Preliminary data on horse mackerel (Trachurus spp) landings from Mauritanian waters

European fishery off Mauritania (one of the most productive and most intensively exploited regions in the world) targeted to small pelagic fish accounts for 30% of the total catches in the area. The Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), through its Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, follows up the activity of these vessels that land at Spanish port (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain), under the European Project Data Collection (Regulation (EC) 1543/2000). One of the target groups in this fishery is Trachurus spp, commercially named “JAX”. During 2008 and 2009, several samples of this group from these landings were analysed, and Caranx rhonchus was the second species of importance. The mixture of these species in the landings of this UE fleet should be determined to improve the data provided to the international Working Groups responsible for assessment of those resources.

Variations in coastal fish species composition captured by traps in Romsdalsfjord, Western Norway

Fish traps are widely used in Norwegian fjords, especially those designed for monitoring salmonid populations in the marine environment, although many other marine fish species are also captured. The composition and spatio-temporal variations of fish species captured by fish traps were monitored in five different coastal locations throughout the Romsdalsfjord region, Western Norway, from May to August during the three consecutive years (2011–2013). Twenty-three fish species were captured by traps in coastal waters, both resident and migratory fishes. The most common fish and with greater catchability were saithe (Pollachis virens) and sea trout (Salmo trutta), followed by cod (Gadus morhua), pollack (P. pollachius), herring (Clupea harengus) and mackerels (Trachurus trachurus and Scomber scombrus). However, the captured assemblage presented great spatial and seasonal variations, in terms of mean daily catch, probably associated with hydrographical conditions and migrational patterns. Information obtained in this study will help us to better understand the compositions and dynamic of coastal fish populations inhabiting Norwegian coastal waters. In addition, traps are highly recommended as a management tool for fish research (e.g. fish-tagging experiments, mark and recapture) and conservation purposes (coastal use and fisheries studies).