No 1: PML - Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, UK POL - Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, Birkenhead, UK (CCMS - Centre for Coastal and Marine Sciences)
Dr. T.J. Smyth - Remote sensing co-ordinator
Dr. R. Proctor - Marine physics, mathematical modelling
Mr. S.B. Groom - Ocean colour data analysis
Under sub-contract to MBA
Dr. S.H. Coombs - Team leader and SEAMAR co-ordinator.
Mr. D.V.P. Conway - Plankton ecologist
Mr. N.C. Halliday - Plankton ecologist
Objectives
PML will assist in model development, provide biological support for application of the model, in particular parameterisation of post-larval biology, input remote sensing data for support of cruises and model forcing, and act as overall project co-ordinator.
- Input to model development and application
- Determine distribution and dispersion of larvae and post-larvae
- Measure growth and mortality rates
- Analyse condition of larvae end post-larvae in relation to food availability
- Assess post-larval feeding and predation in relation to food availability and production
- Identify mesoscale hydrographic features which affect larval distribution and feeding
- Provide broad-scale satellite derived temperature and production fields
Sub-task 1.1 Model development and sensitivity analysis
Sub-task 1.2 Provision of archive and field sampling data to the model
Sub-task 2.1 Determine the geographical distribution of mackerel larvae and post-larvae in relation to the hydrography and primary and secondary production.
Sub-task 2.2 Parameterisation of dispersion and vertical distribution
Sub-task 2.3 Estimation of growth, mortality and condition
Sub-task 2.4 Measuring feeding and predation in relation to food availability and species composition.
Sub-task 4.1 Analysis of remote sensing data to characterise mesoscale features and broad-scale hydrographic and production regimes.
Sub-task 4.2 Hydrographic sampling for
measurement of environmental conditions
Methods
Sub-task 1.1 Development of Individual-Based Modules of growth and mortality
Sub-task 1.2 Input of data and refinement of model simulations by feedback between the modelling and data input components.
Sub-task 2.1 and 2.2 Vertical distribution sampling along transects for post-larvae (gear selection from Bongo, MIK, RMT, Tucker Trawl and neuston nets).
Sub-task 2.3 Larval and post-larval growth from otolith rings; carbon and nitrogen analysis for condition; mortality rates from regression analysis of length-frequency abundance.
Sub-task 2.4 Gut contents analysis of post-larvae, plankton biomass measures and indices of primary production from satellite data.
Sub-task 4.1 Satellite images processed for sea-surface temperature (AVHRR) and phytoplankton pigment (CZCS, OCTS, SeaWIFS, MODIS and MERIS). Historical and current data analysed for mesoscale features with processed images available via World-Wide Web.
Sub-task 4.2 CTD and UNDULATOR sampling;
ADCP for currents for model validation.
Timetable of research activities
Year 1
- Input circulation data to model
- Research cruise for post-larval sampling
- Analysis of cruise (and archive) samples for larval growth, mortality, condition (C/N) gut contents and food availability (+OCTS and Sea WIFS)
- Process archived CZCS and AVHRR data
- Process contemporary satellite temperature and ocean colour data
- Establish WWW accessible database of satellite imagery
- Comparison of model output with other modelling schemes
- Cross-comparison with other participants of growth, mortality and C/N results
- Supply growth, mortality and food availability data for input to the model
- Process contemporary satellite temperature and ocean colour data
- Maintain WWW accessible database of satellite imagery
- Model application and validation for alternative scenarios
- Process contemporary satellite temperature and ocean colour data
- Complete WWW accessible archive of satellite imagery
Scientific Team
Dr. S.H. Coombs - Team leader and SEAMAR co-ordinator.
Mr. D.V.P. Conway - Plankton ecologist
Mr. N.C. Halliday - Plankton ecologist
Objectives
As a sub-contract from PML, the MBA participants will carry out the following aspects of the overall PML progranmme: to provide biological support for application of the model, in particular for field sampling and parameterisation of post-larval biology, and to act as overall project coordinator.
- Input to model development and application
- Determine distribution and dispersion of larvae and post-larvae
- Measure growth and mortality rates
- Analyse condition of larvae and post-larvae in relation to food availability
- Assess post-larval feeding and predation in relation to food availability and production
Actions in the project
Sub-task 1.1 Model development and sensitivity analysis
Sub-task 1.2 Provision of archive and field sampling data to the model
Sub-task 2.1 Determine the geographical distribution of mackerel larvae and post-larvae in relation to the hydrography and primary and secondary production
Sub-task 2.2 Parameterisation of dispersion and vertical distribution
Sub-task 2.3 Estimation of growth, mortality and condition
Sub-task 2.4 Measuring feeding and predation in relation to food availability and species composition
Sub-task 4.2 Hydrographic sampling for measurement of environmental conditions
Methods
Sub-task 1.1 Development of Individual-Based Modules of growth and mortality
Sub-task 1.2 Input of data and refinement of model simulations by feedback between the modelling and data input components
Sub-task 2.1 and 2.2 Vertical distribution sampling along transects for post-larvae (gear selection from Bongo, MIK, RMT, Tucker Trawl and neuston nets)
Sub-task 2.3 Larval and post-larval growth from otolith rings; carbon and nitrogen analysis for condition; mortality rates from regression analysis of length-frequency abundance
Sub-task 2.4 Gut contents analysis of post-larvae, plankton biomass measures and indices of primary production from satellite data
Sub-task 4.2 CTD and UNDULATOR sampling
Timetable of research activities
Year 1
- Research cruise for post-larval sampling
- Analysis of cruise (and archive) samples for larval growth, mortality, condition (C/N) gut contents and food availability
Year 2
- Cross-comparison with other participants of growth, mortality and C/N results
- Supply growth, mortality and food availability data for input to the model
Year 3
- Model application and validation for alternative scenarios
Dr. L. Valdés - Plankton ecology and database; Team leader.
Ms. A. Solá - Research vessel surveys.
Ms. C. Franco - Plankton analysis and computer processing.
Ms. A. Lago de Lanzós - Early life stage distribution/transport processes.
Dr. A. Lavín - Hydrographic sampling and analysis.
Mr. M. Cabanas - Oceanic circulation.
Ms. C. Porteiro - Distribution and abundance of adults and recruits.
Ms. B. Villamor - Distribution and abundance of adults and recruits.
Mr. M. Bernal- Statistics and computer processing.
Objectives
The main input from IEO will be provision of data to the model from the results of field surveys in the area of Cape Ortegal and the inner Bay of Biscay; IEO will also manage the SEAMAR database.
- Description of egg and larval distribution, growth and mortality rates.
- Description of physical influences on growth and mortality of larvae and post-larvae.
- Detection of advection-retention mechanisms influencing larval survival.
- Quantification of recruitment strength and location of juveniles.
- Explore the effects of different climatic scenarios on the survival of larvae and pre-recruits.
- Identification of mesoscale structures and other oceanographic processes in relation to biological productivity
Sub-task 1.2. Input data from field surveys and provide model test conditions.
Sub-task 2.1. Supply ichthyoplankton distributions in relation to mesoscale features.
Sub-task 2.2. Studies of patch distribution and vertical distribution of larvae and post-larvae.
Sub-task 2.3. Field measurements of growth and mortality.
Sub-task 2.4 Supply estimates of food availability
Task 3. Provide data on distribution and intensity of recruitment in the Bay of Biscay
Task 4.2. Sampling to characterise the hydrography and oceanic circulation
Task 5. Data management, collation and
dissemination.
Methods
Sub-task 1.2. Provision of data from field surveys, meteorological records and the literature.
Task 2. Patch studies and Lagrangian experiments on dedicated surveys with concurrent sampling for larvae and environmental conditions; supplemented by the ICES
Triennial Egg Survey database; larval otoliths processed for daily growth estimates; satellite data for production estimates.
Task 3. Provision of data from catch analysis and acoustic surveys in the Bay of Biscay
Sub-task 4.2. CTD sampling on dedicated mesoscale targeted research cruises
Task 5. Operation of an ORACLE database
with WWW-INTERNET access.
Timetable of research activities
Year 1
- Set up database and WWW site for collation/dissemination of data
- Analyse catch and acoustical data on adults and juveniles and input to the database
- Process meteorological data for the Biscay area
- Carry out 2 x three week mesoscale field sampling cruises
- Analysis of samples from cruises for larvae and food availability
- Determine age structure of larvae from otolith analysis
- Processing meteorological data for the Biscay area
- Database management, collation/dissemination of data
- Complete plankton analysis for eggs and larvae
- Processing egg and larval cruise data for growth and mortality estimates
- Processing meteorological data for the Biscay area
- Database management, collation/dissemination of data
- Production of database inventory
Prof. Dr. W. Nellen - Team leader.
Dr. M. Kloppmann - Biological parameterisation
Dr. J. Bartsch - Mathematical modelling
Objectives
The contribution of IHF will be to model development and determining the range and structure of distribution of mackerel larvae and post-larvae in relation to the physical environment and to growth and mortality. These results will contribute to development and validation of the bio-physical transport model.
- Develop growth and mortality modules for the Bio-physical Transport Model (BPTM)
- To simulate a range of drift and survival scenarios and relate these to observational data
- Geographical distribution studies of mackerel larvae in relation to hydrography
- Vertical distribution sampling for larvae in relation to the physical environment
- Studies of patch structure of larvae (dispersion/aggregation and mesoscale hydrography)
- Determination of growth and mortality of larvae in relation to drift and patch structure
Sub-task 1.1 Formulation and parameterisation of larval growth and mortality
Sub-task 1.2 Simulation of circulation fields, testing and validating (includes T0/T1 studies) BPTM
Sub-task 2.1 Sampling for geographical distribution of larvae and post-larvae and small scale distribution of mackerel larvae in relation to physical environment
Sub-task 2.2 Determining patch-structure, behaviour and vertical distribution of larvae and post-larvae
Sub-task 2.3 Measuring growth of mackerel larvae in a patch
Sub-task 2.3 Measuring mortality of mackerel larvae in a patch
Sub-task 4.2 Determining mesoscale hydrographic
features that affect distribution and patch structure
Methods
Sub-task 1.1 Develop and incorporate individual-based models of growth and mortality in the transport model, literature derived parameterisation of larval growth
Sub-tasks 1.2 and 2.1Bongo nets, neuston nets and a specially designed young fish trawl for post-larval sampling on two consecutive cruises for T0 and T1 distributions of mackerel larvae and post-larvae for model input and comparisons
Sub-task 2.2 Tracking patches of larvae with drift buoys and high resolution sampling with a multiple-opening closing net to study their vertical and fine scale horizontal distribution in relation to the hydrography
Sub-task 2.3 Otolith daily growth ring analysis in relation to the physical and biological environment of the larvae. Regression analysis of larval abundance from patch sampling in differing hydrographic regimes.
Sub-task 2.4 Stomach contents analysis of larvae and post-larvae
Sub-task 4.2 Standard hydrographic measurements
to accompany all biological sampling to detect mesoscale hydrographic features
that may affect survival of larvae
Timetable of research activities
Year 1
- Development and testing of growth module.
- Linking growth module to transport model.
- Literature review of growth for parameterisation purposes
- Pilot study on distribution of post-larvae (data analysis of cruises in 1997 and 1998)
- Planning and executing two x T0/T1 study cruises
- Acquisition and analysis of meteorological and hydrographic data for first project year.
- Simulation of circulation field for pre-project year.
- Development and testing of mortality module
- Linking mortality module to transport model
- Testing of full BPTM
- Acquisition of meteorological data for first and second project year
- Simulation of circulation field for first project year
- Data analysis from T0/T1 studies including otolith growth and mortality estimates with hydrographic data.
- Acquisition of meteorological data for second and part of third project year
- Simulation of circulation field for third project year
- Simulation of a range of drift and survival scenarios using available circulation fields.
- Comparison of BPTM output to observational data.
- Description of growth and mortality modules.
- Validation of model
- Statistical analysis of patch, growth and mortality data
Dr. L. Motos - Egg and larval distribution, fish larval ecology. Team leader.
Dr. A. Uriarte Villalba - Hydrography and transport in patch studies.
| Dr. P. Álvarez (Research officer) & Mr. Oscar Gómez - |
|
Mr. A. Uriarte - Co-ordinator of JUVESU, Juvenile studies, adult distribution.
Mr. M. González - Circulation and hydrography
Ms. Y. Sagarminaga - Satellite imagery studies
Objectives
AZTI will be primarily addressing the influence of oceanographic features (e.g. slope fronts, eddies and other oceanic features) on the fate of mackerel larvae in southern Biscay in relation to their early life-history and advection/retention processes.
- Determining the location of spawning centres and distribution of mackerel eggs and larvae
- Hydrographic characterisation of the water masses in relation to spawning
- Tracking water masses by means of drifting buoys and ADCP profiling
- Studying the horizontal/vertical distribution of mackerel larvae in area of aggregation
- Parameterisation of growth and mortality for input to the model
- Calculating dispersion indices for the sampling area
Sub-task 1.2. Model application using input data from field surveys.
Sub-task 2.1. Distribution of eggs and larvae in relation to oceanographic features, in collaboration with INDICES project.
Sub-task 2.2. Patch studies on larval dynamics, including horizontal and vertical distribution.
Sub-task 2.3. Field studies on pre-metamorphosis and juvenile growth and mortality.
Task 3. Estimation of recruitment distribution and strength in the Bay of Biscay (in collaboration with the JUVESU project.
Sub-task 4.1. Satellite imagery support for cruises.
Sub-task 4.2. Field hydrographic measurements
in association with biological sampling.
Methods
Sub-task 1.1. Data from literature reviews, historical data series including collation of meteorological or satellite records and field surveys.
Sub-task 2.1. Historical data series include ICES triennial egg surveys, in connection with the "INDICES" project. Transect coverage for eggs and larvae using Bongo net.
Sub-task 2.2. Tracking the main spawning centres by means of drift buoys. Intensive sampling to study onshore/offshore larval transport and biological implication. High temporal resolution sampling close to the drifting buoys, including discrete layer vertical sampling.
Sub-task 2.3. Pre-metamorphosis growth studies using otolith daily ring techniques.
Task 3. Data on recruit distribution from the "JUVESU" project.
Sub-task 4.1. Provision of fields of sea-surface temperature and phytoplankton pigment.
Sub-task 4.2. ADCP profiling. T/S characterisation
with CTD. Advection coefficients through drift studies.
Timetable of research activities
Year 1
- Analysis of historical data on the distribution of mackerel eggs and larvae
- Training in otolith daily growth ring analysis
- Estimation of Biscay mackerel recruitment in collaboration with JUVESU
- Collection and analysis of satellite imagery for input to the model
- Analysis of historical data on the distribution of mackerel eggs and larvae
- Analysis of larval and juvenile otolith samples from archive material
- Estimation of Biscay recruit distribution in collaboration with JUVESU
- Collaborative drift studies with IEO
- Collection and analysis of satellite imagery for input to the model
- Carry out two T0/T1 patch study cruises
- Processing egg and larval samples from cruise and historical data for distribution
- Growth and mortality studies.
- Calculating dispersal indices for the Biscay study area
- Analysis of larval and juvenile otolith samples from cruise material
- Processing cruise hydrographic data
- Collection and analysis of satellite imagery for input to the model
Scientific Team
Dr M. Bailey - Analysis of otolith microstructure. Team leader.
Dr D. Reid - Egg and recruit survey databases.
Dr M. Heath - Analysis of otolith microstructure.
Dr M. Priede - Mackerel bilogy.
Objectives
The main role of this group will be in the collection and analysis of mackerel recruit otoliths from a variety of nursery areas to determine their relative growth patterns. The group will also provide distributional analyses from the mackerel egg and recruit databases held at MLA.
- Site and year-specific recruit otolith microstructure analyses
- Provision of mackerel egg survey data for input to models
- Provision of mackerel recruit distribution data for comparison with model outputs
Sub-task 1.2 Provide historic time-series data on mackerel egg and recruit distributions
Sub-task 2.1 Determine regional distribution patterns of larvae
Sub-task 2.3 Analyses post-larval and recruit otolith microstructures
Task 3 Analyse historic recruit time-series
and collect new recruit distribution data; collect recruit samples for
otolith analysis.
Methods
Sub-task 1.2 Information from the ICES Triennial Egg Survey (1977-1998) and the recruit survey databases, both held at MLA, will be available for data extraction for model input, test and validation.
Sub-task 2.1 Processing of egg survey and larval distributional data.
Sub-task 2.3 Otoliths from post-larvae and age-0 recruits will be analysed by microscope and image analysis for daily incremental growth rings.
Task 3 Routine surveys for mackerel
recruit distributions will be carried out in all year of the project. These
from part of the ICES co-ordinated western area bottom trawl survey. Samples
are collected by standard bottom trawl tows on an ICES rectangle basis.
Timetable of research activities
Year 1
- Commence otolith microstructure analyses on samples taken during the previousyear. Assimilate new recruit data into the recruit database. Assimilate egg survey data and prepare outputs for entry into model.
- Continue otolith microstructure analysis. Assimilate new recruit data into the recruit database and prepare output data for comparison with model predictions.
- Complete outstanding otolith work and additional work as indicated by findings in first two years Assimilate new recruit data into the recruit database and complete any further outputs required.
Scientific Team
Prof. Dr. J. M. Fives - Team leader
Dr. Sarah Varian - Marine fisheries ecologist.
| Dr. Tara Gallagher, Ms. Oonagh Dwane,
Mr. Edward McCormack, Ms.Vera Heffernan |
- Plankton ecologists. |
Objectives
MRI will be providing input data to the model based on the analysis of samples from the ICES Triennial Mackerel Egg Surveys.
- To compile length frequency distribution for larvae by areas
- To estimate growth and mortality of mackerel larvae in relation to environmental variables.
- To indicate food requirements of the mackerel larvae and food availability.
Sub-task 2.1 Charting the distribution of mackerel larvae and post-larvae
Sub-task 2.3 Determination of growth and mortality rates of mackerel larvae
Sub-task 2.4 Gut contents analysis for
feeding studies
Methods
Sub-task 2.1. Identification and counting of mackerel larvae from the ICES Triennial Mackerel Egg Survey samples and relating to recorded environmental variables.
Sub-task 2.3 Length-frequency analysis for determination of larval growth and mortality.
Sub-task 2.4 Gut contents analysis taking
account of food preferences and cannibalism in relation to food availability.
Timetable of research activities
Year 1
- Analysis of eggs and larvae from the Triennial Mackerel Egg Survey samples
- Analysis of larval mackerel gut contents
- Analysis of zooplankton, from the same samples, as an index of food availability
- Processing larval length and distribution data for growth and mortality estimates
- Final data analysis and report preparation
Scientific Team
Ms. I. Meneses - Growth studies. Team leader
Ms. T. Rosa - Hydrography and input of data to database
Ms. C. Vendrell - Egg and larval distributions and growth studies
Ms. A. Farinha - Egg and larval distributions
Objectives
IPIMAR will be contributing to the distribution of mackerel eggs and larvae in relation to environmental conditions (temperature and salinity), elaboration of age/length keys (ALKS), estimation of larval growth rates, and processing data for incorporation in the database and model.
- Description of distribution of eggs and larvae of mackerel and staging of eggs.
- Growth measurement of mackerel larvae.
- Ship-based hydrographic measurements.
- Influence of environmental factors on distribution and growth of mackerel larvae.
Sub-task 2.1 Conduct two cruises in 1999 and two cruises in 2000. Ichthyoplankton distribution for input to database.
Sub-task 2.3 Field measurements of growth and mortality
Sub-task 4.2 Sampling (temperature and
conductivity) to characterise hydrography
Methods
Sub-task 2.1 Field sampling for eggs and larvae for distribution and abundance
Sub-task 2.3 Image analysis of larval lengths, otolith daily ring counts and ALKS for larval growth rate determination
Sub-task 4.2 CTD data processed for
input to the database and model
Timetable of Research Activities
Year 1
- Ichthyoplankton sampling on two cruises
- Analysis of cruise samples for egg and larval distributions
- Measurement of larvae and otolith extraction and preparation for growth analysis
- Hydrographic data analysis
- Process larval distribution and growth data in relation to environmental factors
- Ichthyoplankton sampling on two cruises
- Analysis of cruise samples for egg and larval distributions
- Measurement of larvae and otolith extraction and preparation for growth analysis
- Hydrographic data analysis
- Process larval distribution and growth data in relation to environmental factors
- Final processing of data for output to the database
- Preparation of final report
- Preparation of peer reviewed publications
Scientific Team
Dr. Hein von Westernhagen - Team leader
2 doctoral scientists - marine fisheries ecologists
Objectives
The contribution of BAH will be to determining the range and structure of distribution of the early life history (ELH) stages of mackerel (larvae, post larvae and juveniles) in relation to the physical environment and with respect to feeding, growth and mortality.
- Geographical distribution of mackerel eggs and larvae in relation to hydrography
- Vertical distribution of larvae in relation to the physical environment
- Patch structure of larvae (dispersion vs. aggregation and mesoscale hydrography)
- Growth and mortality of larvae in relation to drift and patch structure
- Feeding of larvae in relation to the biotic and physical environment
Sub-task 1.2 T0/T1 study for validation of BPTM
Sub-task 2.1 Geographical distribution of eggs and larvae and post-larvae
Small scale distribution of mackerel larvae in relation to physical environment
Sub-task 2.2 Patch-structure, behaviour and vertical distribution of larvae and post-larvae
Sub-task 2.3 Growth, mortality and condition of mackerel larvae in different environments
Sub-task 2.4 Feeding and cannibalism of larvae and post-larvae in relation to environment
Sub-task 4.2 Mesoscale hydrographic
features that affect distribution and patch structure
Methods
Sub-tasks 1.2 and 2.1 Bongo nets, neuston nets and young fish trawl for sampling on consecutive cruises for T0/T1 distributions of mackerel larvae and post-larvae
Sub-task 2.2 Tracking patches of larvae with drift buoys and high resolution sampling with amultiple-opening closing net for vertical and fine-scale horizontal distribution inrelation to hydrography.
Sub-task 2.3 Regression analysis of larval abundance from patch sampling in differing hydrographic regimes. Otolith daily growth ring analysis in relation to the physical and biological environment. Condition determination by C/N analysis
Sub-task 2.4 Stomach content analysis with particular attention to cannibalism. Water bottle sampling for measurement of prey abundance
Sub-task 4.2 Standard hydrographic measurements
to accompany all biological sampling to detect mesoscale hydrographic features
that may affect survival of larvae
Timetable of research activities
Year 1
- Literature review of growth; pilot study on distribution, stomach contents and C/N ratio of post-larval mackerel (from 1997 and 1998 cruises); planning and executing two x T0/T1 study cruises
- Data analysis from T0/T1 sampling and comparison with hydrographic data for otolith growth, mortality estimates, food abundance, stomach contents and C/N ratio
- Statistical analysis of patch data for growth, mortality and stomach contents and comparison with environmental data