Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Spanish ship gauges local seafood resources

Some 16 scientists initiated the first assessment survey of seafood resources in El Salvador waters this Monday under the direction of the Spanish Oceanography Institute (IEO) of Spain.

The survey will be initiated aboard the research and oceanographic fisheries research vessel Miguel Oliver, property of the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) of Spain.

Spanish and Salvadoran scientists will carry out studies to estimate abundance indices of the geographic and bathymetric distribution per sex and size. They will target the main species of fish, crustaceans and molluscs in the platform and continental slope down to 1,000 metres in depth.

The objectives are to increase knowledge of the scientific composition of the fauna of depth of the Salvadoran platform, to evaluate the physical oceanographic conditions of the water column, and to carry out bathymetric and morphologic recognition of the marine bottom, MARM indicated.

During the survey – and with the aid of a multibeam sonar – the Miguel Oliver will survey 100 per cent of area bottoms every night. This will be followed up by casts with bottom trawling gear the next day.

The research is being developed within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation in fisheries matters signed in March 2006 between MARM and the El Salvador fisheries administration.

Meanwhile, scientists aboard the vessel Miguel Oliver just finalised the third annual assessment survey of demersal fauna in Panamanian waters.

Over 16 days, Spanish and Panamanian experts participated in studies to broaden the knowledge of localised fisheries resources between 100 and 500 metres in depth of the Pacific Ocean.

Source: fis.com/

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