عنوان

GCP/RER/010/ITA/MSM-30 (MedSudMed Technical Documents n°30)
Report of the MedSudMed acoustic survey: Libyan continental shelf – south-central Mediterranean Sea (14 August - 06 September 2008)

11 MB

This document is the final version of the report of the MedSudMed Acoustic Survey carried out in Libyan waters from 14 August to 06 September 2008 on board the R/V Dallaporta. The document also presents the results of the processing of the data collected during the survey. The survey was carried out under the cooperative framework promoted by the FAO Project MedSudMed (Assessment and Monitoring of the Fishery Resources and the Ecosystems in the Straits of Sicily). The main objective of the survey was to collect information on abundance and distribution of small pelagic fish and on some environmental factors along the Libyan continental shelf. To this end, acoustic measurements of small pelagic fish were carried out. Sampling of small pelagic fish using a pelagic trawler was carried out as well. Advantage was also taken during the survey to measure some physico-chemical parameters of the water column. The acoustic survey was the first survey for the assessment of small pelagic fish biomass since 1993-1994 in Libyan waters. An overall description of the sampling scheme, of the area explored and of the methods adopted is provided. The biomass, abundance, spatial distribution, length frequency distribution and length weight-relationship for the main small pelagic species found in Libyan waters is described: Engraulis encrasicolus, Sardina philcardus, Sardinella aurita, Trachurus mediterraneus, Scomber japonicas, Boops boops, Spicara spp. and Etrumeus teres. Sea water temperature, salinity and oxygen along the water column are also illustrated.