Evaluation of the anchovy biomass in the Bay of Biscay, BIOMAN scientific survey

The Basque Fishery and Foodstuffs Technological Institute, AZTI, has started their annual fisheries research survey, BIOMAN, with the aim of evaluating the anchovy biomass in the Bay of Biscay.

For this study, AZTI has at its disposal the Vizconde de Eza, considered to be one of the most advanced oceanographic research vessels in the world., ,The Vizconde de Eza is carrying a large and experienced AZTI team of scientists who, between the 3 and the 22 of May, are carrying out studies and taking samples in order to determine the zones of reproduction of the anchovy and the daily production of eggs of the species. These studies on the production of eggs of the anchovy, together with those on the fecundity rate of the fish species, enable an estimate to be made of the reproductive biomass of the anchovy in the Bay of Biscay. , ,Given the current crisis in fish catches, the results of this research will be fundamental in understanding the current state of abundance of the anchovy population, its approximate biomass in tons and its age structure, as well as its spatial distribution in the water mass., ,The study is also investigating the relationship between oceanographic characteristics and the distribution of the anchovy population, an aspect which is increasingly relevant in fisheries scientific research. To this end, hydrographic data from the area under investigation such as temperature, salinity and chlorophyll presence are recorded.

Countries

Spain