Research vessel Vizconde de Eza. (Photo: MARM)

Spanish oceanographic vessel starts fisheries research in the Grand Banks of Newfoundland

SPAIN
Friday, May 25, 2018, 01:00 (GMT + 9)

The oceanographic vessel Vizconde de Eza, of the General Secretariat of Fisheries, will depart this Friday from the port of Vigo to participate in the fishing research surveys Platuxa, Flemish Cap and Black Fletán 3L, in the NAFO ​​Regulation area.

These surveys are aimed at the evaluation of demersal fishing resources of commercial interest for the Spanish fleet.

The work of the Platuxa 2018 survey will begin on June 1 and will continue until June 23, when the ship docks at the port of St. John’s, Canada.

After a week of crossing, the vessel is expected to arrive at the work area where it will begin its studies for the first part of the survey. The main objective is data collection that makes it possible to estimate the abundance, biomass and demographic structure of the populations of interest in the NAFO regulation area, divisions 3NO (international waters adjacent to the EEZ of Canada), up to a maximum depth of 1,500 metres.

These studies are intended to obtain data on catches, sizes, biological parametres, samples for growth and reproduction as well as trophic chain of species such as flounder, cod, halibut, redfish, dab, mendo and grenadiers, among others. In addition, the invertebrate communities present in the captures and characterization of physical-chemical water parametres will be analyzed.

This type of bottom trawling surveys are one of the main methods of direct study of the fishing populations studied, which derive from the need to obtain independent data of the fishing activity for the correct management of the fish populations.

Platuxa 2018 is the twenty-fourth edition of this survey, which has been developing continuously since 1995 at the proposal of the Spanish Administration, and it has been carried out with this vessel since 2001, with its entry into activity. The information obtained during this survey is used in the NAFO Scientific Council to evaluate fishery resources in the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.

As in other surveys, Platuxa 2018 is carried out with the scientific direction of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO).

The continuation of this historical series of surveys is fundamental at the community level in terms of fisheries and environmental management. With its development, the commitments acquired with the European Union through the National Basic Data Program are fulfilled.

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

Print