- Universidade dos Açores
9901-862 Horta, Azores, Portugal - +351962416708
- Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Fisheries, Spatial Ecology, Cetaceans, Fish Biology, and 19 moreFisheries Management, Coral Reefs, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Marine Protected Areas, Marine and Fisheries Policy, Fish Ecology, Ecosystem Modelling, Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management, Climate Impacts to Fisheries, Traditional Fisheries, Marine Conservation Planning, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Biology, Climate Change, Biodiversity, Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Sustainability, and Epistemologyedit
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A molecular genetic analysis of Coris julis from different sites in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic and C. atlantica from the Cabo Verde Islands was applied to infer phylogenetic relationships between the taxa. More precisely, partial... more
A molecular genetic analysis of Coris julis from different sites in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic and C. atlantica from the Cabo Verde Islands was applied to infer phylogenetic relationships between the taxa. More precisely, partial 12S mitochondrial rDNA sequence data were used in maximum parsimony, neighbour-joining, and maximum likelihood analysis to generate phylogenetic trees. The polymorphism observed indicated an important differentiation between the C. atlantica and C. julis specimens and supported the existence of two different species.
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Fatty acid profiles of blubber have been shown previously to provide information on stock structure and sex differences. Generally the predominant blubber lipid of marine mammal species is triacylglycerol (fatty acids linked to glycerol)... more
Fatty acid profiles of blubber have been shown previously to provide information on stock structure and sex differences. Generally the predominant blubber lipid of marine mammal species is triacylglycerol (fatty acids linked to glycerol) and previous studies have focused on this lipid class. But in some species such as the sperm whales the predominant lipid is wax esters (fatty acids linked to fatty alcohols) although triacylglycerols are also present. In this study the fatty acids and fatty alcohols of these lipid classes were characterized and the fatty acid profiles compared in order to assess their potential to provide qualitative ecological data.Biopsy samples were obtained from 40 whales found in seas around the Azores achipelago during the period 2002–2003. The samples contained about 10% lipid of which 70% was wax ester and 11% triacylglycerol. The fatty acids of the triacylglycerols and wax esters were respectively approximately 19% and 16% saturated, 74% and 80% monounsatu...
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Fatty acid profiles were used to investigate aspects of bottlenose dolphin populations around the Azores archipelago. Biopsy samples were obtained from 70 dolphins during the period 2002–2004. No statistically significant differences in... more
Fatty acid profiles were used to investigate aspects of bottlenose dolphin populations around the Azores archipelago. Biopsy samples were obtained from 70 dolphins during the period 2002–2004. No statistically significant differences in profiles were found between different island groups, between sexes or between year of sampling. Thus no evidence was seen for island group fidelity, in contrast to bottlenose dolphins found around similar island groups such as the Hawaiian archipelago or the Bahamas. The findings are consistent with concurrent genetic and photo-identification studies on dolphins in the Azores.
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Recruitment of the temperate reef fish Coris julis was studied across the Azores Archipelago (central North Atlantic), over four consecutive recruitment seasons and at three spatial scales: between islands (separated by 100s of km), sites... more
Recruitment of the temperate reef fish Coris julis was studied across the Azores Archipelago (central North Atlantic), over four consecutive recruitment seasons and at three spatial scales: between islands (separated by 100s of km), sites within islands (separated by 10s of km) and transects within sites (separated by 10s of m). At the largest scale (i.e. between islands) spatial recruitment patterns were highly variable, suggesting the influence of stochastic processes. Recruitment was spatially consistent within islands, even though magnitude was unpredictable between years, indicating that processes at meso‐scales are probably more deterministic. Recruits settled randomly at the transect scale, probably reflecting habitat homogeneity. It was proposed that large and island‐scale patterns reflect larval availability, driven by physical and biological processes occurring in the plankton. No evidence was found for a density‐dependent relationship between newly settled and 2 week sett...
Research Interests: Biology, Coral Reefs, Ecology, Population Dynamics, Fish Biology, and 15 moreMedicine, Azores, North Atlantic, Atlantic Ocean, Animals, Density dependence, Coral Reef, Population Density, Fisheries Sciences, Archipelago, Perciformes, Biological Process, Coral Reef Fish, Oceanic Islands, and Cumulant
Seven coastal fish species are newly reported for the remote north Atlantic archipelago of the Azores: Mediterranean sand eel Gymnammodytes cicerelus, bar jack Caranx ruber, two-banded seabream Diplodus vulgaris, bastard grunt Pomadasys... more
Seven coastal fish species are newly reported for the remote north Atlantic archipelago of the Azores: Mediterranean sand eel Gymnammodytes cicerelus, bar jack Caranx ruber, two-banded seabream Diplodus vulgaris, bastard grunt Pomadasys incisus, unicorn leatherjacket filefish Aluterus scriptus and longspined porcupinefish Diodon holacanthus. The occurrence is also confirmed for 19 species that had been hitherto cited occasionally for the region, totalling a list of two elasmobranchs and 23 teleosts. Diplodus vulgaris, which appears to have recently colonized the islands, as well as roughtail stingray Dasyatis centroura and golden grey mullet Liza aurata, re-cited based on new records, are frequent or common coastal species in the Azores. The remaining 22 species, exceptional or rare in the region, are of tropical or subtropical affinity and find their northernmost distribution limit within the central and north-east Atlantic Ocean precisely in the Azores. This biogeographical pattern contrasts with that of the Azorean coastal fish community and suggests a tropicalization process in the region in line with previous findings of similar patterns across the north-east Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. These novel data from the most isolated archipelago of the North Atlantic Ocean, located in a biogeographic boundary area where colonization opportunities are reduced, reinforce the need for long-term monitoring programmes of coastal fish communities and, in particular, of indicator species groups to improve understanding of the effects of climate change on marine communities.
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Variation in beach seine catches was examined in two juvenile flatfish populations (Port Erin, Isle of Man and Porto Pirn, Azores) to determine the importance of diel cycles while controlling for tidal rhythmicity. At Port Erin sampling... more
Variation in beach seine catches was examined in two juvenile flatfish populations (Port Erin, Isle of Man and Porto Pirn, Azores) to determine the importance of diel cycles while controlling for tidal rhythmicity. At Port Erin sampling was undertaken at each low water on consecutive days over a 2‐week period in May/June and September 1991. There was no periodicity in the catches of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) in May/June, but in September catches were higher at night. Other flatfish species (Limanda limanda, Pleuronectes flesus, Scophthalmus maximus and S. rhombus) sampled at Port Erin were nocturnal. At Porto Pirn, Azores, fish were sampled over 24 h each month from July 1989 to June 1990 and at each low water over a 2‐week period in July 1991. The only flatfish species present was Bothuspodas, which had a diurnal pattern in catches over a 1‐year period. Sampling at low water in July gave high catches at both midnight and midday.
Research Interests: Zoology, Biology, Ecology, Fish Biology, FISH, and 6 moreFisheries Sciences, Fishery, Diel Vertical Migration, Flatfish, Juvenile, and Bay
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This study aims to improve our knowledge on the reproduction cycles of invertebrates from deep-sea hydrothermal vents, which is fragmentary to date, owing to the prohibitive costs of regular time series sampling required for a complete... more
This study aims to improve our knowledge on the reproduction cycles of invertebrates from deep-sea hydrothermal vents, which is fragmentary to date, owing to the prohibitive costs of regular time series sampling required for a complete assessment. However, new technologies ...
Research Interests: Reproductive Behaviour, Time Series, Biology, Ecology, Biological Sciences, and 14 moreEnvironmental Sciences, New Technology, Spermatogenesis, Methane, Marine invertebrates, Experimental, Reproductive cycle, Captivity, Hydrothermal Vent, Deep Sea, Mussel, Endosymbiont, Feeding System, and Methane oxidizing bacteria
... These were placed, in August 2002, over diffuse vent outlets on the Menez Gwen vent field (37°50.8′ N, 850 m depth) using the Victor 6000 ROV deployed from R/V L'Atalante. The cages were placed approximately 2 m apart.... more
... These were placed, in August 2002, over diffuse vent outlets on the Menez Gwen vent field (37°50.8′ N, 850 m depth) using the Victor 6000 ROV deployed from R/V L'Atalante. The cages were placed approximately 2 m apart. ...
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Mid-ocean ridges are vast features of all oceans but their fauna and ecological significance remain poorly understood. Ridge studies in recent decades were understandably biased in favour of the newly discovered chemosynthetic ecosystems.... more
Mid-ocean ridges are vast features of all oceans but their fauna and ecological significance remain poorly understood. Ridge studies in recent decades were understandably biased in favour of the newly discovered chemosynthetic ecosystems. Investigations of ...
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Page 1. Chapter 20 Management and conservation of seamounts P. Keith Probert, Sabine Christiansen, Kristina M. Gjerde, Susan Gubbay and Ricardo S. Santos Abstract This chapter highlights features of seamount ecosystems ...
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Causes of variation in mobilization of mercury into Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus chicks were studied through analysis of stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen. Blood and breast feathers were collected from chicks in... more
Causes of variation in mobilization of mercury into Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus chicks were studied through analysis of stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen. Blood and breast feathers were collected from chicks in coastal saltpans during ...
Research Interests: Earth Sciences, Biology, Stable Isotopes, Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, Biological Sciences, and 15 moreGE, Environmental Sciences, Isotopes, Mercury, Stable Isotope, Chironomidae, Nitrogen, Mobilization, Isotope, QL, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Prey Availability, Carbon Source, Breeding season, and temporal variation
Allozyme electrophoresis was used to investigate stock integrity of Patella aspera (= P. ulyssiponensis) and Patella candei (Mollusca, Patellogastropoda) from the Madeira Archipelago. Samples from the north of the island of Madeira (Porto... more
Allozyme electrophoresis was used to investigate stock integrity of Patella aspera (= P. ulyssiponensis) and Patella candei (Mollusca, Patellogastropoda) from the Madeira Archipelago. Samples from the north of the island of Madeira (Porto Moniz) and the north of Deserts Grande were taken for both species, and a sample of P. aspera was also taken from the south of the island
Research Interests: Genetics, Zoology, Geography, Biology, Surface Water, and 4 moreArchipelago, GC, Shellfish, and Allele Frequency
O objetivo do artigo é perceber as atitudes criativas e empreendedoras em regiões marítimas ultraperiféricas perante o desafio da Estratégia Marítima Europeia. A hipótese principal a ser testada é que, olhando para a procura crescente de... more
O objetivo do artigo é perceber as atitudes criativas e empreendedoras em regiões marítimas ultraperiféricas perante o desafio da Estratégia Marítima Europeia. A hipótese principal a ser testada é que, olhando para a procura crescente de recursos marinhos, a inovação pode ser vista como um fenómeno de procura de rendas não só ao longo do tempo, como é usualmente considerada numa perspetiva Schumpeteriana, mas também ao longo do espaço, onde a afetação ou apropriação de direitos de propriedade tem um efeito importante. Olhamos para as atitudes dos principais interessados pelos recursos marinhos na Horta face às mudanças de direitos de propriedade do mar implícitos na Estratégia Marítima Europeia. Concluímos que a inovação e o desenvolvimento em regiões ultraperiféricas estão fortemente relacionados com a influência que os empreendedores inovadores têm na redefinição dos direitos de propriedade e respetivas rendas dos recursos naturais.
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Between March and November 2000, 307 specimens of the lizardfish Synodus saurus (Linnaeus,1758) were captured on several coastal areas of Terceira Island, Azores. This species is an important coastal epibenthic predator. Although common,... more
Between March and November 2000, 307 specimens of the lizardfish Synodus saurus (Linnaeus,1758) were captured on several coastal areas of Terceira Island, Azores. This species is an important coastal epibenthic predator. Although common, its biology, namely its reproduction, is virtually unknown. During the study period, 206 females (155 mm to 460 mm TL) and 101 males (269 mm to 290 mm TL), were captured. Sex ratio was 2:1 with more males in June. Gonados-somatic Index (GSI) for females and males, attained its maximum values during Spring and Summer, showing that these are the most intensive reproduction periods. Hepato-somatic Index (HSI) suggests that this species may well recur on body reserves for energy metabolization in gonad development. Nevertheless, more studies are necessary in order to confirm this assumption. Ovarian histology, presenting different oocytarian phases, indicates that this species has an asynchronous posture. The male increment of June, associated to higher...
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An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
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Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Marine Biology, Biology, Ecology, and 15 moreMedicine, Heredity, Biodiversity Conservation, Mitochondrial DNA, Azores, Colonisation, Haplotypes, Atlantic Ocean, Animals, Archipelago, Perciformes, Genetic variation, Bayes Theorem, Genetic Markers, and Molecular Sequence Data
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In the Azorean rock-pool blenny ( Parablennius parvicornis ) reproductively active males display alternative morphotypes, which differ in the expression of secondary sexual characters (SSC). Males expressing SSC, the M+ morphotype, have... more
In the Azorean rock-pool blenny ( Parablennius parvicornis ) reproductively active males display alternative morphotypes, which differ in the expression of secondary sexual characters (SSC). Males expressing SSC, the M+ morphotype, have high androgen levels and compete for crevices that will be visited by females to spawn. M+ males holding nests court females and care for the eggs. Males with low expression of SSC, the M− morphotype, have low levels of androgens and reproduce by stealing fertilizations from the M+ males. Based on the hypothesis that androgens are immunosuppressive, we expected these morphotypes to differ in immunocompetence. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a field study in which we collected repeated blood samples to monitor leukocyte populations (blood smears), and to measure the primary antibody response of males that were experimentally challenged with a foreign non-pathogenic antigen (sheep red blood cells). Circulating levels of 11-ketotestosterone and te...
Research Interests: Biology, Biological Sciences, Male Reproduction Health, Animals, Blood sampling, and 15 moreAlternative Reproductive Tactics, Male, Androgens, Body Size, Field Study, Androgen, Lymphocytes, Immune Tolerance, Erythrocytes, Leukocytes, Haemagglutination, Immunocompetence, Antibody Response, Lymphocyte, and Medical and Health Sciences
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DNA sequence analysis confirms the distinction between Parablennius ruber and Parablennius gattorugine, simultaneously validating the presence of the former species in Western Europe where it has been reported for >150 years. A... more
DNA sequence analysis confirms the distinction between Parablennius ruber and Parablennius gattorugine, simultaneously validating the presence of the former species in Western Europe where it has been reported for >150 years. A possible scenario involving speciation of P. ruber at the Azores and subsequent transport of larvae to Europe, a process that may be still occurring nowadays, could explain this pattern of occurrence.
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The males of two blenniid species which exhibited alternative life history tactics and matured in their first year of life varied in size distribution within the age class and in behaviour. Salaria pavo were the smaller fish of the age... more
The males of two blenniid species which exhibited alternative life history tactics and matured in their first year of life varied in size distribution within the age class and in behaviour. Salaria pavo were the smaller fish of the age class and behaved as sneaker males whereas Parablennius sanguinolentus parvicornis were the larger fish and behaved as satellites.
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A survey of the tidal pool fish community was carried out between April 1998 and May 1999, at the beaches of Praia Vermelha (PV) and São Roque (SR), Santa Catarina, Brazil. The pool of PV was bigger and closer to the subtidal. Specimens... more
A survey of the tidal pool fish community was carried out between April 1998 and May 1999, at the beaches of Praia Vermelha (PV) and São Roque (SR), Santa Catarina, Brazil. The pool of PV was bigger and closer to the subtidal. Specimens were collected monthly at low tide, using quinaldine. In PV we collected 1287 fish belonging to 19 species and in SR 553 fish were caught corresponding to 11 species. In both pools, dominant species were Bathygobius soporator (Gobiidae), Abudefduf saxatilis (Pomacentridae), Parablennius pilicornis (Blenniidae), Gobiesox barbatulus (Gobiesocidae), Labrisomus nuchipinnis (Labrisomidae) and Epinephelus marginatus (Serranidae). Summer months had higher abundance and diversity values, and correspond to a recruitment season for both A. saxatilis and E. marginatus.
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Research Interests: Marine Biology, Oceanography, Economics, International Relations, Portuguese Studies, and 64 morePortuguese History, Marine Geology, Maritime History, Maritime Law, Strategic Studies, Marine Ecology, Atlantic World, Security, Portuguese Discoveries and Expansion, Marine Protected Areas, Security Studies, Portuguese Colonialism and Decolonizaton, Luso-Afro-Brazilian Studies, Marine Conservation, The Lusophone World, Luso-African Studies, MARINE POLLUTION, Marine Science, Marine biodiversity, History of the Portuguese Empire, Black Atlantic, Atlantic history, North Atlantic Ocean, Fish and Marine Ecology, Luso-Brazilian Studies, Maritime and Oceanic History, 14th and 15th centuries Portugal, Portugal (History), Atlantic Studies, Portugal, Strategy, Maritime Security, Lusofonia, Maritime, History of Lusophone Africa, Marine Insurance Law, Marine BioTechnology, Marine, Marine geology and geophysics, Marine Technology, Geografia de Portugal, Maritime Studies, North Atlantic Studies, Marine Sciences, Lusophone Studies, Marine Biology and Oceanography, História do Atlântico, Oceano Atlântico tropical, Lusophony, Geografia Humana (Portugal), Lusophone Africa, South Atlantic Defense and Security, South Western Atlantic Ocean, História de Portugal, South Atlantic Relations, Mundo Atlántico, Atlântico Sul, South Atlantic Quarterly, Oceano Atlantico, Marine Conservation Planning, Atlántico Sur, Atlántico, Atlântico Negro, and Strategic Studies of the Atlantic
Invisibly hidden under the waters, the deep sea has been considered to be the least affected habitat on Earth by human use. However, recently, the perception of the damage and its extent are coming to light. The ocean is recognisably... more
Invisibly hidden under the waters, the deep sea has been considered to be the least affected habitat on Earth by human use. However, recently, the perception of the damage and its extent are coming to light. The ocean is recognisably under threat due to a number of direct human activities, of which fishing industry and pollution are of major concern. Other emergent economic activities such as mining, the extraction of oil and gas, and the sequestration of CO2, should be evaluated beforehand to take into account the forecasting and mitigation of possible impacts.
These human activities migrated to the deep-sea, fisheries and waste deposit first, followed by oil and mineral exploitation. This is reflected in the growing number of species and habitats requiring conservation actions and the need for new management instruments for the deep ocean. In particular one has to take into consideration that the majority of these habitats and associated species are located on the high seas where the capacity for intervention and the legal basis either do not exist or may fall far short of what is needed (Probert et al., Seamounts: ecology, fisheries and conservation, 2007).
These human activities migrated to the deep-sea, fisheries and waste deposit first, followed by oil and mineral exploitation. This is reflected in the growing number of species and habitats requiring conservation actions and the need for new management instruments for the deep ocean. In particular one has to take into consideration that the majority of these habitats and associated species are located on the high seas where the capacity for intervention and the legal basis either do not exist or may fall far short of what is needed (Probert et al., Seamounts: ecology, fisheries and conservation, 2007).
The whale‐watching activity has been growing in the Azores during the last 15 years. To contribute to the sustainability and management of the activity it is crucial to monitor its influence on cetacean populations. This work aimed to... more
The whale‐watching activity has been growing in the Azores during the last 15 years. To contribute to the sustainability and management of the activity it is crucial to monitor its influence on cetacean populations. This work aimed to determine the sound produced by whale‐watching boats, in terms of frequencies and sound pressure levels (SPLs). Different types of boats were recorded between May and Sept. 2007 around the islands of Faial, Pico, and S. Miguel. Recordings were made with a hydrophone from a drifting platform. The whale‐watching boats carried out several tracks with different speeds and changed gear (forward/reverse). SPL values varied between 74 and 116 dB re 1 μPa (1/3 octave band level) for both outboard and inboard engines, without any obvious difference between the two. One inboard catamaran produced 106 dB re 1 μPa at 50 kHz (18 knots, 50 m distance), which is higher than all the other SPLs, at the same frequency. Forward/reverse maneuvers in inboard engines had lower frequencies but a longer duration than in outboard boats. Frequency range produced by the Azorean whale‐watching boats is wide and the way boats are maneuvered is important to minimize their impact on cetaceans. [Work was supported by Direcção Regional do Turismo do Governo Regional dos Açores and Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e do Mar do Governo Regional dos Açores.
Seamounts are hotspots of marine life in the Azores, acting as feeding stations for diverse top predators, including cetaceans. Long‐term monitoring of remote marine ecosystems is logistically difficult and expensive, involving high costs... more
Seamounts are hotspots of marine life in the Azores, acting as feeding stations for diverse top predators, including cetaceans. Long‐term monitoring of remote marine ecosystems is logistically difficult and expensive, involving high costs in terms of ship time and human resources, as well as being reliant on sea conditions. Passive acoustic methods are a highly efficient monitoring technique to study the distribution or abundance of vocalizing cetacean species. In 2007, we began to deploy Ecological Acoustic Recorders (EARs)—two shallow (35 m) and two deep (190 m) units—around seamounts to explore and monitor the occurrence of cetaceans, their temporal patterns, and changing levels of activity. A wide variety of time seriesacoustic signals were collected, revealing the presence of different species of cetaceans and specific associations between species, based on their vocalizationcharacteristics. Detections of vessels are being used to determine levels of activity at one of the study sites, Formigas bank marine reserve, making the EAR a useful tool to monitor protected areas. The EARs are an effective ecological instrument for monitoring cetaceans year‐round and will provide a better understanding of the influence of seamounts on cetaceans’ behavior.
The MORPH project (FP 7, 2012-2016) advances the novel concept of an underwater robotic system composed of a number of spatially separated mobile robot-modules, carrying complementary resources. Instead of being physically coupled, the... more
The MORPH project (FP 7, 2012-2016) advances the novel concept of an underwater robotic system composed of a number of spatially separated mobile robot-modules, carrying complementary resources. Instead of being physically coupled, the modules are connected via communication links that rely on the flow of information among them, i. e. inter-module interactions are enabled by underwater communication networks at distant and close ranges and supported by visual perception at very close range. Without rigid links, the MSV can reconfigure itself and adapt in response to the shape of the terrain, including walls with negative slope. The MORPH concept requires qualitatively new behaviors such as adaptive sensor placement for perception and navigation, as well as environmental modeling in complex environments. On site view planning will lead to a solution well beyond the operational state of the art for underwater cliff surveys and other similar missions. A final demonstration on a vertical cliff, unfeasible automatically with today's technology, will validate the efficacy of the methods developed at the end of the project.
The MORPH project (FP 7, 2012-2016) aims at the development of efficient methods and tools to map the underwater environment in situations that defy existing technology. Namely, missions that involve underwater surveying and marine... more
The MORPH project (FP 7, 2012-2016) aims at the development of efficient methods and tools to map the underwater environment in situations that defy existing technology. Namely, missions that involve underwater surveying and marine habitat mapping of rugged terrain and structures with full 3D complexity, including near-vertical cliffs. Potential applications include the study of cold water coral reefs or ecosystems in underwater canyons. For mapping purposes, the project advances the novel concept of an underwater robotic sensor carrier consisting of a number of spatially separated mobile robotic modules, each of them carrying complementary sensors. The modules are connected virtually via wireless communication links. Free from the constraints of rigid links, the modules can reconfigure themselves spatially and position their sensors optimally as a function of the shape of the terrain, which may include walls with a negative slope. In the scope of the project, a final demonstration on a vertical cliff will validate the efficacy of the methods developed.
Portugal holds jurisdiction, and exclusive economic rights, over a very large area of the seabed. One of the main national objectives, at the present time, is to increase the rather limited knowledge that exists on the resources that may... more
Portugal holds jurisdiction, and exclusive economic rights, over a very large area of the seabed. One of the main national objectives, at the present time, is to increase the rather limited knowledge that exists on the resources that may be contained herein.
Biological, oceanographic and geomorphologic data of the Azores were integrated into a Geographical Information System (GIS) in order to determine occurrence and spatial behavior of commercially-exploited coastal fishes in relation to... more
Biological, oceanographic and geomorphologic data of the Azores were integrated into a Geographical Information System (GIS) in order to determine occurrence and spatial behavior of commercially-exploited coastal fishes in relation to benthic habitats. Essential fish habitats (EFHs) are identified and the information is incorporated into decision making tools to design a network of coastal Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) at an island scale. The Azores are the most isolated archipelago in the North-Atlantic, characterized by complex geologic settings, a variety of marine habitats, diversity of marine life, scarcity of shallow waters and its remoteness. As a result the islands are of great nature conservation and marine biological interest. In the study area of Faial and Pico, two islands of the central group, different zones for environmental protection according to national/regional, Natura 2000 and OSPAR regulations were designated during the last two decades. Recently the Faial-Pico Channel was declared as Nature Park. MPAs gain importance as fisheries management tool and for the conservation of biodiversity. Ideally, core populations of the target species are protected in the boundaries of a MPA and it serves as refuge. Still, practical effort to design and manage marine reserves based on a multi-species approach is scarce. In order to support and refine the existing zoning schemes and to define new coastal MPAs different datasets are brought together in this study: 1) geomorphologic data, including depth, bottom type, slope and distance to e.g. nearest rock. The information is extracted from habitat maps derived by seafloor mapping with multibeam; 2) oceanographic data, based on average literature data for chlorophyll a, sea surface temperature, currents and swell; and 3) biological data: predicted fish abundances based on visual census from over ten years and patterns of spatial behavior obtained by passive and active acoustic underwater telemetry for important c- oastal commercial species. All information is visualized as layers in ArcGIS and for the first time GIS modelling of all available data combined in one approach is done. The aim is to develop comprehensive and clear maps that illustrate species distribution related to (a)biotic factors and are comprehendible for the public and policy makers. Areas fundamental for the long-term survival of fishes (i.e. spawning grounds) and thus for sustainable fishery are identified (EFH). First results are presented. In the next step decision making tools (software like MARXAN) will be applied to consider animal behaviour, environmental data and the needs of different stakeholders in one approach for the design of a MPA network in the Azores. Furthermore, the possibility of using advanced Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) technology to enhance acoustic telemetry and the study of marine animals is investigated: for a prolonged time certain electronic tags of animals are able to register and store data like (animal/water) temperature, depth and any biological information measurable via suitable, integrated sensors. Special equipped AUVs are a potential tool to download those data; so far only feasible if the tag can be retrieved. First tests for target tracking and exclusion of interference between AUV and telemetry equipment are promising (GREX project). Making this technology available in the future would give a unique opportunity to gain important information about spatial behavior of marine animals even when they are out of our range. Understanding the behavior and spatial use of endangered species will help us finding the best solution for their protection.
ESONET is a Multidisciplinary European Network of Excellence (NoE) associating 50 partners from 14 countries and more than 300 scientists and engineers. The goal of this NOE is the lasting integration of European research on deep sea... more
ESONET is a Multidisciplinary European Network of Excellence (NoE) associating 50 partners from 14 countries and more than 300 scientists and engineers. The goal of this NOE is the lasting integration of European research on deep sea multidisciplinary observatories. Over the first 4 years, the approach is to merge the programs of members organisations by managing marine research activities, addressing the common scientific objectives and by networking activities specially designed for Excellence integration and spreading. Amongst other actions, it works by establishing sea floor infrastructure that will provide platforms for instrumentation deployed throughout the water column and the geosphere below. Those platforms will provide power for instruments and real-time two-way data communications. Firstly, some "demonstration missions" have been selected in January 2008 and are presented here. Demonstration actions are bringing technology excellence at high level for different development phases, implementing the standardisation and interoperability of the different platforms from the consortium. By acquiring relevant time-series of multidisciplinary data, they will be an input for integrated studies, common workshops and a material support to implement a data management plan.
EXOCET/D was a three-year project that started in 2004 and that was funded by the European Commission (STREP, FP6-GOCE-CT-2003-505342). The general objective of this project was to develop, implement and test specific technologies aimed... more
EXOCET/D was a three-year project that started in 2004 and that was funded by the European Commission (STREP, FP6-GOCE-CT-2003-505342). The general objective of this project was to develop, implement and test specific technologies aimed at exploring, describing and quantifying biodiversity in deep-sea fragmented habitats as well as at identifying links between community structure and environmental dynamics. The MoMARETO cruise, held during the summer 2006, was the main demonstration action of EXOCET/D. After nearly 3 years of development, the project was a real success with the at sea trial and validation of 13 instrument prototypes developed for the study of deep-sea extreme habitats. These instruments were dedicated to quantitative imaging, in situ measurements, faunal sampling and in vivo experiments.
ESONET is an European network of excellence (NoE) associating 50 partners (research centres, universities, industrials and SMEs) from 14 countries: France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands,... more
ESONET is an European network of excellence (NoE) associating 50 partners (research centres, universities, industrials and SMEs) from 14 countries: France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria and Turkey. More than 300 scientists and engineers will participate to its activities. The goal of the ESONET NOE is the lasting integration of European research on deep sea multidisciplinary observatories. Over the initial 4 years, the approach will be to merge the programmes of members organisations through research activities addressing the scientific objectives and networking activities specially designed for integration and spreading excellence.
The general objective of EXOCET/D is to develop, implement and test specific instruments aimed at exploring, describing, quantifying and monitoring biodiversity in deep-sea fragmented habitats as well as at identifying links between... more
The general objective of EXOCET/D is to develop, implement and test specific instruments aimed at exploring, describing, quantifying and monitoring biodiversity in deep-sea fragmented habitats as well as at identifying links between community structure and environmental dynamics. Onboard experimental devices will complement the approach, enabling experiments on species physiology. The EXOCET/D working fields include: video and acoustic imagery, in situ analysis of physico-chemical factors, quantitative sampling of macroand micro-organisms, in vivo experiments, integration of multidisciplinary data, implementation on European deep-submersibles and a final phase of technical and scientific validation
The MOMAR region of the mid-Atlantic ridge is arguably one of the best sites for a submarine multidisciplinary observatory. The reasons for this include a unique geological setting, intense and varied hydrothermal activity and abundant... more
The MOMAR region of the mid-Atlantic ridge is arguably one of the best sites for a submarine multidisciplinary observatory. The reasons for this include a unique geological setting, intense and varied hydrothermal activity and abundant and dynamic ecosystems (hydrothermal and non-hydrothermal). From a logistics point of view, the region is also ideal, given proximity to the Azores islands. Additionally, there is ample Portuguese interest in developing the observatory as a major opportunity to foster international collaboration in deep-sea marine science. The observatory could contribute with major advances in a wide spectrum of scientific issues and to socially important objectives such as earthquake and volcanic eruption prediction and monitoring, to clarify environmental toxicity issues and to understanding resource (or possible future resource) systems including fisheries, mineral resources, biomolecules.
The key objective of the ASIMOV project is the development and integration of advanced technological systems to achieve coordinated operation of an Autonomous Surface Craft (ASC) and an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) while ensuring a... more
The key objective of the ASIMOV project is the development and integration of advanced technological systems to achieve coordinated operation of an Autonomous Surface Craft (ASC) and an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) while ensuring a fast communication link between the two vehicles. The ASC/AUV ensemble is being used to study the extent of shallow water hydrothermalism and to determine the patterns of community diversity at vents in the D. Joao de Castro (DJC) bank in the Azores