Spain & Ecuador Trying To Estimate The Coastal Biomass ff

Source: El Diario

Researchers on board the vessel “Miguel Oliver”, owned by the Spanish Government, will explore the waters of the continental shelf and slope of Ecuador, with the ultimate goal of estimating existing fishery resources in the area, in its third campaign to study the fisheries resources since 2008.

Scientists from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) will participate in this multidisciplinary fisheries research survey Ecuador 2010, which will take place from 15 October to 5 November in Ecuadorian waters.

The Ecuadorian Subsecretary of Fisheries Resources, Luis Arriaga Ochoa, explained that the exploration area will focus on the bathymetry of 100 to 500 meters deep, between latitudes 1º 2’ N and 3º 2’ S.

He said that this cooperation is the result of an agreement signed in the year 2008 between the Governments of Spain and Ecuador. “What we are trying to achieve is an estimation of existing biomass’ by using the swept area method,” Arriaga said.

Scientists aim to understand the resources in the region and study the demographic structure of their populations. In addition, they will continue to map the seafloor and conduct seismic profiles.

The sets will be distributed every 100 meters deep, using the Lofoten bottom trawl system with each set lasting 30 minutes per set of effective driving.