pH in the upper ocean (500 m), particularly in oxygen minimum zones underlying highly productive regions of the world oceans, respiratory CO2 has titrated much of the available carbonate, thereby reducing the buffering capacity of those waters. There, the additional burden of inorganic carbon by the downward mixing of the anthropogenic carbon signal will cause a much larger shift in ocean pH and pCO2 than would be observed in the upper ocean. Considering an atmosphere with CO2 levels of 700 ppm, upper ocean pH may fall by 0.3 to 0.4 units and pCO2 will increase by 500 to 1000 ppm. In deep-sea waters, however, pH will drop by more than 0.5 units and pCO2 could increase to over 2000 ppm. Shoaling of the carbonate compensation depth (CCD) due to the fall in ocean pH will result in some buffering of large pH changes at depth through the dissolution of the carbonate rain from surface waters. And over longer time scales (several thousand years) acidification of ocean waters will be buffered partially by the dissolution of carbonate sediments. But accelerating atmospheric CO2 emissions and the possibility of large scale ocean carbon sequestration will lead inevitably to higher ocean carbon levels, with maximum shifts of ocean pH and pCO2 in deep-sea waters. Amplification of ocean acidification in deep-sea waters will very likely increase physiological stress for a wide variety of deep-sea animals. In addition to compromising the calcification rates of corals and other taxa with carbonate skeletal elements, higher CO2 levels will likely increase respiratory stress, acidosis, and metabolic depression. Differential tolerance to environmental hypercapnia may have led to many observed patterns of distribution for deep-sea organisms, and is almost certain to influence deep-sea biological patterns in the future.
Contact author: James P. Barry, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, MBARI 7700 Sandholdt Road Moss Landing, CA 95039 USA [tel: 831-775-1726, fax: 831-775-1620, e-mail: barry@mbari.org]

D5

Acidification from direct and indirect storage in the deep sea

Peter M. Haugan

Finally in 2009 the threats to marine life from ocean acidification have begun to be globally recognized as the second CO2 problem beside climate change. Ocean acidification due to CO2 emissions to the atmosphere was a decisive factor when the Oslo Paris Convention for the Protection of the North East Atlantic (OSPAR) recently decided in principle to open for consideration of projects which intend to store industrially produced CO2 into the subsoil of continental shelves. However, when storing in deep geological strata, the liquid CO2 is buoyant relative to the naturally occurring brine, fractures may be induced by the injection operation, and CO2 may leak to the ocean environment. In contrast, direct storage in deep sea depressions at depths larger than 3000m or in sediments at such large depths would be gravitationally stable. While direct storage in the deep ocean and its surface sediments is still prohibited, demands for such direct deep sea storage may arise in the future. How can ocean scientists and legislators deal with such issues? The largest ocean sequestration project remains the indirect one via the atmosphere. For the deep sea, indirect storage will be especially critical in the high latitude North Atlantic and in the Antarctic where deep mixing brings the anthropogenic signal rapidly towards the deep sea floor. The presentation will review relevant CO2 storage projects, options and issues. Contact author: Peter M. Haugan, Geophysical Institute, Univ. of Bergen, Allegaten 70, N-5007 Bergen, Norway [tel: +47 5558 2678, fax: +47 5558 9883, Peter.Haugan@gfi.uib.no]

44

Posters
B3 Poster

Going for Gold

Maria Baker, Stace Beaulieu, Christopher German, Maurice Tivey and Eva Ramirez-Llodra Deep-sea hydrothermal vent systems are attracting considerable interest from commercial mining companies. Vent systems precipitate seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits that are rich in copper, gold, silver, and zinc. Although commercial firms are targeting inactive SMS deposits, these deposits are so little studied that it is unknown whether they harbor unique species or ecosystems. The new frontier of deepsea exploration and mining raises a number of questions about the sustainable use of these resources and potential environmental impacts. A science and policy workshop sponsored by the Census of Marine Life \ChEss\ program, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and InterRidge, in addition to a public colloquium took place on April 1 - 2, 2009 at WHOI, and brought together vent scientists, specialists in marine conservation, mineral economics, international law, the International Seabed Authority, national interests in SMS, and representatives of industry and NGOs to inform each other, and the public, about this important topic. The issue of deep-sea mining of SMS is of global importance, connected to the global economy, society, and the conservation of unique marine life.
Contact author: Maria Baker, National Oceanography Centre, European Way Southampton SO14 3ZH UK [tel: 00 44 2380 596352, e-mail: mb11@noc.soton.ac.uk]

D1 - Poster

The Simulation Geological for water Shortage from Jifarah Plain Basin Northwest of Libya
Fathi Elosta

Libya is among the countries suffering surface water supply shortage Due to scarcity of rain and snow era, and the formation mature, the vast Libyan lands (1.700.000km) in which 95% arid lands, in this study our focus will mainly be on Jifara blain basin with such a complicated geological formation higher to the south and lower to the north with extreme slop towards the sea, this area was exposed to cleave movement resulted in two fractures, the first fractures heading north-east toward Tunisia borders as for as Jabal Abukirsh , 100 to 200 meters , the second fracture is heading west and called , the greater Azizia elevate , such movement led to fold and slop towards the sea forming three Rock units : 1-Mountain front sequence extending from homes to missiles to the west where it includes gargarish formation constituting sand lime sediments, such sediments formed water reservoirs of great subterranean water reserves. 2-Mountain front sequence extending east and west to Tunisian borders, this line of sequence includes Abu-gailan and Abu-shaiba being covered by sand and limestone soil sedimentary containing underneath lime sediments it is around 700 meters over sea level, this formation also contains deep and wide gulfs including Mjineen and Essirt valleys being the main feeder to most north west area. 3-Hadba surface sequences include the 4th era formations scattered in most edges and centre of the area with rock masses in which much low water exists. It is believed that such rock units moved back to its present place by reason of different erosion factors, the basin is believed to be covered by lime and sand rock that led to the birth of lime water accumulations reaching 2.4x1610cubic km. Also the occurrence of low level water reservoirs scattered

45

in the centre of the basin which was exposed to up and down and fracture movement contributed to the lowering of the north part of the basin most parts of this basin have been flooded by sea water during the Miocene and Oligocene resulted in the formation of rock Hollows consisting large quantities of water most of which are accumulated in the sea it is also believed that there is a large water basin branching from Jifara plain, it is also believed that the low level in the underground reservoirs is attributed to the low level of the north part of the basin where water flows from the south part towards the lower north part to flow into the sea water forming fresh water reservoirs inside the sea if we examine the way taken by water during the water cycle we find the movement indicates that it originates from sea to land , then land to sea again , once again it is believed that most countries will produce fresh water from sea in future as a result of water cycle of water returning to its original source. The 4th era sediments are considered to have contributed to the basin surface and underground features formation during Holocene containing water carrying sediments such as quaser El-haj formation consisting of lime and grain rocks where reservoirs of Al-Azizia Abushaibs and AbuGhailan are located where water is being pumped from Miocene layer as well as gargarish Formation which contains Ber El-Ghanam and kikla Reservoirs that are covered by lime sediments, water is being pumped towards south o f the basin, the south area of the Jifara plain. there are also saline sediments being spread south and west of the basin such salines were as result of dropping of Oligocene the matter which led to the salinity of the soil by effect of infiltration of salts contained in the rain water by this study we expect to find a trace of water flow from Jifara plain, towards sea, through a hollow in its north part, this matter resulted in creation of severe water shortage in the area. In this study, it is proposed that 3d three dimension surveys be carries out in the basin to find out the geological structure which led to this natural phenomena resulting in deformation to the installation of water distillation units for the purpose of refilling of such underground water reservoirs for the increase of its pressure and water reserve and increase of pressure.
Contact author: Fathi Elosta, Janzor Academy, General Education, Postgraduate Studies, Airport Road, Tripoli Libya P.O.BOX : 395 [tel: 00218924249530, fax: 00218213337169, e-mail: hmbstf@yahoo.co.uk]

D4 - Poster

An Oceanographic Atlas for the Azores region at AZODAn Oceanographic Atlas for the Azores region at AZODC (AZOres Oceanographic Data Centre)
S. Sequeira, A. Mendona, A. Martins, M. Figueiredo and G. Lopes

An Oceanographic Atlas for the NE Atlantic (30-47N and 40- 8W) is under development at the University of the Azores. Main objectives are to provide information on ocean dynamics in the Azores region by routinely gathering and updating hydrological (T, S and dissolved oxygen), chemical (nutrients and pH) and biological (chlorophyll a) data obtained from regional to international cruises. Ten years of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (as a function of pressure for the study area) are used. A statistic validation is initially performed. Linear interpolation methods are then used in the vertical profiles. Objective analyses are finally made to create seasonal tridimensional fields for each parameter. These improve the study of seasonal variability as a function of depth (up to 5000 m). Based on these fields, geostrophic currents are calculated using as reference level, 2000 m depth. Data results are accessible at the recently created database website: AZOres Oceanographic Data Centre (AZODC) (http://oceano.horta.uac.pt/azodc/). AZODC further provides real-time tide gauge data for several islands of the Azores and near-real time satellite data acquired from ocean colour and thermal infra-red sensors.
Contact author: Sandra Sequeira, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas (DOP) Universidade dos Aores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351 292 200 445, fax:+351 292200411, e-mail: sandrasequeira@uac.pt]

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D7 - Poster

EuroSITES European Ocean Observatory Network: a tool to understand the global Ocean response to climate change
R.S. Lampitt, K.E. Larkin, M. Gehlen and the EuroSITES Consortium

There is an ever-growing demand for high quality, real-time marine datasets of climatically relevant parameters. Deep ocean in situ observatories are one key infrastructure within a global ocean observing network to achieve this goal. The high resolution multidisciplinary datasets produced offer vital insights into the inter-annual variability of oceanic processes and capture episodic events otherwise missed by other sampling strategies. EuroSITES is a European FP7 Collaborative Project (2008-2011) which will integrate and enhance 9 existing deep (>1000 m) ocean observatories across Europe. The aims, objectives and initial results will be presented along with details of specific science missions and sensor developments including the measurement of deep ocean oxygen consumption, pH and tsunami detection. Contribution to GEOSS and links with other relevant projects and initiatives including ESONET, EMSO PP, EPOCA, ACOBAR, HERMES, HERMIONE, CoralFISH, OOI and NEPTUNE will also be presented.
Contact author: Marion Gehlen, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de LEnvironnement (LSCE), UMR CEA-CNRSUVSQ CEN de Saclay, LOrme des Merisiers, Bt.712 F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex [tel: + 33 1 69 08 86 72, e-mail: marion.gehlen@lsce.ipsl.fr]

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Session C and F
Deep Sea Technology and Biotechnology Research and Development

Keynote

Autonomous Discovery, Mapping, and Sampling of Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents

Dana Yoerger

This talk will begin by presenting a future concept for hydrothermal vent discovery, exploration, and sampling. In the near future, we may be able to go to an unexplored ridge segment, launch one or more autonomous underwater vehicles, and locate, survey, and sample biota from all the vents on that segment. How much of this problem is presently solved, and how much remains? Recently, we have succeeded in locating undiscovered hydrothermal vent sites using our autonomous underwater vehicle ABE. These discoveries include vent sites in the Lau Basin (20S, 176W) and the first vents found on the Southern Mid Atlantic Ridge (5S, 12W) and Southwest Indian Ridge (38S, 50E). During this process, ABE makes maps of the water column, creates detailed bathymetric maps, and takes bottom photos of the vent sites. While the vehicle runs autonomously, we execute at least three dives with substantial data interpretation and planning by the science party between each dive. In this presentation, these results will be reviewed, the underlying engineering presented, and the role of human decisionmakers explained. Based on these experiences, we believe these results can be extended to enable fully autonomous vent discovery, mapping, and even sampling. The capabilities of autonomous underwater vehicles are improving in many aspects, including range, navigational capability, and insitu sensing. In this talk, our initial attempts to improve efficiency through autonomous decision making will be reviewed, and candidate paradigms that can enable fully autonomous search will be presented. Plans for autonomous sampling will also be discussed.
Contact author: Dana Yoerger, Deep Submergence Laboratory, Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA 02543 [e-mail: dyoerger@whoi.edu]

Keynote

Deep Sea Observatory Networks: a new science

Roland Person and ESONET partners Introduction For a long time, deep sea investigation relied on sampling during exploration cruises and deployment of autonomous moorings and bottom landers for short periods. A growing set of earth science questions are requiring a broad and integrated network of ocean and seafloor observations. Understanding the ocean, and the complex physical, biological, chemical, and geological systems operating within it, should be an important goal for the opening decades of the 21st century. A fully comprehensive definition of the term seafloor observatories was given for the first time by the National Research Council report Illuminating the Hidden Planet. The future of Seafloor Observatory Science, where we could read: an unmanned system, at a fixed site, of instruments, sensors, and command modules connected to land either acoustically or via a seafloor junction box to a surface buoy or a fibre-optic cable. Earth and ocean processes operate on scales from a fraction of a second to de cades or more. The need to resolve patterns and processes across many time and space scales has pushed the development of several global and ocean observing programs worldwide that integrate a variety of tools. In particular there is now wide recognition that research addressing science questions of international priority, such as understanding potential impacts of climate change or geohazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis, should be done in a framework that can adequately address questions across scales. Several key questions emerged that will require comprehensive interdisciplinary approaches. In order to address many of these questions, Deep Sea Observatory users will require other supporting data from other programs from local to international levels. Examples of these other data sources include satellite oceanographic data, climatic data, airsea interface data, and the known distribution and abundances of marine fauna. Thus the connection of

51

Deep Sea Observatory projects to other programs is integral to their success. The development of Deep Sea Observatories (NEPTUNE, ESONET NoE, EMSO, DONET, MARS, EUROSITES, OCEANSITE) provides a substantial opportunity for ocean science to evolve in the world providing long term to permanent time series with high frequency sampling. Furthermore, these programs are integrating into larger science frameworks including the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and Kopernikus. It is only in a greater integrated framework that the full potential of the component systems will be realized. Many aspects are under discussion: 1. Sciences objectives: There is a diverse set of research questions and observational needs which are of great importance across the world, such as those related to climate change, natural resources, and increased understanding and monitoring of environmental hazards. The science objective guides the regional observatory design. In this sub session new know and methods regarding high level and emerging scientific questions are welcome. Geosciences Priorities in geosciences include the fields of seismology, slope stability, tsunami warning, fluid vent and seep dynamics, gas hydrate stability, plate tectonics, sedimentary and hydrothermal processes, as well as the study of nonliving resources such as hydrocarbon and mineral industry activity and the creation of deep-ocean reservoirs of liquid carbon dioxide. Physical oceanography The critical areas of physical oceanography center on not only increasing understanding of natural variability in fluid flow, water mass character, thermodynamics, ice cover, and climatology, but also with how anthropogenically-driven climate change will interact with natural variability to alter ocean conditions. Biogeochemistry The major biogeochemical concerns focus on the global carbon cycle and elemental cycling within the ocean, which occurs through both physical and biological processes. Marine Ecology Marine ecology themes focus on understanding ocean productivity, biodiversity, the distribution and abundance of sea life, how and why variation occurs, ecosystem function, living resources, ecological hot spots, and climate forcing on, and feedback from, biogeochemical and ecological dynamics. 2. Observatory Design The design of a Deep Sea Observatory has two fundamental aspects with one addressing its core services which includes supplying data on putative generic parameters such as temperature, conductivity (salinity), depth (pressure), and another that incorporates the rather specific data services such as seismic, velocity profiles, biogeochemical fluxes, and faunal abundances, depending of the geographical location of the nodes. The science questions and objectives that drive observatory projects dictate several functionality requirements of the overall observing system including, ability to collect data without in situ shipboard support, during times when shipboard support is not possible because of weather, and over timescales from fractions of a second to decades. This sub session will address sensors packages and technical issues taking care of the standardization needs and of the complementarity between cabled observatories and stand alone ones.. Standardization and Data management Standardization and interoperability would improve system functionality, reliability, and comparison of result and contribute to decrease implementation and maintenance costs. Components of a deep sea observatory system have to be registered in GEOSS. Financial and legal aspects A Deep Sea observatory is a permanent infrastructure. Legislative regulations at international, trans-national and regional level apply. There is a need to consolidate funding on national, European, and international level and when possible to obtain commitments for industrial funding. A business plan is to establish for the implementation of each site. A common international approach would reduce costs Demonstration Mission Demonstration on the interest of observatory are running. Demonstration missions are funded by ESONET to demonstrate the multidisciplinary aspect and test sub systems and data management. European modules are deployed on VENUS Canada for test before deployment on NEPTUNE in summer 2009. This kind of demonstration has to be developed.
Contact author: Roland Person, Ifremer - Centre de Brest DEEP-LEP BP70 29280 Plouzan FRANCE [tel: 33298224096, fax: 33298224650, e-mail: roland.person@ifremer.fr]

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C1

Toward to understanding mega thrust earthquakes occurrence system and Disaster mitigation around the Nankai trough Southwestern Japan-DONET (Dense Ocean Network for Earthquakes and Tsunamis) and Next DONET
Yoshiyuki Kaneda and DONET group

The Nankai trough is well known as mega thrust earthquake seismogenic zone in the world. In this seismogenic zone, there are three mega thrust earthquake rupture zones such as Tokai, Tonankai and Nankai earthquake rupture zones. DONET is the ocean floor network for real time monitoring system of mega thrust earthquake around the Nankai trough southwestern Japan. Especially, DONET is focusing on the Tonankai earthquake rupture zone located in a middle of the Nankai trough. This system will be equipped with multi kinds of seismometers and precise pressure gauges. Characteristics of DONET are replaceable and extendable using blanching cables and nodes with a middle voltage system. Furthermore, using multi kinds of seismometers and precise pressure gauges, we can observe broad band phenomena such as slow slips, strong motions and tsunamis. In the next step, we have to deploy the next DONET around westward the Nankai trough for wide and dense real time monitoring. In the next DONET, we have to develop the high voltage system to extend wide and dense ocean floor network. Using high voltage system, we can deploy ocean floor networks with a low cost, consequently. And we can connect other sensors to the next DONET such as electromagnet meters and tilt meters etc. to monitor more detail crustal activities. We will explain DONET under construction and the nextDONET in the initial planning stage.
Contact author: Yoshiyuki Kaneda, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 237-0061 Japan [tel: +81-3-5157-3992, fax:+81-3-5157-3903, e-mail: kaneday@jamstec.go.jp]

C2

Biodiversity and functioning of the deep sea: How do deep-sea holothurians live at 3400m in the Nazar Canyon?
Teresa Amaro, Roberto Danovaro, Marina R. Cunha and David Billett

Molpadiid holothurians (Molpadia musculus) are extremely abundant at ~3400 m in the Nazar Canyon. It is commonly known that deep-sea deposit feeding holothurians dominate large parts of the abyssal realm, both in terms of biomass and abundance. However, these high abundances are unusual for deep-sea burrowing species at this depth, as they occur in lower abundances in non-canyon systems. Food supply is an important factor controlling their abundance and the composition of the holothurian assemblages. Holothurians species have developed different strategies to exploit various food sources. The objective of this research was to understand the reason for such high abundances. For that, two main hypotheses were investigated: a) the bioavailability of potential food sources and b) the existence of trophic interactions with prokaryotes to enhance its ability to digest sediment. To address these questions, sediment samples, holothurian gut contents and faecal material were collected and its composition analysed for microbial diversity and density, and checked for the bioavailability of food sources. Furthermore, an experimental circular chamber was placed on the seabed which allowed the Molpadia to be maintained in situ independently of the surrounding sediment, thus allowing faeces to be collected uncontaminated by sedimentary bacteria. The result demonstrated that the deep-sea holothurian M. musculus appears to be using proteins as the main compound being degraded through the gut. Lipids are also used but to a lesser extent and carbohydrates are not broken down or utilized at the time of sampling. Prokaryotes help

53

the holothurians to degrade the sediment in the first part of the gut and are further consumed as a high nutritional-quality food source. Moreover, molecular fingerprinting analyses (ARISA and T-RFLP) provide evidence for the presence of a distinct bacterial community in the sediment of the Nazar Canyon and within the guts of M. musculus.
Contact author: Teresa Paula Fernandes Amaro, Aveiro University, Departamento de Biologia & CESAM Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal [tel: +351 938 369 179, e-mail: amaro@noc.soton.ac.uk]

C3

Studies on Deep Sea Benthic Fishes using Baited Camera Landers New Insights 500-10,000m depth
Imants (Monty) G. Priede

Autonomous landers have emerged as a potent method for study of active deep sea fishes which are otherwise too dispersed to sample and at depths too deep to be routinely sampled by trawls and other fishing gears. An experimental protocol has been evolved in which a bait (ca. 0.5kg) suspended within the field of view of downward-looking camera is deployed on the sea floor and observations are made of times of arrival of fishes which can then be identified, measured and counted. Making assumptions about the rate of dispersal of food odour on bottom currents and approach speeds of attracted fishes it is possible to calculate the local population density of the dominant species of fishes. Using length-weight relationships estimates of biomass are possible. Priede et al. (1991) also developed acoustic transmitters that are ingested by fishes which can then be following during their movements across the sea floor. Results for species, times of arrivals and population densities from 500m to 10000 depth are presented. There is a global trend of increase in arrival time and decrease in population density with depth range. Jamieson A.J., Fujii T., Solan M., Matsumoto A.K., Bagley P.M. & Priede I.G., (2009) Liparid and macrourid fishes of the hadal zone: in situ observations of activity and feeding behaviour. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B. 276, 10371045 DOI 10.1098/rspb.2008.1670 Priede I.G., Bagley P., Armstrong J.D., Smith K.L., & Merrett N.R. (1991) Direct Measurement of Active dispersal of Food-falls by abyssal demersal fishes. Nature 351:647-649
Contact author: Imants (Monty) G. Priede, University of Aberdeen, Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, AB41 6A UK [tel: +441224 274408, e-mail: i.g.priede@abdn.ac.uk]

C5

Bioprospecting in the High Seas: Problems and Promises

Sophie Arnaud-Haond, Jesus M. Arrieta, Carlos M. Duarte and Elie Jarmache The marine realm represents 70% of the biosphere and encloses 34 of the 36 living phylum described so far. Yet, marine biodiversity is still subject to research and protection efforts ten times lower than those developed in the terrestrial environment, and genetic resources, except fisheries, are only marginally exploited compared to terrestrial ones. During the recent years however advances in technologies for oceanographic exploration (ROV, submersible, sonars) opened access to deep and hitherto unexplored areas in high seas, while the exponential progresses in molecular biology allowed getting beyond some

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limits previously hampering the exploitation of marine resources. Those progresses have dramatically increased our ability to exploit of marine resources, at a much faster rate than societal thoughts about environmental and ethical issues. Within less than a decade, an amazing number of molecules and genes with promising applications for pharmacology, food and molecular biology industries have been unraveled, suggesting remarkable promises for the exploitation of marine resources. Yet, these resources are still mainly accessible to countries or consortiums in a position to use costly oceanographic and biotechnological tools, and largely subject to unregulated exploitation in a context of degradation of the high seas. This shiny panorama is therefore somehow shadowed by the lack of international consensus about the unresolved issues on patenting of life on the one hand, and the difficulty to establish with certainty the legal framework (High Sea regime or Area regime) to deal with the protection and exploitation of genetic resources beyond national jurisdictions, on the other hand. We will present an overview of the promises offered by marine biotechnologies and the exploration of high seas, and of the legal obstacles still laying on the way of a sustainable and worldwide exploitation of those resources.
Contact author: Sophie Arnaud-Haond, Ifremer - Centre de Brest DEEP-LEP BP70 29280 Plouzan, France [tel: +3398224305, e-mail: sarnaud@ifremer.fr]

C6

A glimpse into the deep, 45 days in the life of a vent mussel assemblage

J. Sarrazin, J. Blandin, L. Delauney, S. Dentrecolas, J. Dupont, C. Le Gall, J. Legrand, P. Lon, J.P. Lvque, L. Peton, P. Rodier, R. Vuillemin and P.M. Sarradin The unique fauna colonizing hydrothermal vents is sustained by chemosynthetic microorganisms that use the chemicals in the hot fluids as a source of energy. It has been hypothesized that changes in the flux, composition and temperature of emitted hydrothermal fluids may impact the structure of hydrothermal communities. It is therefore necessary to gather more information about the temporal dynamics of this ecosystem, which is still unknown due to the lack of long-term observation means. Thus, we have developed and tested TEMPO: a long-term ecological module that couples up video imagery and environmental monitoring to identify the role of abiotic variations on the structure of hydrothermal faunal assemblages. This autonomous module contains a first structure that hosts the energy container, the COSTOF (SEAMON master electronics) and a junction box. The second includes the camera and lights protected against bio-fouling, temperature probes, and an in situ CHEMINI Fe analyzer. TEMPO was deployed during the Momareto cruise in 2006, at the base of the Tour Eiffel edifice located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The ROV VICTOR6000 deployed the module close to a Bathymodiolus azoricus mussel assemblage and recovered it two years later (2008). Despite some difficulties, 45 days of imagery, 6 months of iron concentrations and 18 months of temperature were acquired in the mussel assemblage. Preliminary results on faunal and environmental dynamics will be presented. We anticipate that time-series studies in these remote ecosystems will give fundamental insights about the reaction of the benthos to different environmental events, community succession as well as the role of biological interactions on community dynamics. In the future, long-term experiments on the deep-sea floor should constitute the basis for the management and protection of these remote biodiversity hot spots.
Contact author: Pierre-Marie Sarradin, Ifremer - Centre de Brest DEEP-LEP BP70 29280 Plouzan, France [tel: 33 2 98 22 46 72, e-mail: Pierre.Marie.Sarradin@ifremer.fr]

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C7

Real-time monitoring of megafauna from the Monterey Accelerated Research System

Erika H. Raymond, Danelle Cline, Craig Dawe, Duane Edgington, Steve Etchemendy, Gene Massion, Brian Schlining and Edith Widder Traditionally, long-term observations in the deep sea have been limited by power and data storage. The recently deployed Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS) deep-sea observatory remove these limits by providing nearly unlimited power and data transfer from shore to 900-m deep through its 52-kilometer-long cable. In January 2008, a minimally-intrusive camera observatory, Ocean Research & Conservation Associations Eye-in-the-Sea (EITS), was deployed at the MARS site for an expected duration of six months. During this time, EITS will be used to record video of normally evasive species in close proximity, naturally-occurring in-situ bioluminescence, and behavioral responses of deep-sea fauna to an artificial bioluminescence source. Using an electronic jelly (E-jelly) as an optical lure, EITS will run a series of luminescent displays while recording species presence/absence and behavior under different conditions. Bait drops will also be conducted to assess local diver sity, response time to bait drops and succession of scavengers. In addition to video, physical variables (sound, temperature, salinity and current speed and direction) will be recorded during the deployment. All video will be analyzed and processed with Automated Visual Event Detection (AVED) software and ancillary data, video events, and annotations will be cataloged with Video Annotation and Reference System (VARS). Details of EITSs development, deployment and preliminary data will be discussed in addition to current and future operations on MARS.
Contact author: Erika H. Raymond, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, 7700 Sandholdt Td. Moss Landing, CA 95039 USA [tel: 831-775-2064, e-mail: erika@mbari.org]

C8

MoMAR-D: A technological challenge to monitor the dynamics of the Lucky Strike vent ecosystem
Ana Colao, M. Cannat, J. Blandin, P.M. Sarradin and the MoMAR-D partners

Hydrothermal circulation at mid-ocean ridges is a fundamental process that impacts the transfer of energy and matter from the interior of the Earth to the crust, hydrosphere and biosphere. The unique faunal communities that develop near these vents are sustained by chemosynthetic microorganisms that use the hot fluids chemicals as a source of energy. Environmental instability resulting from active mid-ocean ridge processes can create changes in the flux, composition and temperature of emitted hydrothermal fluids and influencing the hydrothermal communities. The MoMAR (Monitoring the Mid-Atlantic Ridge) project initiated 10 years ago by the InterRidge Program to promote and coordinate long-term multidisciplinary monitoring of hydrothermal vents at MAR. It aims at studying vent environmental dynamics from geophysics to microbiology. More recently, the MoMAR area has been chosen as one of the 11 key sites of the ESONET NoE. The MoMAR-D project was selected by ESONET as a demonstration mission to deploy and manage a multidisciplinary observing system at Lucky Strike during one year. This large hydrothermal field is located in the center of one of the most volcanically active segment of the MAR. This monitoring offers a high probability of capturing evidence for volcanic events, observing interactions between faulting, magmatism; hydrothermal circulations and, evaluating their impacts on the ecosystem. Two Sea Monitoring Nodes (SEAMON, Blandin et al. 2006) will be acoustically linked to a surface buoy, ensuring satellite communication to a land base station. The first node will be dedicated to large scale geophysical studies.

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The second, to edifice scale studies such as ecology and chemical fluxes. The infrastructure should be deployed in 2010 during the MoMARSAT cruise.
Contact author: Ana Colao, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas (DOP) Universidade dos Aores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351292200436, e-mail: acolaco@uac.pt]

C10

Laboratory pressurizing systems for the study of aquatic organisms under deep ocean conditions
Alfredo Damasceno-Oliveira, Jos Gonalves, Joo F. Silva, Hugo Santos and Joo Coimbra

The study of deep ocean biology requires either the use of field methodologies or laboratory high pressure equipment. Field methodologies involve the study of fauna at their native depths, allowing the observation of the behaviour and the analysis of some physiological parameters. However, costs and the logistics involved are considerable, mainly because it requires research platforms like manned/remotely operated undersea vehicles or autonomous free vehicles. And although field techniques could yield significant results they are limited when compared with laboratory methodologies used in physiological studies of live animals, namely high-pressure systems. These equipments allow performing experiments under elevated hydrostatic pressure and ideally would simulate the overall native environmental conditions of fish and other aquatic organisms. Here we present a review on this methodology and on the steadily improvements that have been made in the last 40 years to overcome most of the technical problems involved in the use of high pressures for long periods under laboratory conditions. We will highlight the solutions used in systems for studying aquatic megafauna and particularly the work that is being done at the Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIMAR Associate Laboratory). This approach has already given interesting results on the adaptation and acclimation of fish and other aquatic organisms to high pressures and great depths, but this field of barobiology is only in its advent and it will surely benefit from new technologies and also from the increasing interest in using aquatic organisms as models in biological and life sciences.
Contact author: A. Damasceno-Oliveira, CIIMAR / CIMAR Associate Laboratory Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigao Marinha e Ambiental, University of Porto, Laboratory of Ecophysiology, Rua dos Bragas, 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal [tel: +351 223401800, fax: +351 223390608, e-mail: aol@ciimar.up.pt]

Keynote

Marine genetic resources: An emerging economic use of the oceans?

Salvatore Arico

Marine genetic resources hold a strong potential for novel discoveries and related applications. This area sees already a number of actors and stakeholders involved in different types of operations spanning from marine scientific research to the study of environmental impacts of human activities in the deep sea, as well as those assessing the legal and policy implications of these activities. The debate is hot both from a scientific as well as a policy perspective. Is deep sea research a prerogative of a lucky few or should technology transfer facilitate access to those areas by developing countries? How can one exert intellectual property rights over resources that are deemed to lead to applications for the benefit of humankind as a

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whole? What are the terms regulating not only access but also benefit-sharing in relation to these resources? While these and other related issues are debated internationally, the hypothesis that the conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of these resources may lead to economic developments for the benefit of the international community as a whole, especially developing countries, starts seeing the light. With the current crises in the state of living resources in the oceans, such a development should be encouraged but also informed through appropriate scientific information and an open and transparent dialogue between the stakeholders involved.
Contact author: Salvatore Arico, Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences, UNESCO 1, rue Miollis 75732 Paris cedex 15, France [tel. + 33 1 4568 4090, fax + 33 1 4568 5804, e-mail: s.arico@unesco.org]

F2

Out of the Deep-sea into a land-based aquarium environment: Investigating physiological adaptations in the hydrothermal vent mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus

Raul Bettencourt, Sergio Stefanni, Mrio Laranjo, Valentina Costa, Domitlia Rosa, Lus Pires, Ana Colao, Humberto Lopes and Ricardo Serro Santos Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are considered as some of the most extreme environments in the world, yet the animals dwelling around the vent sites exhibit high productivity and therefore must deal with unusual levels of heavy metals, pH, temperature, CO2 and sulfide, in addition to environmental microbes. In an attempt to understand the physiological reactions of animals normally set to endure extreme conditions we investigated adaptation processes during which the mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus was maintained under long periods of time under laboratory conditions. Even in the absence of the characteristic high hydrostatic pressure found at deep sea vent sites and without methane and/or sulfide supplementation, vent mussels seem to endure well aquarium conditions. Thus, the maintenance of live vent mussels in our laboratory is a key factor in gaining insights into the physiology of vent mussels including the study of evolutionary conserved immune factors commonly found in other marine bivalves. The present work is therefore centered on cellular and humoral defense mechanisms in animals which have acclimatized to sea level conditions. In addition, we have also conducted experiments under hydrostatic pressure, using the hyperbaric chamber IPOCAMP, to establish an in vitro experimental system to study the expression of genes that typically respond to heavy metal contaminants and oxidative stress. These studies have also the potential to assess the physiological responses of animals sustaining immunological and metal stress and provide new evidence on the effect of natural microbial communities and metal toxicity in the vent natural environment. We aim at finding distinct genetic signatures in the expression of genes such as the metal binding protein Metallothionein and the antibacterial protein Mytilin in the vent mussel B. azoricus. The expression in vent organisms of genes involved in immune responses and in heavy metal expo sure might reveal unique molecular relationships under which regulation of gene transcription is affected by extreme environmental factors. Consequently, their transcripts (mRNA) level may be regarded as biomarkers for early biological effects or defense mechanisms against potentially toxic levels of metals or pathogens in marine organisms. Mussels viability was determined during our experiments carried out in the IPOCAM chamber while the Metallothionein gene (Met) induction was observed at 80 and 170 bars. This suggests that even after prolonged aquarium maintenance at atmospheric pressure, mussels are still able to induce the Met gene. In addition, histological analyses performed on tissues from pressurized mussels indicated an accumulation of carbohydrates in the mantle. Taken together, our results suggest that Bathymodiolus azoricus may be used in experimental studies as an indicator species, particularly useful for assessing toxicity or metal stress and the effect of hydrostatic pressure, even though MT expression is not only induced by metals, but also by hormones, cytokines, and other endogenous and exogenous agents. Indeed MT gene expression could be linked to a broader physiological response to biochemical unbalances, natural

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factors or shift into the animals homeostasis, assuming therefore a new importance in ecotoxicological investigations in extreme environments.
Contact author: Raul Bettencourt, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas (DOP) Universidade dos Aores, 9901862 Horta, Portugal [tel: + 351 292 200 400, fax: +351 292200411, e-mail: raul@uac.pt]

Posters
C11 - Poster

Community dynamics between 1994 and 2008 on an Atlantic hydrothermal edifice as revealed by high-resolution video image analysis
Daphne Cuvelier, Joze Sarrazin, Ana Colao, Jon Copley, Daniel Desbruyres, Adrian Glover, Paul Tyler and Ricardo Serro Santos

In the Azores Triple Junction area, several hydrothermal vent fields can be found within the Portuguese EEZ. One of them is the Lucky Strike vent field, situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR), south of the Azores, at a mean depth of 1700m. Eiffel Tower is a well-defined and active hydrothermal edifice at Lucky Strike. Since its discovery in 1992, considerable imagery data have been gathered during scientific cruises, spanning 14 years of vent development. The edifice is dominated by extensive mussel-beds of Bathymodiolus azoricus. In association with these mussel-beds live alvinocaridid shrimps, bythograeid crabs and other less conspicuous species. Although the fauna inhabiting the hydrothermal vent structures in the Atlantic is reasonably well known, the spatial and temporal distribution of faunal assemblages in relation to abiotic and biotic factors remains unclear. Using a new faunal mapping technique and high-resolution imagery, insights into small-scale heterogeneity and zonation processes on a MAR vent edifice are provided. Four faunal assemblages and two types of substratum were distinguished based on high-definition photographs and video imagery, and mapped on topographic templates. Several interesting patterns are revealed: e.g. the degree of colonisation remains almost equal (ca. 50%) over the years. The relative proportion of the assemblages however does change. Contrarily to the rapid dynamics on edifices from the Pacific, the rate of change in the communities observed here is clearly inferior. A possible succession model is proposed. Temporal evolution studies are essential to understand vent functioning and development and are prerequisites for management purposes.
Contact author: Daphne Cuvelier, IMAR/Department of Oceanography and Fisheries. University of the Azores, Cais de Santa Cruz, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: + 351 292 200 400, fax: +351 292200411, e-mail: daphne@uac.pt]

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F1 - Poster

Preliminary data on the relationship between W/L and venom glandular tissue of 3 Scorpaenidae species of Azores, NE Atlantic, Portugal
Rui Pedro Vieira

There is a wide diversity of venoms in marine fishes. As known, animal venoms have been recognized as pharmacological and physiological sources. In this work we explain the preliminary results of the relationship between weight-length and venom glandular tissue extracted from 3 scorpionfishes species collected in Azores archipelago (NE Atlantic). Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus, Scorpaena scrofa and Pontinus kuhlii belong to the Scorpaenidae family and are the most venomous fishes in the Atlantic Ocean. The venom apparatus of scorpionfishes consists of 12 dorsal spines with venom glands in the anterior portion of these spines. There is already a lot of information about venoms from lionfishes and stonefishes. However there are but a few studies about venom of scorpionfishes and they focus on species from SW Atlantic. Accidents occur with humans, mainly fishermen, divers and swimmers. Symptoms include intense pain, fever, tachycardia, hypotension, edema and necrosis. There are no records of deaths caused by these species. Due to the lack of efficient therapeutic strategies it may take a lot of time for a complete recovery of victims. This work is then significant enough to allow a future progress of clinical treatment.
Contact author: Rui Pedro Vieira, Departamento de Cincias Agrrias, Universidade dos Aores, 9701-851 Angra do Herosmo, Portugal [tel: (+351) 918119624, e-mail: rpvieira@uac.pt]

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Session E
Fisheries and Ecosystem Sustainability and Conservation

Keynote

Ecosystem based management of corals, fish and fisheries in the deep waters of Europe and beyond (CoralFISH)
Anthony Grehan, CoralFISH Consortium

In 2006, UN General Assembly Resolution (61/105) called upon fisheries management organisations worldwide to: i) assess the impact of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems, ii) identify/map vulnerable ecosystems through improved scientific research/data collection, and iii) close such areas to bottom fishing unless conservation and management measures were established to prevent their degradation. In European deep waters, in addition, there is now a need to establish monitoring tools to evaluate the effectiveness of closed areas for the conservation of biodiversity and fish and their impact on fisheries. Currently the tools necessary to achieve these management goals are lacking. CoralFISH is a four year, EU FP7 Integrating Project that aims to support the implementation of an ecosystem-based management approach in the deep-sea by studying the interaction between cold-water coral habitat, fish and fisheries. CoralFISH will: i) develop essential methodologies and indicators for baseline and subsequent monitoring of closed areas, ii) integrate fish into coral ecosystem models to better understand coral fishcarrying capacity, iii) evaluate the distribution of deepwater bottom fishing effort to identify areas of potential interaction and impact upon coral habitat, iv) use genetic fingerprinting to assess the potential erosion of genetic fitness of corals due to long-term exposure to fishing impacts, v) construct bio-economic models to assess management effects on corals and fisheries to provide policy options, and vi) produce habitat suitability maps both regionally and in the High Seas to identify areas likely to contain vulnerable habitat to address the issues raised by the UNGA resolution. An overview of the project will be presented.
Contact author: Earth and Ocean Sciences Department, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland [tel: 35391493235, e-mail: anthony.grehan@nuigalway.ie]

Keynote

Mission impossible?? Balancing exploitation and conservation of Deep-sea seamount fisheries

Malcolm Clark

Seamounts support a large number and wide diversity of fish species. A number of these species form aggregations for spawning or feeding, and are the target of large-scale trawl fisheries. Since the 1970s, seamounts throughout the worlds oceans have been explored for commercial resources, and the total cumulative catch from seamount trawl fisheries likely exceeds 2.25 million t. Some of the largest of these fisheries have occurred in the Pacific, for species such as pelagic armourhead, alfonsino, orange roughy and oreos. However, these species have proven vulnerable to overexploitation, and most stocks on seamounts have shown strong and rapid declines. A number of fisheries off New Zealand, Australia and Chile are now closed to allow stocks to recover. In the Southwest Pacific some hard lessons have been learnt about managing both the fish stocks and their habitat. Trawling can cause rapid and dramatic depletion of fish populations. Many of the seamount fish species have low productivity meaning their recovery is slow, and overall there are limited prospects for large-scale commercial exploitation of fish and invertebrate resources on seamounts. Nevertheless low volume but high value fisheries can play a role in the future of deep-sea fisheries. However, bottom trawling can severely damage the benthic habitat, and communities associated with deep-sea corals on seamounts are particularly susceptible. Fisheries management therefore needs to balance conservative fisheries protection measures with conserving benthic habitat.

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These can be competing objectives. A mixture of seamounts open to fishing (where habitat changes have already occurred) and protected from fishing (where little fishing has occurred) is potentially a successful one in which exploitation and conservation can co-exist. Recent work carried out by the Census of Marine Life programme on seamounts (CenSeam) is taking some of the local lessons and looking at ways of improving management on a global basis.
Contact author: Malcolm Clark, NIWA, Private Bag 14-901, Kilbirnie Wellington 6241, New Zealand [tel: +64-4-3860523, fax: +64-4-3860574, e-mail: m.clark@niwa.co.nz]

Keynote

Conservation measures for fisheries and vulnerable habitats in the NEAFC regulatory Area
orsteinn Sigursson

The global marine fish catch has been considered to be approaching its upper limit. The number of overfished populations, as well as the indirect effects of fisheries on marine ecosystems, indicate that management has failed to achieve the principal goal of the management - sustainability. The technology in fisheries has improved in recent decades and activity has extended towards deeper areas although the knowledge on sustainable harvest rate is often unknown. The history has shown that many deep-sea species in world oceans are and have been fished unsustainably and some species have declined rapidly. Further, such deep- sea fisheries are often conducted with gears having high impact on the bottom and consequently affecting other organisms than the target species. Some deep-water fish stocks have collapsed and fishing methods such as bottom trawling have raised international concern over the habitat damage they may cause. The United Nations General Assembly has called on regional fisheries management organizations to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems from bottom fishing activities that would have significant adverse impact on such ecosystems. In this talk I will present selected examples of trends in both pelagic and deep-water fisheries in the North-Atlantic Ocean and give an overview on how the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) has, during past decade, dealt with the issue of managing fish stocks both successfully (e.g. Atlanto-Scandian herring) and unsuccessfully (e.g. deep sea redfish and other deep sea species). In addition examples are given how NEAFC has in recent years managed deep sea fisheries with respect to conservation of vulnerable habitats such as areas of cold water corals and sponges.
Contact author: orsteinn Sigursson, Marine Research Institute Sklagata 4, 101 Reykjavk, Iceland [tel: +3545752000, fax: +3545752001, e-mail: steini@hafro.is]

E1

Deep- sea fishery resources and fisheries around the Falkland Islands
Vladimir Laptikhovsky

Deep seas around the Falkland Islands are rich in fishery resources and generally are under minor human impact. These resources include Patagonian toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides that is now fished by one longliner all year round under scientifically assigned quota. Abundant resources of grenadiers Macrourus

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carinatus (>250,000 MT) are explored but still unexploited. Both Patagonian toothfish and grenadiers carry out distant ontogenetic and seasonal migrations but reproduce only in the Falkland waters. Among commercial invertebrates there are abundant king crabs (mostly Neolithodes diomedeae) and deepsea lobsters (Thymops birsteini). Orange roughy, Hoplostethus atlanticus was recorded but not found in numbers. Because there is no trawl fishery deeper than 400 m, the continental slope of the Falkland Islands is a rather pristine environment that is also poorly studied. Some regions of the slope are of potential interest for trawl fishery targeting grenadiers. However, some large areas, particularly the widest part of the slope between 49 and 50S, 55 and 60 W, are covered by dense coral fields and should be protected in case of future development of fisheries.
Contact author: Vladimir Laptikhovsky, Falkland Islands Government Fisheries Department, P.O. Box 598. Stanley FIQQ 1ZZ, Falkland Islands [tel: (500)-27-260, fax: (500)-27-265, e-mail: vlaptikhovsky@fisheries.gov.fk]

E2

The Southern Indian Ocean Fishers Association approach to achieving sustainable deepwater fisheries on the high seas, while maintaining biodiversity. A model for RFMOs.
Graham Patchell

Achieving Sustainable High Seas Deepwater Fisheries While Maintaining Biodiversity The Southern Indian Ocean Deepwater Fishers Association (SIODFA) is an association, formed in 2006, of industry operators who undertake deepwater trawling in the southern Indian Ocean. The objective of the Association is to promote the prosecution of responsible fisheries and to support effective fisheries management of the species exploited by its members. SIODFA was the first NGO, State or RFMO to develop and implement conservation measures on the high seas that meet the requirements of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 61/105 with respect to the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems, and the recent FAO Technical Guidelines for Deepsea Fisheries. The association members have undertaken regular acoustic surveys off commercial vessels for stock assessment, and have data collection programmes in place, including coral and shark bycatch reporting. SIODFA has established a wide area of Benthic Protected Areas, in association with IUCN, and voluntarily closed over 309 150 km2 of seabed to bottom trawling. The fishery is a mixture of bottom and midwater trawling for a range of species such as orange roughy and alfonsino. The structure of most seamounts and ridges in the Southwest Indian Ocean makes them difficult to fish, and less than 4% of most features have been fished, even on heavily fished seamounts. Bottom trawling for deepwater species in such regions is different from much of the northern hemisphere, requires highly skilled fishers, and specialist equipment, which is described in this presentation. The footprint of vessels activity is assessed by continuous VMS reporting to flag state, by GIS databases on the vessel which verify the footprint, and recently with underwater cameras mounted on the headline of nets fishing in 1000 metres. The programmes that are in place to ensure sustainable deepwater fisheries while maintaining biodiversity have been suggested by FAO as a model for fishing companies, flag states and RFMOs to follow.
Contact author: Graham Patchell, Southern Indian Ocean Deep-Sea Fishers Association, Sealord Group Vickerman St Nelson New Zealand [tel: +64(3) 5483069, fax: +64 (3) 5467458, e-mail: gjp@sealord.co.nz]

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E5

Large-scale population structure in roundnose grenadier

Halvor Knutsen, Per Erik Jorde, Morten Skogen and Nils C. Stenseth

We used microsatellite DNA to characterize the large-scale population structure in roundnose grenadier (Coryphaenoides rupestris) from samples spanning over the entire North Atlantic, and to identify factors responsible for structure. The approach was to analyze samples of individuals (ca 800 fishes) by means of eight microsatellite loci and to interpret the observed genetic differentiation patterns in view of known oceanographic and bathymetric conditions. We found that this species displayed a trend of increased genetic differentiation with distance among samples. In absolute terms the amount of genetic differentiation among roundnose grenadier samples was considerably higher than in other deep sea fishes, such as Greenland halibut (Knutsen et al. 2007) and tusk (Knutsen et al. submitted) over comparable distances. The high level of genetic differentiation demonstrates that that gene flow is restricted in this species, also among relatively closely situated localities (less than 500 km). Restricted gene flow is in accordance with basic biological characteristics of roundnose grenadier. First, eggs and larvae are typically found at great depths (below 150m) and are little exposed to the strong surface currents. Thus, larval drift may be a less effective means of gene flow in this species. Second, the adult fish is confined to even greater depths (300 to 2000m) and shallow areas separating habitats in deep fjords and ocean basins probably act as barriers to dispersal.
Contact author: Halvor Knutsen, Institute of Marine Research, Nye Fldevigveien, N-4817 HIS Norway [tel: +4737059050, e-mail: halvor.knutsen@imr.no]

E7

Effects of bottom longline on vulnerable marine ecosystems in the high-seas, based on data from a cooperative research with the fishing industry
P. Durn-Muoz, F. J. Murillo, M. Sayago-Gil, A. Serrano, I. Otero, M. Laporta and C. Gmez

Since 2004, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography develops cooperative research initiatives with the fishing industry in order to study the adverse effects of the bottom longline high-seas fisheries on vulnerable marine ecosystems. This paper presents the results from a Cooperative Survey carried out in the Hatton Bank (NE Atlantic, NEAFC Regulatory Area) in summer of 2008. 38 sets (65430 hooks) were carried out using a 336GT bottom longliner. Two types of longlines and different seabird bycatch reduction methods were used. Samplings were conducted in a wide geographical (ICES XIIb and VIb1) and bathymetrical (750-1500m) range. Two scientific observers were on board to collect fishing activity data (effort, depth, catches, discards, etc.) and biological data (length distributions, samples, etc.). The efficacy of seabird bycatch reduction methods was tested. Additionally the production of garbage on board and the encounters with trash items were also studied. Deep-water sharks (Centrophorus squamosus, Centroscyllium fabricii, Centroscymnus coelolepis) were the main caught species. Bycatches of cold-water corals (Madrepora oculata, Lophelia pertusa and Solenosmilia variabilis) and sponges (Aphrocalistes sp, Euplectella sp) were recoded in the sets carried out on the outcrops located in the western flank of the Bank, while large sponges (Pheronema carpentieri) were recorded in the eastern part. The combination of different seabird bycatch reduction methods was very effective to minimize the mortality and thanks to it, only one individual (Fulmarus glacialis) was captured but it was not dead. Lost fishing nets, plastics and other sea garbage were recorded entangled in the longlines.
Contact author: Pablo Durn Muoz, Instituto Espaol de Oceanografa, Centro Oceanogrfico de Vigo. Cabo EstayCanido. Apartado 1552. Vigo. 36280 Espaa [tel: +34986492111, e-mail: pablo.duran@vi.ieo.es]

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E11

Grenadier fishery and its management in the southwest Atlantic

Vladimir Laptikhovsky and Alexander Arkhipkin

Among different macrourid fish inhabiting the continental slope of the Southwest Atlantic, only one species, M. carinatus, is of a big commercial importance. Historically the species was fished by the Russian fleet in 1970 1980-ies, mostly on the high seas and in Argentinean waters (peaked in 1988-1991 as 14,82248,679 t per annum). Later total catch of grenadiers was much lower: 2,363-5,521 t in 2004-2007. Three exploratory surveys by the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department allowed to estimate its resources in the Falkland waters as >200,000 t with a possible annual catch of about 10,000 t. These surveys revealed that the reproductive area is confined to the Falkland waters. Immature fish migrate north up to 42S to forage, and because of this it is a straddling stock potentially vulnerable to IUU fishing on the high seas. The species reproduce all year round with the major autumn peak. Spawning grounds move seasonally northward from northern slope of the Burdwood bank (>53S) in winter, to 52-54S in spring and summer, and north of 52S in autumn. Feeding grounds are segregated spatially between sexes: some regions like the western shallow extension (400-600 m) of the Falkland Trough are used by post-spawning females in winter, whereas on the northern slope of the Burdwood Bank there are dense male aggregations. Targeted fishery of grenadiers is about to start around the Falklands. To make this fishery sustainable and minimise the environmental impact, some large areas of the slope, particularly its widest flat part between 49 and 50S, 55 and 60 W, that is covered by dense deepwater coral fields should be banned from the fishery. Protection should be given also to the autumn spawners on the eastern slope. To minimise bycatch of Patagonian toothfish, the fishing depth > 850 m should be banned from grenadier trawling fishery.

Contact author: Vladimir Laptikhovsky, Falkland Islands Government Fisheries Department, P.O.Box 598, Stanley FIQQ 1ZZ, Falkland Islands [tel: (500)-27-260, fax: (500)-27-265, e-mail: vlaptikhovsky@fisheries.gov.fk]

E12

Progress toward the implementation of a network of marine protected areas in the NE Atlantic deep-sea: development of a biologically relevant classification system
K.L. Howell and J.S. Davies

The political will to implement networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) for the conservation of biodiversity in the deep-sea is growing both globally and regionally. In order to represent adequately the range of biological diversity in the deep-sea it is vital that MPA selection is based on a sound understanding of the distribution of deep-sea species. Since it is not possible or desirable to map the distribution of all deepsea species is necessary to develop surrogates for deep-sea biological diversity that are easily mapped. Organising these surrogates into a hierarchical classification system, results in the capacity to utilise data of differing resolution in MPA network selection. We present a deep-sea classification system that has been developed specifically to aid in the selection of MPAs in the NE Atlantic region. The system has been defined through a process of regional environmental assessment survey and review of the extensive literature on the NE Atlantic deep- sea ecosystem. The principle factors influencing the distribution of deep-sea organisms in the NE Atlantic region are identified as water mass origin, depth and substratum. Biologically meaningful categories of these factors are identified, defined, and used as surrogates for biological diversity. Biological communities are identified and described from survey data and the literature,

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and used a surrogates for the species within these communities. All identified surrogates are organised into a four level hierarchy reflecting their importance in structuring deep-sea communities and/or their resolution in representing biological diversity in this region. Example maps are presented.
Contact author: Kerry Howell, University of Plymouth, Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA [tel:+44 (0)1752 584544, e-mail: kerry.howell@plymouth.ac.uk]

E13

Radionuclides in deep sea organisms from the North-East Atlantic Ocean

Fernando P. Carvalho and Joo M. Oliveira

Polonium-210 (210Po) and lead-210 (210Pb), two radionuclides of the natural uranium series, were determined in marine organisms from various depths in the NE Atlantic Ocean. Concentrations of these radionuclides ranged from low to very high and were generally higher in comparison with those of terrestrial organisms. These radionuclides are primarily absorbed from water and concentrated in phyto- and microplankton, and are then transferred along marine food chains. Investigation of epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic and abyssobenthic organisms revealed that 210Po is transferred in marine food webs with transfer coefficients similar to those of energy transfer. Radiation doses to marine organisms are often due mainly to internally accumulated 210Po. Results showed that concentrations of 210Po in deep sea organisms were comparable and sometimes even higher than concentrations measured in coastal organisms, confirming that the deep sea fauna does not live in an ionizing radiation protected environment. Data on concentration of artificial radionuclides in deep sea fauna are relatively scarce. Nevertheless, concentrations of natural radionuclides still supersede the radiation doses due to manmade radionuclides released into the NE Atlantic.
Contact author: Fernando P. Carvalho, Instituto Tecnolgico e Nuclear, Departamento de Proteco Radiolgica e Segurana Nuclear E.N. 10, 2686-953 [tel: +351219946332, fax: +351219941995, e-mail: carvalho@itn.pt]

E21

Catchability of pelagic trawls for sampling deep-living nekton in the mid North Atlantic
M. Heino, F. M. Porteiro, T. T. Sutton, T. Falkenhaug, O. R. God, and U. Piatkowski

Using different types of gear facilitates gaining a more comprehensive picture of deep sea communities, but quantitatively combining the data is usually hampered by unknown selective properties of the gear used. We use the material collected in summer 2004 from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between Iceland the Azores with three pelagic trawls to estimate relative catchabilities for the common deep-pelagic fish, cephalopod and jellyfish species. We estimate taxon-specific catchability coefficients for two large pelagic trawls with graded meshes, using a smaller pelagic trawl with uniform mesh size as the reference trawl. Catchability coefficients across taxa show a very large spread, but most of the taxa have catchabilities much less than expected from the area of opening alone, indicating that the sampled volume for the larger trawls with graded meshes were highly taxon specific. Part of this variability can be explained with body size and taxonomic group, the latter probably reflecting differences in body form and behaviour. Our results highlight

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the challenges in quantifying deep-pelagic biodiversity, but also present a method to make efficient use of data collected with multiple gear.
Contact author: Mikko Heino, Department of Biology, University of Bergen PO Box 7800 N-5020 Bergen Norway [tel:+4741273454, e-mail: mikko@imr.no]

E22

Long term trends and the impact of fishing on deep sea sharks off the West Coast of Scotland
Sheila J. J. Heymans, Kerry Howell, Morag Ayers, John Gordon, Emma Jones and Francis Neat

In ICES Sub-area VIa (Rockall Trough) there are significant fisheries for deep-water demersal species, which began in the 1980s. Concern over the sustainability of these fisheries led to the introduction of quotas in 2003. More recently a phased reduction to a zero TAC for orange roughy and deep-water sharks over four years has been agreed, with TACs for other species to be reduced by 15% in both 2009 and 2010. The question of whether these fisheries are sustainable remains, and their impact on the deep-sea ecosystem is unknown. The DEEP-Fish project aims to assess the long term impacts and sustainability of this fishery on the deep-sea ecosystem. A mass balanced trophic model (Ecopath with Ecosim) has been developed for the continental slope of the Rockall Trough (ICES Sub-area VIa), using pre-fishery survey data collected during the 1970s and 1980s and current fisheries survey data collected on an annual basis. Trophic relationships between groups have been defined based on detailed studies of the diets of the demersal fishes published in the 1980s and new diet investigations. Preliminary results to explore the importance of sharks to the trophic dynamics of the ecosystem, have shown that shark fishing had a direct negative effect on a trophic group that include the targeted species, due to increases in landings and discards of the group over time. Indirect effects were evident by prey switching exhibited by all shark groups. Here we extend the model to include the other deep-water species and present some preliminary results.
Contact author: Sheila J. J. Heymans, Scottish Association for Marine Science, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Dunbeg, PA271QA, Argyll, UK [tel: +44 1631 559 418, e-mail: sheilaheymans@yahoo.com]

E26

The south-east Atlantic recent progress in the management of deep-water fisheries and vulnerable marine ecosystems
Philip Large, Hashali Hamukuaya, Titus Lilende, Kumbi Kilongo, Reidar Toresen and Ben van Zyl

Recent developments in the monitoring and management of deep-water fisheries and vulnerable marine ecosystems in the SEAFO Regulatory Area are described. SEAFO has been hailed as one the leading RFMOs in deep-water conservation, however progress has been made against a background of relatively light fishing pressure (compared with many other RFMOs in the Atlantic Ocean). Fishing pressure is likely to increase in coming years and this paper highlights the challenges ahead to reconcile conservation with the need of Contracting Parties to develop fisheries in the area.
Contact author: Philip Large, Centre of Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Sicence, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft Suffolk UK NR33 8NG [tel: 0044 (0) 1502 524491, fax: 0044 (0) 1502 527739, e-mail: phil.large@cefas.co.uk]

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E28

Preliminary analysis of interactions between Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and fishing activities on the High Seas (HS) of the SW Atlantic

J. Portela, J.L. del Ro, J. Acosta, S. Parra, J. Cristobo, M. Sacau, T. Patrocinio, R. Vilela, P. Ros, and A. Muoz Following recommendations by UN (UNGA Resolutions 59/25 and 61/105) and EC (COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 734/2008), the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), jointly with the Spanish General Secretariat for the Sea (SGM), undertook from October 2007 April 2008 a series of five research cruises on the High Seas (HS) of the SW Atlantic aiming the study of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs), fish stock status and the interactions of fishing activities with VMEs on the mentioned area. This paper presents, from an ecosystem approach, the preliminary results of this cruise combined with previous information from the commercial fishery, describing the footprint of the Spanish fisheries on the HS of the SW Atlantic, the spatial distribution of fish and benthic species, geomorphologic and hydrographical characteristics of the study area, as well as the possible interactions between anthropogenic activities and VMEs. Also a description of possible Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and probable management measures on the protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the High Seas from the adverse impacts of bottom fishing gears are proposed. Keywords: VMEs, HS, MPAs, fishing activities, bottom gears, SW Atlantic.
Contact author: Julio Portela, Instituto Espaol de Oceanografa (IEO) Centro Oceanogrfico de Vigo PO Box 1552 36200, Vigo. Spain [tel: +34 986 49 21 11, fax: +34 986 49 86 26, e-mail: julio.portela@vi.ieo.es]

E30

A new deep-water penaeoid shrimp resource in the southern Gulf of Mexico

Adolfo Gracia, Ana R. Vzquez-Bader, Enrique Lozano-Alvarez and Patricia Briones-Fourzn

In the Mexican portion of the Gulf of Mexico, shrimp fisheries are limited to the 100 m depth contour on the continental shelf and the potential for a deep-water fishery for penaeoid shrimps is unknown. In the springs of 1999 (BATO cruise) and 2007 (BIOREPES-2 cruise), we used a semi-commercial trawl net to investigate the penaeoid shrimp resources in two areas of the continental shelf of the Yucatan Peninsula (southern Gulf of Mexico). In 48 trawls over a 300 m1000 m depth range, six species of potential commercial penaeoid shrimp were caught: Aristaeopsis edwardsiana, Aristaeomorpha foliacea, Aristeus antillensis, Pleoticus robustus, Penaeopsis serrata and Parapenaeus politus. The most abundant species was A. foliacea (46.9% of the total catch in number and 48.1% in weight), followed by A. edwardsiana (16.6% in number, 26.4% in weight) and P. robustus (12.1% in number, 13.4% in weight). The total mean biomass for the two areas sampled was 730 +- 1003 g/ha and the total mean CPUE was 2.4 +- 3.3 kg/h. CPUE values ranged between 0.02 to 16.4 kg/h. In general the 399 and 400499 m strata had the highest frequency of high CPUE values (> 5.0 kg/h). CPUE values recorded were comparable to those from other fisheries for deep-water penaeoids around the world and to those from the depleted shallow shrimp fisheries in the SW Gulf of Mexico. These deep-water shrimps may represent a potential resource of commercial importance to the shrimp industry of Mexico.
Contact author: Adolfo Gracia, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnologa, Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mexico, P.O. Box 70-305, Mxico, D.F., 04510, Mxico [tel: + 52 555622 1536, fax: + 52 555622 1503, e-mail: gracia@unam.mx]

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E32

Trophic relationships in a benthic-demersal deep-sea fish assemblage: linking benthic and benthopelagic food web
Izaskun Preciado, Joan Cartes, Francisco Velasco, Ignacio Olaso, Alberto Serrano, Inmaculada Frutos and Francisco Snchez

In 2003 and 2004 two multidisciplinary surveys were carried out between 400 and 1000 m depths to study the benthic-demersal ecosystem of the Le Danois Bank (Cantabrian Sea, North Atlantic coast of Spain). Two different habitats were identified: (1) the top of the bank, ranging from 450 650 m depth and covered by finesand sediments with a low percentage of organic matter; and (2) the inner basin located between the bank and the Cantabrian Seas continental shelf, at depths of 800 1050 m which was characterised by a high proportion of silt and organic matter. We described the diet composition of nine dominant fish. The main preys found were suprabenthic amphipods, euphausiids and mysids, epibenthic crustaceans and polychaetes, bathypelagic shrimps, as well as cephalopods and fish. The nine fish species under study displayed clearly different trophic behaviours. Stomach contents analysis showed that Nezumia sclerorhynchus diet was associated with the benthic food web whereas Coryphaenoides rupestris was largely dependent on a copepod-based food web. Also, different diets in the top of the bank and the inner basin were found: euphausiids represented the main prey for Galeus melastomus on the top of the Bank, while bathypelagic shrimps and other fish were the feeding resource at the inner basin. These results were in accordance with prey availability, since euphausiids were mainly aggregated on the top of the bank coinciding with a seasonal peak in spring. The results showed that the feeding ecology of deep sea fish in Le Danois Bank was highly influenced by depth-related variables, mainly as a result of changes in prey availability. Overall results are discussed in relation to the deep-sea Le Danois ecosystem structure and functioning.
Contact author: Izaskun Preciado, Instituto Espaol de Oceanografa, Centro Oceanogrfico de Santander Promontorio San Martn, s/n P.O. Box 240 39080 Santander, Spain [tel: 0034 942291060, fax: 0034 942275072, e-mail: ipreciado@st.ieo.es]

E33

Abundance estimation and mapping of Geryonid species in South-East Atlantic Results from a Portuguese exploratory trap survey

Ivone Figueiredo, Teresa Moura, Pedro Bordalo-Machado, Miriam Guerra, Maria Jos Gaudncio and Graa Pestana The actual status of traditional fishing resources have led to an increasing interest on alternatives potentially exploitable, as is the case of the deep-sea crabs of the family Geryonidae. These deep-sea crabs are distributed worldwide, at depths ranging from 100 to 2800 m and some species are already exploited commercially in different parts of the world. In the Atlantic Ocean there are directed fisheries to deep-sea crabs since the 1970\s. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware that high yields that might occur tend to be unsustainable in face of their biology and dynamics. The species of deep-sea crabs are usually characterized by slow growth and maturation rates, and a possible infrequent recruitment. During the 2nd semester of 2007 an exploratory trap survey (Proj 22.04.06.IFP.0016) targeting deep-water crabs was conducted by a Portuguese commercial fishing vessel in the CECAF and SEAFO areas. IPIMAR was responsible for the survey design and scientific support. One of the main objectives of the survey was to get samples for the estimation of abundance/biomass indexes. To reach this goal, the data collected during the survey were analyzed trough the adjustment of Generalized Additive Models in conjunction with Geographic Information Systems In addition to the species mapping, the results obtained also allowed prediction of species distribution. This latter output will constitute important information for future

71

conservation planning, especially in the case of surveyed geographic areas where appreciable harvesting has not started yet.
Contact author: Ivone Figueiredo, Instituto de Investigao das Pescas e do Mar (INRB, L-IPIMAR), Avenida de Braslia, 1449006 Lisboa, Portugal [tel: +351 213027131, fax: +351 213015948, e-mail: ivonefig@ipimar.pt]

E34

Deep-sea research and collaborating with the offshore industry: a case study off Angola
J.A. Hughes, B.J. Bett, T. Horton, D.O.B. Jones and H. Ruhl

Technological developments increasingly enable the offshore oil and gas industry to expand its activities into deeper waters. This offers unique opportunities for deep-sea biologists to engage with the Industry, in a mutually beneficial manner. The DEEPSEAS group [1] at NOCS actively collaborates with a number of oil companies; here we discuss our research carried out in the deep waters off Angola in conjunction with BP. This collaboration has a number of aspects: Involvement in environmental impact assessments, contributions to the SERPENT Project2 (making ROV technology and data more accessible to the science community) and involvement in the Deep-ocean Environmental Long-term Observatory System (DELOS) project3. These partnerships enable us to better understand the environmental impact of the industry in the deep sea, and provide essential information about deep-sea ecosystems in general. Collaboration with the offshore industry has many benefits over traditional academic funding, as it permits access to deepwater areas within relatively short lead-up times. It allows access to oceanographically and geologically interesting areas which otherwise be difficult for scientists to obtain samples from, provides novel biogeographic and bathymetric data, and has led to the discovery and description of new species. It also enables access to resources not normally available to scientists, such as work class ROVs, which can be used for in situ experimental research and long-term observations. There are potential limitations on Industry collaborations because of the potentially sensitive commercial nature of offshore work, particularly in the exploratory phase of the developments. Nevertheless, even the routine sampling carried out by oil companies in deep-water areas may have great value to the scientific community where these commercial and confidentiality issues can be dealt with.
Contact author: J. Alan Hughes, Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystems, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, United Kingdom [tel: 02380 596354, fax: 02380 596247, e-mail: jyh@noc.soton.ac.uk]

E35

Deep-water corals promote deep-sea beta biodiversity along continental margins

L. Bongiorni, M. Mea, A. Pusceddu and R. Danovaro

Cold-water corals ecosystems support elevated benthic fauna biodiversity and provide habitats and refuges to commercially important deep sea fishes. Exhaustive information on the whole benthic biodiversity and functioning are needed in order to elaborate future management plans for these vulnerable ecosystems. Compared to macro and megafauna, small size meiofauna communities of deep-water corals ecosystems

72

have been poorly studied. Within the frame of the COMARGE project we investigated the influence of deep-water corals on the biochemical composition of sediment organic matter and meiofauna biodiversity (nematode biodiversity) of the adjacent sediments. We compared structural and functional ecosystem variables from sediment collected in the Rockall margin (NE Atlantic Ocean) and Santa Maria di Leuca (SE Mediterranean Sea). Sediments samples were collected around the deep corals and along the slope at the same depth, in areas not affected by the presence of corals, which served as control. Sediments surrounding living corals were characterised by higher quality food resources (high protein content and biopolymeric carbon) and higher meiofauna abundance, biomass and biodiversity than control slope sediments and a clear decreasing gradient was observed for all variables with increasing distance from the coral bank. Also sediments surrounding dead corals were characterize by higher meiofauna diversity than surrounding sediments, despite the lower food availability. Analyses of dissimilarity revealed a corals had a significant effect on the diversity. Results from this study indicate that the presence of three-dimensional structures, increasing habitat heterogeneity, can promote meiofauna diversity in sediments of continental margins.
Contact author: Lucia Bongiorni, Department of Marine Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, I-60131 Ancona, Italy [tel: +39 071 2204249, fax: +39 071 2204650, e-mail: l.bongiorni@univpm.it]

E36

Changes in the Deep-Sea Demersal Fish stocks of the Porcupine Seabight (NE Atlantic)
Jasmin Godbold, John Gordon, David M. Bailey, Martin A. Collins and Imants G. Priede

The demersal fish populations of the Porcupine Sea Bight and Abyssal Plain areas of the North-East Atlantic (ca. 50N 13W) have been sampled at depths between 800 and 4865m since 1977. Sampling was conducted in two periods: the early period before and during the development of commercial fisheries in this area (1977-1989; 95 trawls) and the late period (2000-2002; 60 trawls) representing post-commercial fishing. The present study is the first to examine the long-term changes in the overall fish stocks from the upper slope to the abyssal plain of the Porcupine Sea Bight. Here, a total of 108 demersal fish species have been identified with the highest number of species (n = 47) occurring at depths (1400-1600m) within the maximum depth range of commercial fishing (~1600 m). The analyses reveal that the abundance, but not species richness, of target and non-target demersal fishes have been affected to a depth of 2500m. In addition, a significant decrease biomass has occurred since the onset of commercial fisheries in the late 1970s. These changes are consistent with the view that commercial fishing activity has negatively impacted the population structure of demersal fish but also reveal that these affects have propagated beyond the fishing depth of commercial activity and have negatively affected abyssal populations.
Contact author: Jasmin Godbold, Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen, Main Street Newburgh AB41 6AA Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom [tel: (+44) 01224274421, e-mail: j.a.godbold@abdn.ac.uk]

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E39

Estimating the MPA management effects on Le Danois Bank deep-sea ecosystem (El Cachucho) using trophodynamic modelization

F. Snchez, A. Serrano, J.E. Cartes, I. Preciado, S. Parra, I. Frutos, F. Velasco, I. Olaso and J. C. Arronte El Cachucho (also known as the Le Danois Bank) is an extensive offshore bank and seamount with surrounding slopes and a complex system of submarine canyons. This ecosystem is the latest addition to the Network of Marine Protected Areas of the OSPAR Commission. Depths within the area vary from 500 to 4000 m, an amazing diverse biological hot-spot, including sponge aggregations, and gorgonian forests. Also constitute the Essential Fish Habitat for some commercial species. Trying to preserve this vulnerable ecosystem, Spanish fisheries authorities proposed some management measures over ground fisheries. Ecopath and Ecospace routines were used as an exploratory tool for the analysis of trophic relationships in time/space and for the evaluation of the effect of the MPA establishment. The model includes 35 functional groups, 3 detritus groups (marine snow, deposit detritus and fishery discards) and 5 fisheries (gillnet, demersal longline, sharks longline, ott er trawl and traps). To construct this model an intensive sampling program was carried out using multidisciplinary surveys. Model predictions show an important increase of biomass of fish and vulnerable species. The spillover effect increases the biomass of commercial species (Anglerfish, Megrim, Squids) on the near Cantabrian Sea continental shelf. One of the main effects of the proposed management measures is the new reallocation of fishing effort, which is increasing in the Southern zone of the MPA. Nevertheless, the reserve effect can compensate this increase of effort due to the more available biomass on this adjacent area due to the increase of the spawners biomass on MPA.
Contact author: Francisco Snchez, Instituto Espaol de Oceanografa, Promontorio San Martn s/n, P.O. Box 240, 39080 Santander Spain [tel: +34 942 291060, fax: +34 942 275072, e-mail: f.sanchez@st.ieo.es]

E40

Fishery-independent bottom trawl surveys for deepwater fishes and invertebrates of the United States Gulf of Mexico
Mark A. Grace, Brandi Noble, Walter Nelson and Alonzo Hamilton

From 2002 through 2008, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC/Mississippi Laboratories conducted fishery-independent bottom trawl surveys for continental shelf and outer-continental shelf deepwater fishes and invertebrates of the U. S. Gulf of Mexico (30 m 500 m bottom depths). Standardized survey gear and a random survey design have facilitated development of a fishery-independent time series that characterizes species diversity, distributions and catch per unit effort (801 bottom trawls completed during 155 sea days). In addition to biological sampling opportunities and specimen collections, other survey objectives included environmental, ichthyoplankton and benthic infauna sampling. The fishery-independent surveys provide synoptic descriptions of deepwater fauna potentially impacted by various anthropogenic factors.
Contact author: Mark A. Grace, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC/Mississippi Laboratories P.O. Drawer 1207 Pascagoula [tel: 01228-762-4591 x 285, fax: 01-228-769-9200, e-mail: mark.A.Grace@noaa.gov]

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E42

Trophic pathways of the mid-North Atlantic

T.T. Sutton, J.E. Hoffman, O.A. Bergstad, T. Falkenhaug, F. Porteiro, M. Heino, C.I.H. Anderson, J. Horne and A. Bucklin Because deep-sea fisheries are increasing as coastal fisheries decline, fisheries scientists need baseline data on deep-sea ecosystems prior to further development of deep-water fisheries. We present preliminary results and ongoing efforts to characterize the trophic structure and energy flow of the pelagic ecosystems of the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge, from Iceland to the Azores. This study is one component of the international CoML field project MAR-ECO (www.mar-eco.no). We found a diverse deep-pelagic fish fauna (205 spp.), with unexpectedly high bathypelagic fish biomass and spatial complexity. Based on literature reports of species present, crustacean planktivory is the dominant trophic guild (79% of individuals 47% of species), primarily within the mesopelagial. Gelativory was second (12% ind., 4% spp.), primarily within the bathypelagial. Omnivory (3%, 13%), shrimpivory (2%, 4%), and piscivory (1%, 21%) were the remaining major feeding guilds. The diets of 22 spp., primarily bathypelagic, are unknown. Based on stable isotope analysis of fish tissue, two distinct trophic modes were identified: a mode at trophic level 4 (18%; crustacean and gelatinous planktivory) and a mode at trophic level 4.5-5.0 (58%; crustacean planktivory and piscivory). The top piscivores were bathypelagic fishes. In terms of fish biomass, the gelativorous taxa dominated, followed by crustacean zooplanktivores and piscivores. Quantitative comparisons of the different trophic pathways are not possible at present, given our limited knowledge of feeding rates of most species. However, microscopical and molecular analyses are currently ongoing to fill this void, including development of techniques to identify/quantify gelatinous prey as an alternate trophic pathway.
Contact author: Tracey T. Sutton , Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, PO Box 1346, Gloucester Point, VA 23062 USA [tel: 01 804 684 7372, fax: 01 804 684 7327 e-mail: tsutton@vims.edu]

E45

Overexploitation of the red (=blackspot) seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo in the Bay of Biscay in the 1970s: dynamics and consequences
Pascal Lorance

Nowadays, the red seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) is a minor fishery resource in the Bay of Biscay. On the French coast, it has been mainly caught by a few handliners off Brittany during recent years, while it used to be a major species in the landings from trawlers throughout the Bay of Biscay in the 1950s to 1970s. Up to the mid-seventies, more than 15 000 tonnes of red-seabream were landed annually in Spanish and French ports, then the catch declined sharply from 1975 to 1985 and has stayed at a low level since then. In this contribution, the read-seabream is shown to be highly sensitive to overfishing due to its protandrous hermaphroditism with late first maturity as females and rather low productivity; it probably has also a high catchability due to its schooling behaviour. The history of the fishery collapse is described using time series of landings from the 1920s to the present time. Survey data, starting in the late 1950s were used to assess the spatial and seasonal distribution as well as the position of the species in the demersal fish community. A yield-per recruit model revealed that the spawning stock biomass of red seabream is reduced to <20% of virgin spawning stock biomass (VSSB) for a fishing mortality around 0.2, and <10% VSSB for a 0.4 fishing mortality. As fishing mortalities of the main demersal stock (hake, anglerfish, sole) in the Bay of Biscay have been typically in the range 0.2-0.5 during the last 30 years, it is likely that the red seabream stock was exploited at similar levels, which are unsustainable for this species as demonstrated. The economical, at the fishery level, and ecological, in terms of biodiversity,

75

consequences of the population collapse are described and the management options of species such as the red seabream in the context of the Marine Strategy framework directive are discussed.
Contact author: Pascal Lorance, Ifremer, Rue de lle dYeu, B.P. 211105, 44311 Nantes cedex 3, France [tel: +(33) 2374085, e-mail: pascal.lorance@ifremer.fr]

E47

Utility of indicators of community composition, length structure and diversity for monitoring the deep water demersal fish assemblage to the northwest of Scotland
Neil Campbell, Francis Neat, Finlay Burns and Phil Kunzlik

The fish community on the Atlantic shelf slope to the northwest of Scotland has been the subject of biological studies for over a century. A deep water trawl survey with a depth-stratified design has been conducted by Fisheries Research Services (FRS) in this area since 1998. In this work we present and compare trends in indicators of community composition, size structure and biodiversity of the deep-water demersal fish community. Results reveal no temporal or latitudinal trends in community diversity, with the most significant factor in determining diversity of the demersal fish community being depth. Trends in sizespectra reveal consistent and stable patterns over time, however analysis length structure of commercially exploited species shows a decline in the average length (L bar) and maximum average length (L max) of the roundnose grenadier, Coryphaenoides rupestris. The interpretation of these indicators imply that the deep water fish community on the slope to the northwest of Scotland has not been subject to significant fishery-induced changes over the past decade, however trends evident in exploited species suggest that care should be taken in the management of the fishery to improve its sustainability.
Contact author: Neil Campbell, Fisheries Research Services, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB, Scotland [tel: +44 1224 295 314, fax: +44 1224 295 511, e-mail: n.Campbell@marlab.ac.uk]

E50

North Atlantic mesopelagic biodiversity as perceived by the stomiid fish fauna

Filipe M. Porteiro, Ricardo S. Santos and Richard D.M. Nash

Meso- and bathypelagic biodiversity is a widely neglected subject: published empirical data are very sparse. Most of pelagic biodiversity approaches focused on invertebrates; studies on biodiversity of micronektonic midwater fish are rare. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of patterns of pelagic biodiversity in the North Atlantic, using the stomiid fish species as study case. The approach uses 20000 records from 8186 historical net-hauls that caught 141 stomiid fish species. They were classified by squares of 5 per 5 latitude/longitude (sq_5x5) and Longhursts provinces (Lgh_P). Matrices on absolute numbers and on numbers and biomass of fish species caught per standardized fishing effort per sq_5x5 and Lgh_P were assembled. Saturation and species abundance-biomass curves, relative abundances categories and standard biodiversity indices were computed. The geographical distribution of biodiversity properties has been mapped, using data kriging. Multidimensional scaling analyses (MDS) were computed on matrices of biodiversity indices. Species richness and diversity were higher in the western and eastern

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tropical Atlantic (i.e. CARB, NATR W and NATR E), equatorial (WTRA) and western subtropical province (NAST W). NATR, NAST E and GFST/Slope Water ordered along a smooth decreasing gradient of diversity. NADR, ETRA and CNRY reached lower values of species diversity, but the species-poor provinces were SARC, ARCT, BPLR and MEDI. Dominance was less pronounced at equatorial, subtropical and eastern and western boundary tropical provinces, and strongly marked at GFST and MEDI. The central tropical gyre (NATR) reached intermediate values. Most of the assemblages contained a relatively high number of rare species; the exceptions were the eastern tropical provinces where the larger percentage of the species showed moderate abundances. The MDS clearly separated the stomiid impoverished provinces from the more diverse provinces. NADR linked the northern and the broadly tropical provinces. CNRY and ETRA clustered as a result of their intermediate levels of diversity. The remaining tropical and subtropical provinces were more or less amalgamated. The geographical distribution of diversity properties clearly illustrated the contrast between the provinces with highest stomiid diversity (WTRA, CARB, NATR E and NAST W) and low diversity, including that found at the central NATR. North Atlantic endemic species were mainly distributed across the subtropical belt (and NATR W) and along the eastern tropical Atlantic. The eastern North Atlantic was dominated by the less derived stomiid sub-families (i.e. Astronesthinae, Chauliodontinae and Stomiinae) while derived melanostomiids radiated mainly in the western sector of the basin. Malacosteinae radiated throughout the North Atlantic.
Contact author: Filipe Mora Porteiro, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas (DOP) Universidade dos Aores, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351 292 200 426, fax: +351 292200411, e-mail: filipe@uac.pt]

E57

The FAO International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-sea Fisheries in the High Seas
Dominique Grboval, Jean-Franois Pulvenis de Sligny and Blaise Kuemlangan

The expansion of deep-seas fisheries from coastal waters under national jurisdiction towards high seas areas, and the potential impact on fish stocks, biodiversity and habitat has become an issue of international concern as adverse impacts on vulnerable species and habitats can occur very rapidly even when deepsea fisheries activities are carried out within a relatively short span of time. The biological characteristics specific of marine living species exploited by these fisheries makes management particularly challenging, and include: maturation at relatively old ages; slow growth; long life expectancies; low natural mortality rates; intermittent recruitment of successful year classes; and spawning that may not occur every year. In addition, other challenges for management of these species stem from the nature and scope of the existing international legal and institutional framework relevant to the management of deep-sea fisheries, which has its roots in instruments, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which were developed at a time when the extent of the scientific and technological development that would allow access to these resources and increase in the importance of protecting marine biodiversity could hardly be anticipated. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is actively involved in issues related to the management of bottom fisheries in the high seas and in the conservation of marine resources and habitats, consistent with the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, as well as in the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) and marine biodiversity. In this respect, special mention must be made of the FAO International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-sea Fisheries in the High Seas, which were developed and adopted in response to the request by the FAO Committee on Fisheries at its twentyseventh session (March 2007) and the UN General Assembly Resolution 61/105. The role of the Guidelines is to provide tools, including guidance on their application, to facilitate and encourage the efforts of States and RFMO/As towards sustainable use of marine living resources exploited by deep-sea fisheries, the prevention of significant adverse impacts on deep-sea VMEs and the protection of marine biodiversity that these ecosystems contain. In addition, they describe the primary objective of the management of deep-sea

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fisheries in the high seas as the promotion of responsible fisheries that provide economic opportunities while ensuring the conservation of marine living resources and the protection of marine biodiversity. In spite of the fact that these Guidelines are voluntary and are meant only to constitute an instrument of reference to help States and RFMO/As in formulating and implementing the appropriate measures for the management of deep-sea fisheries in the high seas, their adoption represents a major step forward in addressing both fisheries management and marine biodiversity conservation in an integrated manner and contributes to the development and strengthening of the applicable legal and institutional framework.
Contact author: Dominique Grboval, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy [tel: 39 06 570 52122, e-mail: Dominique.Greboval@fao.org]

E58

The patterns of life in the South Atlantic mid-oceanic ridge system: state-of-the-art and the development of a South Atlantic MAR-ECO project (CoML)
Jose A. A. Perez and Eliana Alves

The South Atlantic is the newest of all major oceans and the only one to be directly connected to all of them. It is also economically important as it sustains a large portion of the Atlantic pelagic and demersal fisheries. Yet our knowledge on its patterns of deep-water diversity and distribution is scarce and concentrated on the slope areas of the African and South American margins. Faunal records associated to the abyssal plain, ridge system and seamounts are scattered and mostly generated by few oceanographic expeditions and seamount fishing surveys. Besides these major gaps of knowledge on diversity, important questions remain concerning the role of mid-oceanic ridge, and its adjacent seamounts, in deep-water fauna dispersal processes between the coasts of Africa and South America and among the north Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Antarctic oceans. The Census of Marine Life - MAR-ECO project is studying faunal communities associated with the midAtlantic Ridge in the North Atlantic. It focuses on pelagic and benthic macro- and megafauna, and has utilized innovative methods to map their distributions, analyze community structure, study life histories and trophic relationships. The South Atlantic MAR-ECO project has been developed as an international effort to extend MAR-ECOs sampling approach to the southern mid-Atlantic ridge and adjacent seamount chains (St. Peters & St. Pauls Rocks, Rio Grande Rise and Walvis Ridge) and to address the main deep-water fauna diversity and biogeography questions in these overlooked areas of the deep ocean.
Contact author: Jose Angel Alvarez Perez, Centro de Cincias Tecnolgicas, da Terra e do Mar - CTTMar. Universidade do Vale do Itaja- UNIVALI. Cx Postal 360. Itaja, Santa Catarina, Brasil. CEP 99302-202 [tel:+55 47 3341-7714, fax: +55 47 3341-7715, e-mail:angel.perez@univali.br]

E59

Deepwater fisheries in Brazil: history, status and perspectives

Jos A. A. Perez, Paulo R. Pezzuto, Roberto Wahrlich and Ana L. S. Soares

The recent development of deep-water fisheries off Brazil is reviewed from biological, economic and political perspectives. This process has been centered in the southeastern and southern sectors of Brazilian coast (19o-34oS) and motivated by both overfishing of main coastal resources and a government-induced vesselchartering program. Shelf break (100-250 m) operations of national hook-and-line and trawl vessels intensified

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in the 1990s. Around the 2000-2001, however, foreign-chartered longliners, gillnetters, potters and trawlers started to operate in Brazilian waters and led a process of complete occupation of the upper slope (250500 m) mostly aiming at the monkfish (Lophyus gastrophysus), the Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi), the Brazilian codling (Urophycis mystacea), the wreckfish (Polyprion americanus), the Argentine short-fin squid (Illex argentinus), the red crab (Chaceon notialis) and the royal crab (Chaceon ramosae). Between 2004 and 2007 chartered trawlers established a valuable fishery on deep-water shrimps (Fam. Aristeidae) heavily exploiting the lower slope (500-1000 m). Total catches of deepwater resources varied annually from 5,756 ton in 2000 to a maximum of 19,923 ton in 2002 decreasing to nearly 11,000 ton in 2006 when most deepwater fishing activity was greatly reduced. Despite intensive data collection, the availability of timely stock assessments and of a formal participatory process of management plan building, deep-water stocks have generally been considered already overexploited essentially as a result of important limitations to governance.
Contact author: Jose Angel Alvarez Perez, Centro de Cincias Tecnolgicas, da Terra e do Mar - CTTMar. Universidade do Vale do Itaja- UNIVALI. Cx Postal 360. Itaja, Santa Catarina, Brasil. CEP 99302-202 [tel:+55 47 3341-7714, fax: +55 47 3341-7715, e-mail:angel.perez@univali.br]

E61

Northern distribution limit of the intermediate scabbardfish Aphanopus intermedius (Parin, 1983) based on PCR-RFLPs screening
Sergio Stefanni, Diana Catarino and Miguel Machete

When originally described, the distribution of Aphanopus intermedius in the Atlantic Ocean was described for moderately warm and tropical waters with latitude boundaries between 50N and 35S.This species is very similar to its close relative A. carbo, with which it shares most of its morphological and meristic characters. Apparently, only the number of vertebrae can discriminate between the two species although more recent data are now claiming that even here there are overlaps. Two mtDNA regions (CR and COI genes) distinguish the two species at different levels of percentage of sequence divergence. A protocol based on PCR-RFLPs for these two mtDNA regions (digested with restriction enzymes HaeII for CR and SAU3AI for COI after amplification), was set up to speed up the process of screening a large number of fish. Samples of Aphanopus sp. from mainland Portugal, Madeira, Canaries, Eastern Africa, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and Azores (including seamounts located N, S and E of the islands) were scrutinised to define the northern limit of the distribution of A. intermedius.

Contact author: Sergio Stefanni, Universidade dos Aores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351 292 200 439, fax: +351 292200411, e-mail: sstefanni@uac.pt]

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E62

Distribution of deep-water corals of the Flemish Cap, Flemish Pass and the Grand Banks of Newfoundland (Northwest Atlantic Ocean): interaction with fishing activities
F.J. Murillo Perez, P. Durn Muoz, A. Altuna Prados and A. Serrano

Distribution of deep-water corals of the Flemish Cap, Flemish Pass and the Grand Banks of Newfoundland is described based on by-catch from Spanish/EU bottom trawl groundfish surveys. Based on this research, thirty-six different taxa of deep-water corals have been preliminary identified in the study area: twenty alcyonaceans (including the gorgonians), eleven pennatulaceans, three solitary scleractinians and two antipatharians. Highest diversity of coral species was found in the Flemish Cap. Corals were most abundant along the continental slope, between 600 and 1300 m depth. Soft corals (alcyonaceans), sea fans (gorgonians) and black corals (antipatharians) are most commonly in bedrock or gravel whereas sea pens (pennatulaceans) and cup corals (solitary scleractinians) are concentrated primarily in mud habitats. The biomass of deep-water corals in the by-catches was generally low in the regularly-used fishing grounds studied. Most of the by-catches were recorded in hauls carried out in areas outside of regular fishing grounds for the bottom trawlers. Significant by-catches of large gorgonians were recorded in the Southeast of Flemish Cap, Flemish Pass and the North of the Grand Banks, indicating that Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) could occur there. Pennatulaceans, solitary scleractinians, alcyonaceans and antipatharians were more abundant as part of by-catch in some hauls carried out in the North of Flemish Cap and the South of the Grand Banks, but it is not clear if these by-catches indicate presence of VMEs in the area sampled. The preliminary information presented here, derived solely from bottom trawl survey bycatch records, it is not enough for identification of VMEs accurately, but it is very valuable to give a general view of where VMEs like to occur or not occur until a properly planned habitat mapping exercise is realised. Currently, this information is being used by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) as baseline data to identify candidate VMEs areas in the NAFO Regulatory Area for the subsequent adoption of suitable habitat conservation measures to preserve deep-water corals.

Contact author: Francisco J. M. Perez, Instituto Espaol de Oceanografa Centro Oceanogrfico de Vigo Cabo Estai Canido. 36200 Vigo, Spain [tel: +34 986 492 111, fax: +34 986 498 626, e-mail: javier.murillo@vi.ieo.es]

E64

Deep-sea fishing surveys on eight seamounts in the North-East Atlantic

Diana Catarino, Gui Menezes and Sergio Stefanni

Deep-sea living resources have gained importance over the last decades in commercial fisheries as a result of over-exploitation of the coastal stocks. In order to achieve a suitable management strategy for these fisheries, it is essential to understand the demographic and life-history characteristics of the poorly studied deep-sea species. The two cruises, organized within the DEECON project (Unravelling population connectivity for sustainable fisheries in the Deep Sea), aimed to deep-sea fishery on eight Atlantic seamounts located South (Great Meteor, Irving, Plato and Atlantis) and West (Cavala, Voador, Monte Alto and Gigante) of the Central Group of the Azores Archipelago. Fishing was done using two longline gears adapted to the collection of black scabbardfish, deep-sea sharks and shallower demersal species. The fifteen longline sets were deployed along a bathymetric gradient between 150 and 2000 m. During the surveys were collected data on fishin g effort, catches by species beside other biological and oceanographic information. For the

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first cruise a total of 34 teleosts and 19 elasmobranches species were collected. In the second cruise were caught a total of 25 teleosts, 16 elasmobranches and 3 crustaceans species. For both cruises the teleosts fishes dominated the catches in number and Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus was the predominant species. However with the depth increment the elasmobranches catches became more relevant. Several invertebrates were caught as bycatch, mostly cold water corals and sponges. Most of them were identified and preserved for future studies.
Contact author: Diana Catarino, Universidade dos Aores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351292200438 , fax: +351 292200411 , e-mail: dianacatarino@uac.pt]

E65

Lead-radium and bomb radiocarbon dating: age validation of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) and cowcod (Sebastes levis)

Allen H. Andrews, Dianne M. Tracey, Gregor M. Cailliet, Matthew Dunn, Cassandra Brooks, Julian Ashford, Lisa A. Kerr, John Butler, Craig Kastelle, Kenneth Coale, Thomas Brown, and Paul Cowley Radiometric methods used to determine the age and growth of fishes have been refined since their introduction and applied throughout the world. The most common and well developed methods are leadradium and bomb radiocarbon dating. The assumptions necessary for the use of lead-radium dating, because of low instrument resolution, have been largely circumvented with technological advances in mass spectrometry. This aspect of the science is epitomized by the story behind orange roughy age validation. Determining the age of orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) has proved complicated. Age validation methods have been applied, but longevity has remained an unresolved issue. Lifespan estimates range from ~20 to >100 years. Centenarian age estimates were revealed with thin sectioning and support was provided in an early lead-radium dating study. Necessary assumptions associated with lead-radium dating at the time led to disbelief in the >100 year age determinations. In this study, an improved lead-radium dating technique that circumvented previously required assumptions provided support for thin section ages. As an independent estimate of age, lead-radium dating indicated fish in the oldest age group were at least 93 years old, providing robust support for a centenarian lifespan. Most recently, lead-radium dating was applied to a series replicated age groups of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) otoliths. Age estimates from otolith growth zone counts indicated they may live 50+ years. In this study, otolith age estimation methods used by the Center for Quantitative Fisheries Science (USA) and the Central Ageing Facility (Australia) were evaluated using leadradium dating. Both facilities appear to have an ageing bias of just a few years. In general, the lead-radium dating trend for both facilities provided support for the age interpretations with minor differences and provided support for a 50 year lifespan. For bomb radiocarbon dating, our most recent application was to the otoliths of cowcod rockfish (Sebastes levis), an overfished species off southern California. Maximum estimated age was 55 yr using thin transverse sections, but the validity of these estimates remained unresolved. In this study, a series of aged otoliths with estimated birth dates ranging back to the pre-bomb era (~pre-1957) were tested for radiocarbon (14C) levels in the core material (less than the first year of life). Values were reported as 14C and compared to regional reference 14C time-series. New procedures provided a way of determining potential age bias and a lifespan of at least 36 years was determined based on the distribution of the measured 14C values relative to the reference time-series.
Contact author: Allen H. Andrews, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories - Age and Longevity Research Laboratory California State University, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, California 95039 USA [tel:001 831 771-4460, e-mail:andrews@mlml.calstate.edu]

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C4

Ecosystems of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge The ECOMAR project

Imants G. Priede, Nicola King, Mark Inall, A. Rus Hoelzel, Andrew S. Brierley, David S.M. Billett and Peter Miller ECOMAR (Ecosystem of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) at the Sub-Polar Front and Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone) is the major United Kingdom contribution to the Census of Marine Life project, MARECO. ECOMAR focuses on the central part of the North Atlantic identified during a voyage of the RV GO Sars in 2004 as a zone of transition between faunas north and south of the subpolar front at 51N where the North Atlantic current crosses the ridge in an area of major a fracture zones. ECOMAR comprises four cruises, in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Instrumented moorings with sediment traps have been established east and west of the ridge at 54N and two stations at 49N. Three years of oceanographic and pelagic-benthic flux data will be collected will be linked to a corresponding remote sensing time series of SST, fronts and chlorophyll supported by sea truth studies on the 4 voyages. Flow across the ridge is being studied by satellite altimetry with ship borne CTDs and ADCP. A comprehensive programme of benthic biological sampling at each of the 4 stations which are at 2500m depth is being done by trawl, multicorer, landers and towed cameras supported by genetics studies on samples taken. Acoustic and mid-water trawl surveys of pelagic biodiversity and biomass are also being done at the four stations. Swath bathymetry has identified contrasting soft sediment and rocky habitats across the ridge that will be investigated by ROV during the final voyage of the RRS James Cook 2010. Contact author: Imants (Monty) G. Priede, University of Aberdeen, Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, AB41 6A UK [tel: +441224 274408, e-mail: i.g.priede@abdn.ac.uk]

P50

WGDEEP: assessing deep-sea fisheries in the ICES area

Tom Blasdale

The ICES Study Group on the Biology and Assessment of Deep-Sea Fisheries Resources first met in 1994 to compile information on deepwater fisheries within the ICES area. In subsequent years, this study group, together with the EC FAIR Project (95/655) Developing deep-water fisheries: data for their assessment and for understanding their interaction with and impact on a fragile environment, Made considerable progress in compiling fisheries and biological data and developing assessment methodologies. The Study Group was re-established as the Working Group on the Biology and Assessment of Deep-Sea Fisheries Resources (WGDEEP) in 2001. Since 2000, the work of these groups has formed the basis of biennial ICES advice on deepwater fisheries. The group has trialed a number of assessment methodologies including DeLury constant recruitment and Schaefer production models, XSA and separable VPA. However, in many cases sparsity of data means that advice is restricted to simple examination of trends in survey abundance indices, CPUE, and landings series. Stock discrimination remains problematical and, in the absence of conclusive evidence for many species, the Working Group has tentatively suggested assessment units based on the best available evidence. Advice is presently given for 14 species in 29 assessment units. This talk will consider the deep-water stocks and fisheries of the ICES area and problems encountered in their assessment.
Contact author: Tom Blasdale, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Dunnet House, 7 Thistle Place, Aberdeen UK AB10 1UZ [tel: +44 1224 655708, fax: +44 1224 621488, e-mail: tom.blasdale@jncc.gov.uk]

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Posters
E3 - Poster

Role of vessel-reef habitat for fish assemblages on low relief substrate in 50 to 120 m depths
David R. Bryan, Kirk Kilfoyle, R. Grant Gilmore, Jr. and Richard E. Spieler

In Broward County, Florida, the continental shelf is narrow and provides limited low relief habitat. Derelict vessels have been deployed offshore with the intention of providing additional habitat and enhancing local recreational fisheries. The reef fish assemblage associated with vessel-reefs and interactions between fish assemblages on vessel-reefs and neighboring low relief habitat has not been adequately described. We used remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to survey vessel-reefs and low relief habitat between 50 and 120m depth to describe reef fish assemblages, species richness, and relative abundances. Over 39 months, 27 dives (985 min of video) on low relief habitat and 24 dives to three vessel-reefs (1331 min of video) recorded 42 species, 615 fish (38 fish/hour) on natural substrate and 65 species, 50,394 fish (2272 fish/h) on vessel-reefs. In addition to dramatic differences in abundance, there were also distinct differences in species assemblage. Small planktivorous Anthiinae (estimated >44,000) and several fisheries important piscivores were common on vessel-reefs but absent on natural substrate. Fish assemblages on vesselreefs at 50 to 120m depths off Broward County more closely resemble those found at similar depths in high natural relief areas off east-central Florida and the Gulf of Mexico than the shallow-reef fish (10 to 30m depth) assemblages typically found within one kilometer. From a fisheries perspective, our study provides some support to the hypothesis that in deep-water regions with limited relief, vessel-reefs may provide an opportunity to increase fish diversity and abundance by creating high relief habitat without compromising adjacent fish assemblages.
Contact author: Richard Spieler, Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, 8000 N Ocean Dr Dania Beach, FL USA 33004 [tel: +19542623613, fax: +19548162785, e-mail: spielerr@nova.edu]

E4 - Poster

Feeding Habits of some Demersal Fishes on the Charleston Bump Off the Southeastern United States
Sarah F. Goldman and George R. Sedberry

The feeding habits of several demersal fishes on the upper continental slope were investigated to determine the trophic relationships of these ecologically dominant and commercially important species, and to determine food sources for slope fishes off the southeastern U.S. Stomach contents were examined from 561 fishes, including wreckfish, Polyprion americanus; barrelfish, Hyperoglyphe perciformis; red bream, Beryx decadactylus; shortspine dogfish, Squalus mitsukurii; conger eel, Conger oceanicus; splendid alfonsino, Beryx splendens; roughskin dogfish, Cirrhigaleus asper; and gulper shark, Centrophorus granulosus. Fishes fed on 53 prey taxa, and there were dietary differences among predators, with some overlap among certain species. Wreckfish predominantly consumed teleost fishes and squids; barrelfish had a diet dominated by pelagic tunicates and some mesopelagic fishes and squids; red bream consumed mainly fishes, squids, and crustaceans; shortspine dogfish preyed on fishes and squids. Seasonal shifts

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in diet were observed in wreckfish, barrelfish, and red bream. Many of the prey items encountered were vertically migrating organisms, which are a critical link between surface waters and the slope ecosystem.
Contact author: Sarah Goldman, College of Charleston, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 571 White Chapel Circle, Charleston, SC 29412 USA [tel: 843-670-0280, e-mail: sarahfgoldman@gmail.com]

E6 - Poster

ECOVUL/ARPA: An interdisciplinary methodology for the identification of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the Hatton Bank high-seas fisheries (ICES VIb1 and XIIb)

P. Durn Muoz, M. Sayago-Gil, S. Parra, A. Serrano, J. Cristobo, V. Daz del Rio, T. Patrocinio, M. Sacau, J. Murillo, D. Palomino and L. M. Fernndez-Salas This work presents the interdisciplinary methodology used for the identification of cold-water coral habitats in the Hatton Bank high-sea fisheries (NE Atlantic, ICES VIb1 and XIIb) in order to select areas closed to bottom fishing, as well the main results obtained. Using an interactive process involving Conventional Fisheries Science, Geomorphology, Benthic Ecology and Sedimentology, the approach developed under the ECOVUL/ARPA project, has contributed to improve the knowledge about the distribution of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the NEAFC Regulatory Area and to produce advice on adverse fishing impacts and habitat protection. Applying such interdisciplinary approach, the project identified the high-seas bottom trawl fishery footprint on the Hatton Bank western slope, mapped the main deep-sea fishing grounds and deep-sea habitats (1000-1500m depth) and studied the interactions between bottom trawl fishing and coldwater corals. This approach allow ed to recommend that the area known as the Hatton Bank north-western outcrops should be closed to bottom fishing, as a conservation measure to preserve the cold-water corals habitats in the framework of the 61/105 UNGA Resolution
Contact author: Pablo Durn Muoz, Instituto Espaol de Oceanografa, Centro Oceanogrfico de Vigo. Cabo EstayCanido. Apartado 1552. Vigo. 36280 Espaa [tel: +34986492111, e-mail: pablo.duran@vi.ieo.es]

E8 - Poster

Biodiversity and benthic ecology of bathyal seamounts in the Faial Channel, Azores
Kirsty Kemp, Kirsty Morris and Alex Rogers

The deep slopes of oceanic islands and seamounts are habitats which may host rich communities of coral and associated fauna particularly susceptible to the threats of fisheries disturbance and the effects of climate change. To understand the resilience of such communities to disturbance we must know how species reproduce, what the spatial and temporal patterns of larval settlement and recruitment are, and the rate of growth of individuals and colonies. The early stages of a long-term investigation into the ecology of benthic organisms inhabiting the bathyal slopes of seamounts in the Azores archipelago are reported here. Data obtained from manned submersible video surveys begin to elucidate the interactions and interdependencies of the faunal components of this ecosystem, particularly between coral and fish

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species. Longer-term monitoring of coral settlement panels will facilitate an understanding of the processes underlying the present biodiversity in these habitats and how these processes control the establishment and maintenance of benthic assemblages over both short (ecological) and long (evolutionary) time scales.

Contact author: Kirsty Kemp, Institute of Zoology Regents Park London NW1 4RY UK [tel: +44 (0)20 7449 6527, fax: +44 (0)20 7586 2870, e-mail: kirstykemp@gmail.com]

E9 - Poster

Discard and By-catch composition in the crustacean trawlers in south Portugal (Algarve coast)
S. Olim and T. C. Borges

With the increasing emphasis on conservation and management at the multi-species and ecosystem levels, there is an urgent need to evaluate discarding practices and to quantify discard composition and mortality in order to understand the impacts at population and ecosystem levels. The discards and by-catch composition of crustacean trawlers in the Algarve coast were analyzed between 1998 and 2006, with a total of 68 trips and 172 hauls sampled. The main target species of crustacean trawlers is Nephrops norvegicus, Parapenaeus longirostris and Aristeus antennatus, however 265 species were identified: 13 bivalves, 21 cartilaginous fishes, 21 cephalopods, 11 cnidarians, 53 crustacean, 14 equinodermes, 15 gastropods and 112 bony fishes. The discards ratios calculated were between 42% and 66%, with bony fish species mostly discarded: Micromesistius poutassou (30%); Nezumia sclerorinchus (7%) and Lepidopus caudatus (6%). The cartilaginous species mostly discarded was Galeus melanostomus (3%). Discards appear not only to increase in recent years, but also the species composition seems to have changed along the years.

Contact author: Snia Olim, CCMAR - Centro de Cincias do Mar do Algarve, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas 8005-139 Faro - Portugal [tel: +351289800900, e-mail: solim@ualg.pt]

E10 - Poster

Preliminary results on feeding ecology of Stomiiforme fishes of the northern mid-Atlantic

Vanda Carmo, Odd Aksel Bergstad, Tone Falkenhaug, Gui Menezes and Tracey Sutton Midwater fishes are key organisms in the photosynthetic food-webs of the oceans. Several of these species are vertically migrating fishes that feed on zooplankton in the epipelagic zone during the night and spend the day in the mesopelagial. As prey of piscivorous predators and food for scavengers, they constitute essential conveyors of energy and matter from the epipelagial to the animals deeper in the water column and the benthopelagic zone. Target species for this study come from characteristic families of the midAtlantic mesopelagic ichthyofauna, i.e. Sternoptychidae, Gonostomatidae, Phosichthyidae, Stomiidae and Myctophidae. Adopting classical morphological techniques in combination with stable isotope analyses the study will enhance the quality of trophic analyses compared with previous investigations. New insight will be

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gained on species-specific patterns and roles. The results will contribute significantly to conceptual models of the food-web relationships for the mid-Atlantic derived from efforts within the international MAR-ECO project.

Contact author: Vanda Carmo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas (DOP), Universidade dos Aores 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351916068102, fax: +351 292200411, e-mail: vandacarmo@uac.pt]

E14 - Poster

Sediment accumulation and bioturbation rates in the deep North-East Atlantic determined by radiometric techniques
Fernando P. Carvalho, Joo M. Oliveira and A. Monge Soares

The upper layers of box-core bottom sediment samples from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (5 cores) and from Iberia Abyssal Plain (8 cores) in the North-East Atlantic, were analyzed for porosity, grain size, organic carbon, calcium carbonate and radionuclides. Radiometric ages of sediment layers were determined using 230Th/232Th, and 14C radionuclides. Sediment accumulation rates were 0.14cm/103 yr and 3.2 cm/103 yr at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain and at the Iberian Abyssal Plain, respectively. Sediment mixing, determined through 210Pb/226Ra radionuclides, occurs in the upper 5-7 cm sediment layer likely due to meio- and macrofauna activity. Biodiffusion coefficients, of 0.14 and 0.16 cm2/yr, were similar in sediments at both abyssal plains. Results from analyses of these sediment cores are compared with available data from the literature to compute average sediment deposition and bioturbation rates for these NE Atlantic basins.

Contact author: Fernando P. Carvalho, Instituto Tecnolgico e Nuclear, Departamento de Proteco Radiolgica e Segurana Nuclear E.N. 10, 2686-953 [tel: +351219946332, fax: +351219941995, e-mail: carvalho@itn.pt]

E15 - Poster

Fish assemblages, sensitive deepwater habitats and fishing activity in the Rockall Trough, NE Atlantic
Francis Neat

The Rockall Trough is a deep water ecosystem flanked on one side by the European continental shelf slope and the other by the Rockall plateau. The trough is punctuated by several seamounts that rise more than 1000 metres above the seafloor (the Anton Dohrn and Hebridean Terrace Seamounts and Rosemary Bank). The Rockall plateau, the shelf slope and the seamounts have been targeted by commercial fishing and concern has been raised over the impact fishing is having on the sensitive deep water habitats (such as the cold water coral, Lophelia pertusa) that have been recently confirmed in the region. As such the area has become a focus of marine conservation with some areas on the Rockall plateau already closed to bottom fishing. FRS undertakes annual multidisciplinary fisheries surveys of the Rockall plateau, the shelf slope and the seamounts. Here data from these surveys are drawn upon to compare the fish communities on Rockall, the seamounts and the adjacent shelf slop e and infer areas where hard and soft corals are

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likely to be present. The extent of fishing activity in the region is estimated using vessel monitoring system (VMS) data. These different sources of information are combined with physical data and seabed topography in a GIS frame-work for developing a tool for offshore marine spatial planning.

Contact author: Francis Neat, Fisheries Research Services, Marine Laboratory 375 Victoria Road Aberdeen AB11 9DB [tel: 44 (0) 1224 295516, e-mail: f.neat@marlab.ac.uk]

E17 - Poster

Geo-environmental constrains in relation to deep sea ecosystems in Hatton Bank (NE Atlantic Ocean): morphodynamic drivers
M. Sayago-Gil, P. Durn-Muoz, V. Daz-del-Ro and L. M. Fernndez-Salas

The Spanish interdisciplinary research project ECOVUL/ARPA is focused on the identification of vulnerable ecosystems in Hatton Bank (Hatton-Rockall Plateau, NE Atlantic Ocean). This scientific contribution is based on data (multibeam bathymetry and seismic profiles) collected by Instituto Espaol de Oceanografa and British Geological Survey. The study area is located on the western slope of Hatton Bank between 600 and 2000 m water depth and it covers an area of about 18,800 Km2. The knowledge of the deep-sea habitats is one of the key-factors to identify vulnerable marine ecosystems and to meet management objectives for the marine environment in the high-seas. In this sense, this work is focused on the description of the main sea bed features of the western slope of Hatton Bank. Four groups of morphologies have been described: erosive features (e.g. furrows, channels), depositional features (e.g. wave fields, ponded of sediments), structural morphologies (e.g. ridges, scarps) and mixed features (e.g. moats, slides). The direction of the main bottom currents is SW-NE in the western slope of Hatton Bank and it changes the direction to W-E in the northern part, contouring the bank and modelling the sea bed surface. The oceanographic regime plays a main role on the formation of the bottom morphologies as well as in the settlement of different related benthic communities.
Contact author: Miriam Sayago-Gil, Instituto Espaol de Oceanografa, Centro Oceanogrfico de Mlaga, Puerto Pesquero, s/n, Apdo.285, 29640 Fuengirola (Mlaga), Spain [tel: (+34) 952.476.955, fax: (+34) 952.463.808, e-mail: miriam.sayago@ma.ieo.es]

E18 - Poster

Reproductive biology of pink dentex, Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque, 1810), from the northeast Atlantic (Madeira Archipelago) using a histology techniqueAdriana
Alves, Graa Faria, Ana Rita Gis, Rui Reis and Sofia Vieira

The pink dentex Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque, 1810) is a bottom dwelling marine fish associated with a variety of temperate to subtropical habitats and an important commercial fish species from Madeira Archipelago. A six-stage maturity, based on macroscopic characteristic was used to classify the gonads. The features used to identify the maturity stages were: the degree of opacity, consistence and vascularization, oocytes or sperm visibility and gonad coloration. In order to validate the macroscopic scale a microscopic histological analysis was performed. An 11-year study (May 1997-December 2008) of the reproductive

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biology of pink dentex Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque) from the Madeira archipelago revealed that this species is a hermaphrodite. The smallest mature male and female captured were 35.3 cm and 30.1 cm in furcal length (FL) respectively. The annual changes in the gonads, together with the analysis of the monthly gonadosomatic indices, and complementary observations with histology technique according to Ramos (1986), allow us to conclude that the spawning period takes place during spring months with a peak in May in Madeira.
Contact author: Adriana Alves, Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Recursos Naturais, Estrada da Pontinha 9004-562 Funchal Madeira-Portugal [tel: +351 291203200, e-mail: adrianaalves1020@gmail.com]

E19 - Poster

Age and growth of pink dentex, Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque, 1810), caught in Madeira Archipelago
Adriana Alves and Joana Vasconcelos

The pink dentex, Dentex gibbosus Rafinesque, 1810, are a bottom dwelling marine fishes associated with a variety of temperate to subtropical. This species has a considerably commercial interest in Madeira archipelago. Between April 2004 and December 2007, 153 pairs of otoliths were collected to determine the age and growth of pink dentex from the Madeira archipelago. The smallest male and female captured were 19.8 cm and 20.1 cm in furcal length (FL) respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated for the whole period studied for all fish were: L=122.5, K=0.083 and t0=0.46. The relationship between length and weight was calculated for all fish, males and females. An interesting study in this line of work would be the growth of young specimen in captivity, since their capture in the fishery is limited, caused by the selectivity of the fishing gear.
Contact author: Adriana Alves, Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Recursos Naturais, Estrada da Pontinha 9004-562 Funchal Madeira-Portugal [tel: +351 291203200, e-mail: adrianaalves1020@gmail.com]

E23 - Poster

Black Scabbard Fish (Aphanopus carbo) fishery in the Azores: finding the unknown through observers data
Miguel Machete

Black Scabbard Fish (Aphanopus carbo) has been increasingly targeted in the North Atlantic by the Portuguese and French trawlling fleet for the last twenty years. Despite the insufficient and inconclusive information about the species and population dynamics, some indicators suggest a decline in typical fishing grounds such as Madeira, and ICES V, VI and VII areas. The Azores is one of the areas in the Atlantic where deep sea fishing is practiced traditionally for centuries, and its recent increase in effort has levered the need for alternative target-species, such as the Black Scabbardfish. After the initial fishing experiment (1990) at least one fishing boat has experimentally targeted the species every year. This fishery has been monitored in the past ten years by the Azores Fisheries Observer Program (POPA), as part of a governmental/ research effort to promote resource management. This is one of the very few systematic studies on the

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black scabbardfish fishery, and the first for midatlantic ridge waters around the wider Azores area (MIDAR). Here, we present a gear and fishing operation characterization, CPUES and size compositions, and explore their relationships with physical variables such as geographical area and depth.
Contact author: Miguel Machete, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas (DOP) Universidade dos Aores, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: 00351 292200433, fax: 00351 292200411, e-mail: miguel@uac.pt]

E25 - Poster

Knowing the Condor seamount live: best techniques to age common mora (Mora moro) and bulls-eye (Epigonus telescopus)
Ana Rita Vieira, Ivone Figueiredo and Gui Menezes

Seamounts, undersea mountains rising from the seafloor and peaking below sea level, are considered hotspots of marine life in the open ocean. Fisheries in these areas commonly exhibit a boom and bust sequence, crashing within about ten years of their initial development. The species targeted by fisheries at seamounts show low levels of abundance and aggregation patterns around seamounts as part of their life cycle. They are often long-lived, slow growing, late maturing and have low reproductive potential. The Condor is a seamount localized at about 10 nautical miles to southwest of Faial Island. It has two summits, and an east-west orientation with an approximate extension of 14 nautical miles. This seamount is the study object of the CONDOR project (EEA funded). This project seeks for the establishment of an underwater observation station at the seamount thus constituting the first seamount observatory of its kind in the world. CONDOR project comprise the development of several research scientific disciplines, including the growth of fishes. The aims of this study are to select the most appropriate technique of otolith preparation for each of two deep-water species Mora moro and Epigonus telescopus, both with commercial importance The following otolith preparation techniques will be tested: polishing; burn and break; break and burn; and sectioning. The most appropriate technique will be chosen taken into consideration the facility in the observation of growth increment and hence the precision on the ages assigned. This will be the first growth study of this poorly known deep-water species.
Contact author: Ana Rita S. Vieira, Instituto de Investigao das Pescas e do Mar (INRB, L-IPIMAR), Avenida de Braslia, 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal [tel: +351 213027108, fax: +351 213015948, e-mail: ana.vieira83@gmail.com]

E27 - Poster

Constraining the geomorphological setting of deep-sea biotopes using high resolution bathymetry at the Condor de Terra seamount
Fernando Tempera, Andreia Henriques, Filipe Porteiro, Ana Colao and Gui Menezes

Condor de Terra is a seamount located 12 nm to the SW of Faial Island (Azores, NE Atlantic) that has been a traditional fishing ground exploited by bottom longline and hand-line. Given its typical seamount geomorphology, confirmed cold-water coral assemblages and accessibility from IMAR/DOP-UAz, the area is currently the focus of three complementary seamount characterization and monitoring research projects (CORALFISH, CORAZON and CONDOR). Surveys of the seafloor types and associated biological

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assemblages present in the area started in 2006 with drop-down camera transects executed during the Defending our Oceans Greenpeace expedition. The planated summit exhibited collections of well-rounded boulders and was dominated by dense gorgonian stands typified by Viminella flagellum and Dentomuricea sp. The images obtained over the slopes prevailingly showed sediments that were generally devoid of tall habitat-building organisms. In 2008, new multibeam data were acquired for the area by the Portuguese Task Force for the Extension of the Continental Shelf and one dive was conducted at the eastern end of the seamount with the new 6000m-rated ROV Luso. This poster presents a preliminary habitat and biotope inventory for Condor de Terra seamount that brings together the multibeam data with the geo-referenced geological and biological features identified on the video surveys. The occurrence of well-preserved examples of coral gardens and deep-sea sponge aggregations (two biotopes of conservation importance under the OSPAR Convention) is recorded and suitably illustrated. The new information (i) resolves the topography of the seamount in unprecedented detail, (ii) clarifies which physiographical features had actually been surveyed by the 2006 video transects and (iii) increases the understanding of the geomorphological associations of biotopes. This knowledge is instrumental to design the comprehensive surveys that are planned for the area in the scope of the ongoing projects.
Contact author: Fernando Tempera, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas (DOP) Universidade dos Aores, 9901862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351 292 200400, e-mail: tempera@uac.pt]

E29 - Poster

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of the genetic structure of Portuguese dogfish Centroscymnus coelolepis and leafscale gulper shark Centrophorus squamosus along the NE Atlantic
Teresa Moura, Leonel S. Gordo and Ivone Figueiredo

The Portuguese dogfish Centroscymnus coelolepis and the leafscale gulper shark Centrophorus squamosus are two deepwater sharks highly exploited by the deepwater fishing fleets operating in the NE Atlantic. Studies on both species have been inconclusive in what matters the population structure and their dynamics in the NE Atlantic so far and, for management purposes a single assessment unit for the Northeast Atlantic has been adopted. However, trends in the abundance of both species are different when comparing the north and south component of the ICES area: catch per unit of effort (CPUE) in the west of British Isles displayed strong downward trends while in the Portuguese mainland slope (division IXa), CPUE series are apparently stable. The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis of existence of local populations of C. coelolepis and C. squamosus in the NE Atlantic using fast evolving non-coding molecular markers. In the present communication the level of differentiation among specimens caught in different geographical areas in the NE Atlantic will be evaluated through the analysis of the control region of the mitochondrial DNA.
Contact author: Teresa Moura, Unidade de Recursos Marinhos e Sustentabilidade, IPIMAR, Av. Brasilia, 1449-006 Lisboa Portugal [tel: +351213027131, e-mail: tmoura@ipimar.pt]

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E37 Poster

Recruitment of Pagellus bogaraveo of the azores (ICES XA2): habitat and pressures
Joana Carvalho, Hugo Diogo, Joo Pereira and Mrio Pinho

Black spot sea bream (Pagellus boragaveo) is the most important commercial species from the Azorean demersal fishery. The state of the stock is considered uncertain and there are some concerns about the sustainability of the stock due to the spatial nature of the Azorean ecosystem which suggests the occurrence of metapopulations. However, the population dynamic of the species on this ecosystem is not yet very well understood. To address this problem the present work attempted to describe the habitat mapping of the recruitment (juveniles age zero) of this species. Pressure effects from the fisheries on the recruitment are also described. Data from the Azorean Observer Program (POPA) and data from the recreational fishery survey on Pico and Faial islands were used. Additional data from the Azorean Spring Long Line Survey and from National Data Collection Regulation (DCR) were used to identify the spawning period. Results suggested that Recruitment (juveniles of age 0) appears only on the coastal areas of the islands. They are observed on the inshore areas during almost during all the year (February-December), suggesting a sock-recruitment relationship between coastal areas and banks/seamounts. Pressures identified on this stock component come from tuna fishery (bait fishing) and recreational fishery (rod and reel shore fishing). Implications for the assessment and management of the resource are discussed.
Contact author: Joana Ferreira de Carvalho, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas (DOP) Universidade dos Aores, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351917470770, e-mail: joanacarvalho@uac.pt]

E38 - Poster

Vulnerable habitats and threatened species distribution of El Cachucho deep sea MPA
A. Serrano, F. Snchez, J.E. Cartes, S. Parra, M. Gmez-Ballesteros, I. Preciado and I. Frutos

El Cachucho (Le Danois Bank) is a marginal shelf located in the north coast of Spain. The top of the bank is an almost flat surface, slightly sloped to the coast, with a depth of 450 m, separated of the continental shelf by a deeper marginal basin (850 m). Increases in production as a consequence of topographic effects produced an increase in planktonic and suprabenthic communities, and as a consequence in planktonfeeder, suprabenthic-feeder and filter-feeder species as corals, gorgonians, and large sponges. For all these reasons, this exceptional ecosystem has been declared the first offshore Spanish MPA. Ecologic values of the area have been typified following OSPAR and Natura 2000 Net criteria. In the present study spatial distribution of vulnerable habitats is described. In the bank the following habitats have been found in OSPAR terms: Coral Gardens, Deep-sea sponge aggregations, Sea-pen and burrowing megafauna communities. Nevertheless, Natura 20 00 Net groups all these habitats in only one, the habitat 1170 Reefs. Distribution of vulnerable species in those habitats according to OSPAR is analysed: the shark Centroscymnus coelolepis, the skates Dipturus batis and Raja clavata, and the orange roughy Hoplostethus atlanticus. Hotspots of diversity related to those habitats are also described.
Contact author: Alberto Serrano, Instituto Espaol de Oceanografa, Centro Oceanogrfico de Santander Promontorio de San Martn s/n 39004, Santander, Espaa [tel: (34) 942 291060, fax: (34) 942 275072 , e-mail: aserrano@st.ieo.es]

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E44 - Poster

Aspects of the biology of deepwater squalid sharks in the Rockall Trough

Emma G. Jones, Helen Dobby, Lynda Allan, Francis Neat and Finlay Burns

Since the early 1990s the deepwater shelf edge habitat west of the British Isles has been targeted by commercial fishers. A significant component of the catch is made up of of chondrichthyans, some of which are landed, others discarded. Chondrichthyans are particularly sensitive to harvesting levels because of slow growth rates, high longevity and low fecundity. However, detailed knowledge of many deepwater species is still lacking, especially in the context of temporal variation. In this study, the population size structure and reproductive biology of 6 deepwater squalid shark species was examined from trawl survey catches carried out annually by FRS during 2004 - 2008. The results are presented and the relative vulnerability of the different species discussed.
Contact author: Emma Jones, Fisheries Research Services, Marine Laboratory, P.O. Box 101, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB, Scotland [tel: +64 9 375 2056, e-mail: e.jones@niwa.co.nz]

E48 - Poster

The status of chondricthyes species in deep waters of the Cantabrian Sea

C. Rodrguez-Cabello, F. Snchez, A. Serrano and A. Punzn

Data collected during bottom trawl surveys carried out in the Cantabrian Sea (southern area of Bay of Biscay) from 1999 to 2008 were used to describe the distribution and abundance of some chondricthyes species found in the area at depths from 200 m to 1000 m. A total of 20 species were recorded, 3 of them only in the recently established MPA of Le Danois Bank. The most abundant species considering the whole area and within this depth range were Galeus melastomus and Etmopterus spinax. Some species, like Galeus melastomus or Scyliorhinus canicula, showed evidence of an ontogenetic segregation with depth, in other species unequal sex ratios were common. The depth range and size distribution are discussed and compared to other areas.
Contact author: Cristina Rodrguez-Cabello Rdenas, Instituto Espaol de Oceanografa, Promontorio San Martn s/n, P.O. Box 240, 39080 Santander, Spain [tel: 003494229106, fax: 0034942275072, e-mail: c.cabello@st.ieo.es]

E49 - Poster

Azorean Deep-Water Corals Communities as perceived from bottom Long Line Fisheries Surveys

ris Sampaio, Filipe Porteiro, Andreia Braga-Henriques, Diana Catarino, Valentina Matos and scar Ocaa Cold-water coral are amongst the most important deep-water communities for conservation. Because of its very low resilience and high levels of diversity, these communities are very sensitive and vulnerable to human activities. Fisheries constitute the main threats they face. Bottom-trawling is considered the most

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disturbing fishing technique, but it is forbidden in the Azores region, where only bottom long-lines are used. Since 2007 four demersal fishing surveys took place on the Azores region: ARQDAO-27-P07, DEECON-28-V07, ARQDAO-29-P08 and DEECON-30-V08. These represented an opportunity to study the by-caught fauna from bottom-long line fisheries in islands slopes and offshore seamounts. Corals, hydrozoans, sponges and bryozoans form the bulk of the material sampled but the associated fauna is also important. A total of seventy-seven fishing sets were carried out between Corvo Island (3939N) and the Great Meteor complex (3006N) from 27 to 1990 m depth. During the four surveys 168 specimens of deepwater corals from 41 taxa were caught. Octocoralls were the most representative group with 22 species, being the Plexauridae and the Primnoidae the most common families with 7 and 3 species respectively. These soft corals were followed by the stony corals Scleractinia represented by 9 species, black corals (Antipatharia) with 5 species and hydrocorals (Filifera), represented by 3 species. With this study we aim to make a preliminary evaluation of the impact of bottom-long line in the cold-water communities in the Azores region, throughout an extended depth range. This information will be used also to validate the data obtained from a previous land-base study on by-catch of commercial long-line fisheries.
Contact author: ris Raquel Ferreira Sampaio da Costa, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas (DOP) Universidade dos Aores, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351 917917560, e-mail: irissampaio@uac.pt]

E51 - Poster

Estimating the biomass and fishing potential of the shrimp Plesionika edwardsii (Brandt, 1851) off the Azores
Eduardo Isidro, Mrio Pinho, Octvio Melo, Ana Santos, Jos I. Santana, Igncio J. Lozano and PESCPROF Consortium

The shrimp Plesionika edwardsii has been considered a local potential fishing resource, but little was known about its distribution and abundance. Using data collected mainly in a couple of experimental fishing cruises, specifically designed for prospecting this resource and perform a depletion study around the Faial island, a first estimate of the biomass and fishing potential of the species was obtained. The results suggest that although the fishing yields are compatible with the development of a commercial fishery, the existing exploitable biomass is low and the resource highly sensitive to exploitation. So, the fishery targeting P. edwardsii should be cautiously developed in the Azores archipelago.
Contact author: Eduardo Jos L. F. Isidro, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas (DOP) Universidade dos Aores, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351 292 200 400, fax: +351 292 200 411, e-mail: eduardo@uac.pt]

E53 - Poster

Molecular phylogeny of skates and rays how close are coastal and deep-water species?
Brbara Serra-Pereira, Teresa Moura, Leonel Serrano Gordo and Ivone Figueiredo

The Rajidae is one of the most diverse families within elasmobranchs, comprising more than 220 living species that occupy a large variety of habitats from shallow to deep water. Even the coastal species that are dependent of specific habitats near shore to complete their life cycles, make small migrations to waters below

93

the 200 m. For example, recent results from IPIMAR showed that even typical coastal species described for the Portuguese coast can be found at 700 m, a depth deeper than the maximum previously considered in the literature (300 m). This study will assess the genetic diversity and the phylogenetic relationships of both coastal species (Leucoraja naevus, Raja brachyura, R. clavata, R. maderensis, R. miraletus, R. microocellata, R. montagui and R. undulata) and deep-water species (Dipturus oxyrhinchus, L. circularis, Neoraja iberica and Rostroraja alba). Samples collected during the IPIMARs yearly research surveys carried out along the Portuguese coast will be used. The cytochrome oxidase subunit genes I (COI) will be used as the genetic marker. Sequencing results will be statistically analysed using adequate software.
Contact author: Brbara Serra-Pereira, Unidade de Recursos Marinhos e Sustentabilidade, Instituto de Investigao das Pescas e do Mar (INRB, L-IPIMAR, I.P.), Av. Braslia, 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal [tel: +351 213027108, fax: +351 213015948, e-mail: bpereira@ipimar.pt]

E55 - Poster

Deep-sea fish assemblages in the Eastern Norwegian Sea, and their vulnerability to fisheries
Ole Thomas Albert, Elvar Hallfredsson, Benjamin Planque, ge Hines and Tone Vollen

Deep-sea fish species inhabiting the continental slope and the Norwegian deep show great variability in distribution and abundance. Bearing in mind anticipated changes in habitat in relation to possible climate changes the aim here is to study the history of this variability, as well as to map the current situation to enable future monitoring. Based on mesopelagic surveys in the deep Norwegian Sea and bottom trawl surveys along the eastern continental slope and deeper shelf areas, the paper identifies major fish communities, and describes their compositions in terms of species based and size based community indicators. Species assemblages are identified and related to spatial gradients, depth and temperature using cluster and correspondence analysis. The vulnerability of individual assemblages to direct and indirect exploitation is assessed relative to the occurrence of red-list species and on the basic life history traits of the component populations.
Contact author: Ole Thomas Albert, Institute of Marine Research PO box 6404 9294 Troms, Norway [tel: +47 99626002, e-mail: oleta@imr.no]

E56 - Poster

Association between Callogorgia verticillata (Primnoidae, Anthozoa) and an epizoan zoanthid anemone in the Azores Region
M. Carreiro-Silva, A. Braga-Henriques, F. Porteiro, I. Sampaio, V. Matos and O. Ocaa

The gorgonian Callogorgia verticillata is a common by-catch species from bottom long-line fisheries in the Azores region. We analysed 29 C. verticillata colonies collected at depths between 168-600 m from 12 different locations in the Azores. Epizoan zoanthid anemones were commonly observed attached to C. verticillata colonies, often covering 10-30% of the colony in high density clusters. This anemone has been identified as Epizoanthus sp. Although more than 55 species of gorgonians have been recorded in the Azores, to date this anemone has only been observed attached to C. verticillata suggesting host specificity. The general morphology, anatomy and other observations related to the positioning of the anemones on the gorgonians is presented. The nature of the

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relationship was investigated through histological analysis of the gorgonian and anemone tissues. A potential relationship between C. verticillata colonization and fisheries damage is discussed.
Contact author: Marina Carreiro Silva, Universidade dos Aores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351 292 200 457, fax: +351 292200411, mcsilva@uac.pt]

E60 - Poster

The association of the gastropod Pedicularia sicula (Caenogastropoda: Ovulidae) with the hydrocoral Errina dabneyi in the Azores
Andreia Braga-Henriques, Marina Carreiro-Silva, Filipe Porteiro, Valentina Matos, ris Sampaio, Oscar Ocaa and Srgio vila

The Azores region harbours the richest stylasterid fauna in the Northeast Atlantic area, comprising 10 deepwater species. By-catch data from the local long-line fishery shows that Errina dabneyi is the most common hydrocoral in the region. Although previous studies reported the occurrence of the genus Pedicularia associated with E. dabneyi, most of them were based on traces, and no identification to the species level was given. This study identifies for the first time the species P. sicula as the symbiont gastropod associated with E. dabneyi. The studied material was collected in the Azores EEZ at depths between 200 and 1100 m. The number of E. dabneyi specimens colonized by P. sicula, and the density of gastropods in each colony was estimated. Shell and scar morphology of P. sicula was characterized through scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations. We also tested the correlation between the abundance of P. sicula on the host hydrocoral and bathymetric and geographic distribution of E. dabneyi.
Contact author: Andreia Braga-Henriques, Universidade dos Aores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351 292 200 426, fax: +351 292200411, e-mail: andreiahenriques@uac.pt]

E63 - Poster

Description of a new species of Leiopathes (Antipatharia, Leiopathidae) from the NE Atlantic

Valentina Matos, Andreia Braga-Henriques, Marina Carreiro-Silva Filipe Porteiro, ris Sampaio, Oscar Ocaa

Two species of Leiopathes are known to occur in the NE Atlantic. L. glaberrima (Esper, 1788) was described based on a specimen from the Mediterranean Sea but was later found in the Eastern Atlantic, while L. expansa Johnson (1899) was described based on a specimen collected in the Madeira Archipelago. The Azores harbour a rich fauna of black corals (Antipatharia) that has been studied during the last years in the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries. This study analysed the antipatharian bycatch from the long-line fisheries in the Azores Archipelago and revealed that although L. glaberrima and L. expansa occur in the Azores an undescribed species of Leiopathes is the most abundant of the three. The description of the new species was based on 15 complete colonies and several fragments collected in the Azores Archipelago between 1985 and 2008 during scientific expeditions or by the local fisherman (bycatch). The spines were described using SEM microscopy. This species is characterized by a thicker ramification and

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smaller branchlets and polyps than L. glaberrima but less thick ramification and bigger branchlets and polyps than L. expansa. The spines are unadorned, as in the other two species, but exhibit differences in both shape and size.
Contact author: Valentina Kirienko Fernandes de Matos, Universidade dos Aores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351 965856833, e-mail: valkfm@gmail.com]

E66 - Poster

CONDOR - Observatory for long-term study and monitoring of Azorean seamount ecosystems
Eva Giacomello and Gui Menezes

Seamounts are ubiquitous topographic features in the worlds ocean. They play an important role in patterns of marine biogeography and oceanography and they support high biodiversity and special biological communities. For all these reasons, they are very important for fisheries, biodiversity and conservation. Despite this, knowledge on seamount biodiversity and ecosystem functioning still remains scanty. Seamount ecosystems are considered to be extremely important in the Azores archipelago, not only at the biological level but also at the economic and, indirectly, at the social level. In the Azorean region, it has been estimated that more than 60% of the demersal and deep-water fisheries are conducted on seamount-like features. The CONDOR project aims to establish a permanent underwater observation station at the Condor Seamount, in the Azores. This seamount is close to ports and land-based facilities, and it is representative of the Azorean seamount ecosystems. The observatory will be used for monitoring and experimental purposes, adopting a multidisciplinary approach, supported by advanced technology. The CONDOR project will enhance the knowledge on the seamount ecosystem functioning, in view to strengthen the quality of the scientific approach in its management. Moreover, it will promote seamount research and the general public awareness on marine conservation, with the overall objective to contribute to the sustainable management of sea resources.
Contact author: Eva Giacomello, Universidade dos Aores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351292200400 , fax: +351 292200411 , e-mail: evagiacomello@uac.pt]

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Special Session
Linking Deep Sea Science to International Decisions: Vulnerable and Ecologically Significant Areas

Co-chairs: Jeff Ardron, Elizabeth McLanahan

Worldwide Review of Bottom Fisheries in the High Seas

Jessica Sanders, Alexis Bensch, Matthew Gianni, Dominique Grboval, Antonia Hjort and Merete Tandstad There are many challenges to achieving responsible management of deep-sea fisheries and conservation of marine biodiversity in the high seas such as insufficient or unavailable data, shortcomings in the current legal regime for the high seas, gaps in management bodies with sufficient mandates to manage these fisheries, and heightened complexity in compliance and enforcement regimes. These have been reviewed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the context of several expert meetings held in 2006 to 2008. The FAO International Guidelines which were adopted in August 2008 addressed most of these challenges, but the implementation of the guidance contained in that document will require sustained effort from the part of all stakeholders. In response to the paucity in data on deepsea fisheries in the high seas FAO also carried out a worldwide review of bottom fisheries in the high seas. This review was undertaken in 2007-2008 to establish a knowledge baseline, based on best available information, and to contribute to the implementation of the FAO International Guidelines. Fisheries in nine major oceanic regions occurring in areas beyond national jurisdictions and conducted using fishing gears that are likely to contact the sea floor during the course of the fishing operation were reviewed. Fisheries were described in terms of fleets, catch and effort, and main species caught, with due consideration being given to the location of fishing activities. The review found that in 2006, approximately 285 vessels were involved in high seas bottom fisheries, catching approximately 252 000 tonnes. This presentation will discuss the findings of the Worldwide Review of Bottom Fisheries in the High Seas and relate findings to the challenges faced in implementing the FAO International Guidelines. In addition to improved knowledge on these fisheries, it is indeed important to also use this knowledge to promote effective implementation of the FAO Guidelines and related best practices. FAO intends to continue its efforts in this field through its programme on responsible deep-sea fisheries in the high seas. Key elements of this programme will be presented and discussed.
Contact author: Jessica Sanders, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy [tel: +39 06 570 54610, fax: +39 06 570 56500, e-mail: Jessica.Sanders@fao.org]

Review of the implementation of the United Nations agreement to protect deep-sea ecosystems on the high seas: How well have high seas fishing nations performed?
Matthew Gianni The United Nations General Assembly, in 2006, adopted resolution 61/105 calling on high seas fishing nations and regional fisheries management organizations to protect deep-sea ecosystems from the adverse impacts of bottom fishing on the high seas. The resolution called on States and RFMOs, including the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) and the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), to conduct impact assessments of high seas bottom fishing activities, establish measures to prevent significant adverse impacts or else prohibit high seas bottom fishing, close areas where vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) such as deep-sea corals are known or likely to occur, and establish moveon rules to ensure that bottom fishing vessels cease fishing in an area where accidental encounters with VMEs occur. The resolution also calls on States and RFMOs to ensure the long-term sustainability of deep-sea fish stocks. The resolution was the culmination of several years of negotiation, represented a compromise between high seas fishing interests and those of other countries and set a deadline of 31

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December 2008 for the implementation of the resolutions provisions. In 2009, the UN GA will review the actions taken by States and RFMOs to implement the resolution. Over the past two years, substantial progress has been made by a number of States and RFMOs. However, NAFO and NEAFC, while they have closed some high seas areas to bottom fishing, have yet to fully implement the provisions of the UN GA resolution. The high seas bottom fisheries in the North Atlantic are the largest high seas bottom fisheries globally as measured by volume of catch, with European Community fleets responsible for some 80-90% of the reported catch. The UN GA resolution emphasizes the use of the best available scientific information to identify areas where vulnerable marine ecosystems are known or likely to occur, reinforced by a set of international guidelines for deep-sea fisheries on the high seas negotiated in 2008 under the auspices of the UN FAO. ICES has provided advice to NEAFC on vulnerable marine ecosystems in the North Atlantic. The presentation will address whether ICES advice to NEAFC has been sufficient and the extent to which NEAFC, NAFO and other RFMOs have acted on scientific advice to implement the resolution.
Contact author: Matthew Gianni, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, Cliostraat 29-2 1077 KB Amsterdam Netherllands [tel: +31 646 16 88 99, e-mail: matthewgianni@netscape.net]

Protecting Vulnerable Ecosystems in the Deep-Sea: Lessons from Habitat Conservation Efforts in the United States
Thomas F. Hourigan, Elizabeth English and Shannon Dionne The last five years have seen unprecedented international cooperation to address conservation of deepsea habitats on the high seas. The United Nations General Assembly has called for actions to sustainably manage fish stocks and protect vulnerable marine ecosystems from destructive fishing practices. In 2008, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization adopted International Guidelines for the Management of Deepsea Fisheries in the High Seas that are beginning to influence high-seas management efforts. Since 2006, the United States has taken far-reaching domestic actions, protecting nearly 1.8 million km2 of vulnerable benthic habitats from bottom-trawling in the Northeast Pacific and Bering Sea. Additional major efforts are underway in the U.S. Atlantic. This talk will review approaches that are emerging as U.S. best-practices to conserve vulnerable marine ecosystems in the deep sea including: Expanding area-based management actions to address multiple biogenic habitats over large geographic regions. Banning all bottom-contact gear from most named seamounts and major identified deep-sea coral habitats. Defining the footprint of bottom-trawl fisheries, in partnership with the fishing community, and preventing expansion of these fisheries into deeper waters until they can be surveyed to identify potentially-vulnerable habitats. Using fisheries observers and vessel monitoring systems to inform management and enforcement. Recognizing the value of relatively pristine areas for ecosystem function and science, as exemplified by new Marine National Monuments in the Pacific. The talk will discuss how these approaches compare to, and may inform, evolving criteria and approaches to address vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems on the high seas.
Contact author: Thomas Hourigan, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20850, USA [tel: 1-301-713-3459, fax: 1-301-785-5873, e-mail: Tom.Hourigan@noaa.gov]

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Predicting the distribution of framework-forming cold-water corals

Andrew J. Davies, John M. Guinotte and J. Murray Roberts Predictive modelling of species distributions is increasingly used in conservation, research and surveys. However, several limitations have restricted the utility of this approach in the deep sea. These range from issues with the accuracy of species presences, the lack of reliable absence data and the limited resolution of environmental datasets. We will show revised predictions for framework-forming Scleractinia at global and regional scales. These new habitat suitability maps attempt to address earlier limitations by taking advantage of new bathymetric data and by modifying how this data can be used to generate maps of the environmental conditions on the seafloor. These improved data are then used in a multiple model approach that aims to improve the reliability of predictions in the deep sea. Given the vulnerability of these ecosystems, it is becoming increasingly important that our predictions are both applicable and reliable at a range of spatial scales. This continual development of methodology is required before predictive modelling can mature into a useful conservation and management tool in the deep sea.
Contact author: Andrew Davies, Scottish Association for Marine Science, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA, UK [tel: 441 631 559 019, e-mail: andrew.davies@sams.ac.uk]

A Precautionary Framework for Minimizing Impacts From High Seas Fisheries On Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems
Peter J. Auster, Alex Rogers and Kristina Gjerde The 2006 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 61/105 [c]alls upon States to take action immediately, individually and through regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements, and consistent with the precautionary approach and ecosystem approaches, to sustainably manage fish stocks and protect vulnerable marine ecosystems, including seamounts, hydrothermal vents and cold water corals, from destructive fishing practices, recognizing the immense importance and value of deep sea ecosystems and the biodiversity they contain. Perhaps most importantly, the resolution requires that by 31 December 2008, States and regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs) regulate fisheries to prevent significant adverse impacts to areas designated as vulnerable marine ecosystems. To provide States and RFMOs with guidance for implementing the resolution, FAO sponsored an Expert Consultation in Bangkok, Thailand in September 2007 which resulted in a draft set of International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-Sea Fisheries in the High Seas. Here we describe a decision support diagram that was developed at the consultation to manage fisheries impacts to VMEs where information is limited and management decisions must be made in an adaptive fashion. The decision support diagram identifies the general types of questions, data, and alternative management pathways available to managers of fisheries taking place in areas with different levels of prior knowledge.
Contact author: Peter J. Auster, National Undersea Research Center and Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut at Avery Point, Groton, Connecticut 06340 USA [tel: 001-860-405-9121, fax: 001-860-445-2969, e-mail: peter.auster@uconn.edu]

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