Éditeur(s) : EDP Sciences
Résumé : From April 2003 to April 2004 monthly sea surveys were conducted around 2 fish aggregating devices (FADs) moored at 2000 and 2500 m depth in Martinique (Lesser Antilles). The use of a dual frequency splitbeam echosounder combined with an underwater camera and fishing methods allowed assessment of average space and time distribution of pelagic fish aggregated beneath the FADs, as well as identification of their overall size and species composition. At daytime, 4 fish aggregations were identified at each FAD, representing 4 distinct types: i) an aggregation of small juvenile tuna (mean fork length, FL: 30 cm) observed very close to the surface in 25% of daytime periods; ii) a small surface aggregation dominated by carangids, Caranx crysos, present in 65% of daytime periods; iii) a large sub-surface aggregation observed during all daytime periods: this aggregation appeared to be primarily comprised of 58 cm FL blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus), mixed with yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) tunas of the same size; and iv) sub-surface scattered large predators (mainly blue marlin, Makaira nigricans) present in 10% of daytime periods. A smaller sub-surface aggregation comprised of medium tuna mixed with "extranatants" (fishes which remain within 10 to 50 m of a FAD) was observed in 75% of night-time periods, whereas unidentified scattered fishes were detected from 70 to 400 m depth. The low daytime vulnerability of medium sub-surface tunas to applied line techniques leads us to assume that their feeding motivation was low during daytime. These tunas could preferentially feed on mesopelagic organisms during night-time and transition periods around Martinican moored FADs. Local fishermen mainly targeted the large scattered predators using very small tunas as living bait. The sub-surface tuna aggregation hence appeared to be currently unexploited by local fisheries, though it represented the large majority of the pelagic biomass around the moored FADs.
Des campagnes scientifiques mensuelles ont été menées autour de 2 dispositifs de concentration de poissons ancrés à 2000-2500 m de profondeur, en Martinique d'avril 2003 à avril 2004. L'utilisation combinée d'un échosondeur monofaisceau multifréquence, d'une caméra vidéo sous-marine et de techniques de pêche conventionnelles a permis de déterminer la distribution spatio-temporelle moyenne des poissons agrégés autour des DCP ancrés ainsi que la composition générale des agrégations. Les techniques de vidéo sous-marine ont joué un rôle majeur dans l'identification des espèces et l'observation de leur comportement. De jour; quatre types d'agrégations ont été définis : i) une agrégation de thonidés juvéniles (longueur à la fourche, LF, moyenne : 30 cm) observée très près de la surface durant 25 % des périodes diurnes échantillonnées ii) une petite agrégation composée essentiellement de Caranx crysos présente en surface lors de 65 % des phases diurnes iii) une grande agrégation de thons observée en sub-surface lors de toutes les phases diurnes; cette agrégation était constituée essentiellement de thons noirs (Thunnus atlanticus) de 58 cm LF, associés de façon saisonnière à des albacores (Thunnus albacares) et des listaos (Katsuwonus pelamis) de taille similaire iv) des grands prédateurs assez dispersés (essentiellement le marlin bleu, Makaira nigricans), observés lors de 10 % des phases diurnes. Une agrégation de sub-surface, aux dimensions plus réduites et composée de thons et "d'extranatants" (poissons restant à distance de 10 à 50 m du DCP) a été observée lors de 75 % des périodes nocturnes; ainsi que des organismes non-identifiés dispersés entre 70 et 400 m de profondeur. La faible vulnérabilité diurne des thons de sub-surface aux techniques de ligne utilisées indique qu'ils ne se nourrissent pas activement durant la journée. Ces poissons pourraient se nourrir préférentiellement d'organismes mésopélagiques durant les phases de transition et nocturnes autour des DCP ancrés. La pêcherie artisanale martiniquaise n'exploite qu'une faible part des ressources agrégées autour des DCP ancrés. Les principales espèces-cibles sont les grands prédateurs capturés de jour en utilisant des thonidés juvéniles comme appât vivant. L'agrégation de thons de sub-surface représente la grande majorité de la biomasse autour des DCP mais elle est quasiment inexploitée par les pêcheries locales.
Aquatic Living Resources (0990-7440) (EDP Sciences), 2007-10 , Vol. 20 , N. 4 , P. 357-366

Droits : EDP Sciences, IFREMER, IRD 2007
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2007/publication-3634.pdf
DOI:10.1051/alr:2008004
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/3634/

Éditeur(s) : Wiley-blackwell
Résumé : Aim The aims of this study were: (1) to identify global communities of tuna and billfish species through quantitative statistical analyses of global fisheries data; (2) to describe the spatial distribution, main environmental drivers and species composition of each community detected; and (3) to determine whether the spatial distribution of each community could be linked to the environmental conditions that affect lower trophic levels by comparing the partitions identified in this study with Longhursts biogeochemical provinces. Location The global ocean from 60 degrees S to 65 degrees N. Methods We implemented a new numerical procedure based on a hierarchical clustering method and a nonparametric probabilistic test to divide the oceanic biosphere into biomes and ecoregions. This procedure was applied to a database that comprised standardized data on commercial longline catches for 15 different species of tuna and billfish over a period of more than 50 years (i.e. 1953-2007). For each ecoregion identified (i.e. characteristic tuna and billfish community), we analysed the relationships between species composition and environmental factors. Finally, we compared the biogeochemical provinces of Longhurst with the ecoregions that we identified. Results Tuna and billfish species form nine well-defined communities across the global ocean. Each community occurs in regions with specific environmental conditions and shows a distinctive species composition. High similarity (68.8% homogeneity) between the spatial distribution of the communities of tuna and billfish and the biogeochemical provinces suggests a strong relationship between these species and the physical and chemical characteristics of the global ocean. Main conclusions Despite their high tolerance for a wide range of environmental conditions, these highly migratory species are partitioned into clear geographical communities in the ocean at a global scale. The similarity between biogeochemical and biotic divisions in the ocean suggests that the global ocean is a mosaic of large biogeographical ecosystems, each characterized by specific environmental conditions that have a strong effect on the composition of the trophic web.
Journal Of Biogeography (0305-0270) (Wiley-blackwell), 2012-01 , Vol. 39 , N. 1 , P. 114-129

Droits : 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00060/17141/14716.pdf
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2011.02582.x
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00060/17141/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : As top predators of pelagic food webs, large fish naturally bioaccumulate mercury (Hg). Determining Hg burdens in commercialized fish is essential considering the concern about effects of contaminants on human health and the legal thresholds that are therefore set for local consumption and/or exportation. Total Hg levels were measured in the muscular tissue of 183 fish of five commercially important species from the tropical zone of the Western Indian Ocean. All individuals were measured and sexed in order to study the impregnation of Hg with size and sex within each species. Values of Hg found in this part of the Indian Ocean were comparable to Hg in muscular tissue of the same species studied in other areas. The highest Hg levels were noted in Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) caught in waters surrounding Reunion Island (3.97 +/- 2.67 mu g g(-1) dry weight). Following the Swordfish, in decreasing order of Hg content, were the Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) and the Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), then the Common Dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) and the Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri). In the North of the Mozambique Channel, Swordfish had higher Hg levels than Yellowfin Tunas, and Dolphinfish exhibited intermediate Hg levels. The size of a fish was a determining factor of its Hg burden, as was the species. Differences in size-normalized Hg levels were observed between the two study zones for Swordfish and Common Dolphinfish. Sex, in contrast, did not influence Hg levels suggesting that females and males have similar feeding habits. The muscular Hg levels presented here suggest that consumers of fish originating from the Western Indian Ocean should limit themselves to one Swordfish based meal per week, or one fish meal a day if they choose to eat tuna or Common Dolphinfish. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The Science of The Total Environment (0048-9697) (Elsevier), 2006-08 , Vol. 366 , N. 2-3 , P. 688-700

Droits : 2006 Elsevier
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/publication-1862.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.02.006
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1862/