Benthos fauna in the North Sea from 2 surveys in 1986 and 1987

During two surveys in the North Sea, in summer 1986 and in winter 1987, larger epibenthos was collected with a 2 m beam trawl. The distributions of the species were checked for average linkage by means of the JACCARD-index cluster analysis. In summer two main clusters can be recognized. These are situated to the north and to the south of the Dogger Bank. In winter two main clusters may be recognized as well, but these clusters divide the North Sea into a western and an eastern part. We conclude, that these differences of epibenthos characteristics are correlated with seasonal changes in water body distributions.

Groundfish survey data from the German Bight from 1902-08, 1919-23, and 1930-1932 and ICES International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS) quarter 3 data from 1991 to 2009

Groundfish survey data from the German Bight from 1902-08, 1919-23, and 1930-1932 and ICES International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS) quarter 3 data from 1991 to 2009 were analysed with respect to species frequencies, maximum length, trends in catch-per-unit-effort, species richness parameters (SNR) and presence of large fish (Phi40), the latter defined as average presence of species per haul with specimens larger than 40 cm given. Four different periods are distinguished: (a) before 1914 with medium commercial CPUE and low landings, Phi40 approx. 2, high abundance in elasmobranchs and SNR conditions indicating highly diverse assemblages, (b) conditions immediately after 1918 with higher commercial CPUE, recovering landings, Phi40 at > 4 in 1919, and SNR conditions indicating highly diverse assemblages, (c) conditions from 1920 to the early 1930's with decreasing commercial CPUE, increased landings, decreasing Phi40, SNR conditions similar to later years indicating less diverse assemblages, and a decrease in elasmobranchs. In the IBTS series (d), Phi40 remains low indicating an increased rarity of large specimens, and SNR characteristics are similar to the third period. Dab, whiting and grey gurnard have increased considerably in the IBTS series as compared to the historic data. Phi40 is suggested an alternative indicator reflecting community functional diversity when weight based indicators cannot be applied.