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Sustainable management of mesopelagic resources

Descripción del proyecto

Una pesca sostenible a mayor profundidad

El proyecto SUMMER estudiará unos descubrimientos recientes que sugieren que la zona mesopelágica de los océanos contiene el 90 % de la biomasa de peces del planeta. Aunque tan solo parte de esto sea correcto, el potencial de aprovechamiento en cuanto a producción de harina de pescado, nutracéuticos y productos farmacéuticos es inmenso. Sin embargo, dado que la función de los peces mesopelágicos no se comprende en términos ecosistémicos, primero es necesario crear herramientas para estimar de forma precisa su biomasa y la repercusión entre las especies a ese nivel. Mediante el uso de ADN ambiental (eDNA), el análisis de los intestinos y la acústica, entre otras herramientas, SUMMER también investigará las repercusiones medioambientales de tal explotación. Los resultados proporcionarán una idea más clara del potencial comercial mesopelágico y su efecto en el equilibrio de los ecosistemas.

Objetivo

The mesopelagic layer is one of the least understood ecosystems on Earth. Recent research suggests that the fish biomass in the mesopelagic ecosystem might be 10 times higher than previously thought, and therefore represent 90 % of the fish biomass of the planet. However, this estimate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty in the fraction of the community that is fish. The potential high biomass has raised interest in its exploitation, mainly as a fish meal, but other potential exploitation pathways for high value compounds, such as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, are possible. Nevertheless, if the biomass is as high as estimated, mesopelagic fish may play a key role in ecosystem services, such as sustaining other commercially relevant species and carbon sequestration. SUMMER will establish a protocol to accurately estimate mesopelagic fish biomass, quantify the ecosystem services provided by the mesopelagic community (food, climate regulation and potential for bioactive compounds) and develop a decision support tool to measure the trade-offs between the different services. Combining eDNA with in situ acoustics and trawls SUMMER will obtain an accurate assessment of the composition and biomass of the mesopelagic community. Gut content analysis, molecular markers and stable isotopes will allow quantification of the vertically integrated trophic network, linking to commercial and charismatic species. Models will be used to estimate the impact of fishing scenarios on trophic network stability and carbon sequestration. Mesopelagic organisms will be tested for their potential as fish meal, nutra and pharmaceuticals. The project will develop a decision support tool to enable accounting for trade-offs between services in when considering sustainable use of mesopelagic resources. Finally, a range of interactions with stakeholders, policy makers and public will ensure that any strategy to exploit the mesopelagic ecosystem takes account of all the consequences.

Convocatoria de propuestas

H2020-BG-2018-2020

Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria

Convocatoria de subcontratación

H2020-BG-2018-2

Régimen de financiación

RIA - Research and Innovation action

Coordinador

FUNDACION AZTI - AZTI FUNDAZIOA
Aportación neta de la UEn
€ 638 045,00
Dirección
TXATXARRAMENDI UGARTEA Z/G
48395 Sukarrieta
España

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Región
Noreste País Vasco Bizkaia
Tipo de actividad
Research Organisations
Enlaces
Coste total
€ 638 045,00

Participantes (23)