By-catch of cold-water corals from an Experimental Trawl Survey in three seamounts within NAFO Regulatory Area (Divs. 6EFG) during year 2004

Abstract

By-catch of cold-water corals from a Trawl Experimental Survey developed during 2004 in three NAFO seamounts was examined. Three hauls were carried out over two peaks located in Divs. 6EF. In this area, catches of commercial resources were negligible and by-catch of corals was recorded (degraded pieces of dead Enallopsammia sp and Keratoisis sp and few alive corals like Solenosmilia variabilis, Metallogorgia melanotrichos, Paragorgia johnsoni, etc.), showing some interaction between fishing and vulnerable habitats and that trawl fishing in the area is unfeasible. Ninety-two hauls were carried out over one peak located in Div. 6G, with big catches of alfonsino (Beryx splendens), but only six hauls showing coral records (Enallopsamia rostrata, Solenosmilia variabilis, Madrepora oculata, Acanella eburnea and Placogorgia terceira) and in less quantities in comparison with Divs. 6EF. The low by-catch of corals in the Div. 6G peak could be related with their less rough bottom feature and with the previous alteration of sessile epifauna due to intense fishing activity developed during the last decades of XX Century. The results of the Experimental Survey indicate that the impact of trawling on seamounts could be important and that the closed area agreed in 2007 to protect the bottom habitats of the seamounts within NAFO Regulatory Area (Divs. 6EFG) should be maintained and improved.