Key Demersal fish density data and hotspots, Adriatic Sea

The dataset provided by Panzeri et al. (2023) in the context of spatial fisheries management in the Adriatic Sea comprises: Ensemble Density Map: This dataset visualizes the distribution of various marine demersal species, both juveniles and adults, across the Mediterranean Sea. It quantifies the density of these species in each grid cell, represented by longitude and latitude, in terms of the number of individuals per square kilometer. Getis Hotspot Map: Built upon the ensemble density map, this dataset employs the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic to pinpoint significant clusters or 'hotspots' of fish aggregation. These hotspots are identified for each species and life stage, offering detailed insights into critical areas for fish concentration. Multispecies Hotspot Frequency Map: This map extends the hotspot analysis to a multispecies perspective. It represents the frequency of overlapping hotspots for different species, based on the number of species with significant hotspots above a defined threshold in each grid cell.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Original title Identifying priority areas for spatial management of mixed fisheries using ensemble of multi-species distribution models.
Original abstract Spatial fisheries management is widely used to reduce overfishing, rebuild stocks, and protect biodiversity. However, the effectiveness and optimization of spatial measures depend on accurately identifying ecologically meaningful areas, which can be difficult in mixed fisheries. To apply a method generally to a range of target species, we developed an ensemble of species distribution models (e-SDM) that combines general additive models, generalized linear mixed models, random forest, and gradient-boosting machine methods in a training and testing protocol. The e-SDM was used to integrate density indices from two scientific bottom trawl surveys with the geopositional data, relevant oceanographic variables from the three-dimensional physical-biogeochemical operational model, and fishing effort from the vessel monitoring system. The determined best distributions for juveniles and adults are used to determine hot spots of aggregation based on single or multiple target species. We applied e-SDM to juvenile and adult stages of 10 marine demersal species representing 60% of the total demersal landings in the central areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Using the e-SDM results, hot spots of aggregation and grounds potentially more selective were identified for each species and for the target species group of otter trawl and beam trawl fisheries. The results confirm the ecological appropriateness of existing fishery restriction areas and support the identification of locations for new spatial management measures.
Topic category
  • fishing
Sub category Demersal fisheries
Resource language English
Domain area
  • adriatic_sea
Owner OGS
Provider OGS
Data portal Zenodo
Presentation form Table
Spatial representation Raster (grid)
Coordinate reference system epsg:4326 - WGS84 (degree)
Web services Other
Derives from
Derived datasets
Successor of
Predecessor of
Temporal extent 1999-01-01
2021-12-31
Spatial extent
Data accessibility Publicly accessible
Validation level Research
Additional information Key commercial demersal species analyzed are: European hake (Merluccius merluccius, Merlucciidae) Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus, Nephropidae) Red mullet (Mullus barbatus, Mullidae) Blackbellied angler fish (Lophius budegassa, Lophiidae) European horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus, Carangidae) Shortfin squid (Illex coindetii, Ommastrephidae) Deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris, Penaeidae) Common sole (Solea solea, Soleidae), mantis shrimp (Squilla mantis, Squillidae) Common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis, Sepiidae)
Metadata completeness Complete
Notes

Additional info - MSP - Environment

Species, habitats, ecosystems, pressures

Field Value
MSFD Classes Species - Fish
MSFD Descriptors/Criteria
  • D3 Commercial fish and shellfish
  • D1C4 Population distributional range and pattern
  • D3C3 Population age/size distribution
Non MSFD Classes
    WFD

      Additional info - MSP - Oceanographic and CC

      Physics, biochemistry, EOV, ECV

      Field Value
      Variables

        Additional info - MSP - Conservation

        Protected areas, OECM, IBA, EBSA, CCH, IMMA, ...

        Field Value
        Types
          Zonation

          Additional info - MSP - Maritime activities

          Aquaculture, fishing, transport, energy, ...

          Field Value
          Activity types Professional fishing

          Additional info - MSP - Coastal & Land use and planning

          Land use, land cover, planning (strategic, coordination, operational)

          Field Value
          Types

            Additional info - MSP - Socio-economic

            Living and non-living resources, shipping, tourism, energy, ...

            Field Value
            Activity types Fisheries and Aquaculture - Marine fishing - A0311
            Value types
              Categories

                Additional info - MSP - Ecosystem Services

                Provisioning, regulation & maintenance, cultural

                Field Value
                CICES classes Provisioning (Biotic) - 1.1.6.1 Wild animals (terrestrial and aquatic) used for nutritional purposes

                Additional info - MSP - Legal, Governance & Planning

                Strategic, legislation, planning, administrative, enforcement

                Field Value
                Themes
                • Fisheries
                • Environment (e.g. pollution and biodiversity)
                Functions
                • Strategic - EU
                • Strategic - National
                • Strategic - Regional
                • Planning - EU
                • Planning - National
                • Planning - Regional
                • Administrative - National
                • Administrative - Regional
                Who is in charge?

                Additional info - MSP - Relevance

                Relevance of the dataset / resource in supporting the MSP process at different spatial scales and temporal frames

                Field Value
                Relevance (spatial and temporal)
                • International - present - Medium
                • International - future - High
                • National - present - High
                • National - future - High
                • Sub-area - present - High
                • Sub-area - future - High
                • Local - present - High
                • Local - future - High