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Impact of climate change on twilight zone fishes during early-stage development

Project description

Shining a light on twilight zone fish stocks under climate change

The twilight zone (TLZ) is home to the largest and least exploited fish stocks of the world’s oceans. The TLZ is just below the well-studied marine life in the sunlit zone and the ecosystems of the abyss below. The high biomass has raised interest in its exploitation, as fish meal, and nutra-pharmaceutical compounds. In addition, it is unknown how climate change will affect life in the TLZ. The EU-funded PLEASE project will collect background information about the basic biology of the embryonic and larval development of different TLZ fish by establishing a suitable methodology for assisted reproductive technology in laboratory conditions. The project will also examine the developmental responses of the embryos and larvae brought about by ocean warming and acidification under climate change scenarios.

Objective

Twilight zone (TLZ) hosts the largest and least exploited fish stocks of the worlds oceans. These fishes play a key role in ecosystem services, such as sustaining other relevant marine species and global carbon cycle. The TLZ research is still in its infancy, but the high biomass has raised interest in its exploitation, mainly as fish meal, but also as nutra-pharmaceutical compounds. Moreover, climate change is altering the environmental conditions in ways, of which we do not know how life in TLZ will be affected. It is alarming that this vast ocean domain is at risk even before any of the potential consequences of fishing are fully understood. One of the most threaten and less studied aspects of the TLZ is the early life stage of its fishes. PLEASE project aims to fill this gap of knowledge. The first objective is to set background information about basic biology of the embryonic and larval development of different TLZ fishes. It will be achieved by establishing a suitable methodology for assisted reproductive technology in laboratory conditions, since the wild TLZ fishes are vulnerable to captivity. The reproductive methodology will be transferred to the non-academic partner, for developing pioneered aquarium exhibitions. The second objective is to examine the developmental responses of the embryos and larvae due to ocean warming and acidification under climate change scenarios. It will be monitored via the developmental variability, metabolism, physiology, morphometry, and mortality rates of the specimens. The outcomes of the project will be of paramount importance to forecast the impact of climate change on the community of TLZ fishes and will open a new era for more investigation in this pristine and vulnerable zone of the planet. Finally, a range of interactions with stakeholders and public will ensure the project exploitation and improve the decision-making capacity of the policymakers related with climate change and fishing activities in the TLZ.

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-02

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Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD DE LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 226 441,20
Address
C/ Juan de Quesada 30
35001 Las Palmas De Gran Canaria
Spain

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Region
Canarias Canarias Gran Canaria
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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