Article
Limnology
Daniel Ottmann, Oyvind Fiksen, Melissa Martin, Francisco Alemany, Laura Prieto, Diego Alvarez-Berastegui, Patricia Reglero
Summary: The study demonstrates that high densities of Pelagia noctiluca at a major spawning ground in the Mediterranean Sea can have an impact on the survival of Atlantic bluefin tuna, but their patchy distribution and low spatial and temporal overlap with the tuna result in overall low predation rates. The specific distribution of spawning sites suggests that bluefin tunas may use local oceanography as cues to avoid areas with high predator densities for spawning.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Review
Oceanography
Irina I. Rypina, Michael M. Dotzel, Lawrence J. Pratt, Christina M. Hernandez, Joel K. Llopiz
Summary: The study investigates the potential major spawning ground for Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Slope Sea of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, identifying suitable spawning habitat predominantly in the western part of the region with significant interannual variability. The influence of Gulf Stream meanders and overshoot events is found to be crucial in determining yearly habitat suitability rates for bluefin tuna in the Slope Sea.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Estrella Malca, Jose M. Quintanilla, Trika Gerard, Francisco Alemany, Tracey Sutton, Alberto Garcia, John T. Lamkin, Raul Laiz-Carrion
Summary: Atlantic bluefin tuna is a globally important fishery resource, and this study found significant population differences between larvae from the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea. The Gulf of Mexico larvae exhibited faster growth, indicating the need for specific management strategies based on the characteristics of each spawning area.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Diaz-Arce, Pierre-Alexandre Gagnaire, David E. Richardson, John F. Walter III, Sophie Arnaud-Haond, Jean-Marc Fromentin, Deirdre Brophy, Molly Lutcavage, Piero Addis, Francisco Alemany, Robert Allman, Simeon Deguara, Igaratza Fraile, Nicolas Goni, Alex R. Hanke, F. Saadet Karakulak, Ashley Pacicco, Joseph M. Quattro, Jay R. Rooker, Haritz Arrizabalaga, Naiara Rodriguez-Ezpeleta
Summary: Through the analysis of genetic data of Atlantic bluefin tuna, we have identified two weakly differentiated but connected ancestral populations and confirmed strong gene flow between the Mediterranean Sea and the Slope Sea. We hypothesize that increased westward migration by the eastern population has led to increased gene flow, which has implications for the genetic diversity and conservation of western populations.
Review
Oceanography
Taketoshi Kodama, Atsushi Tawa, Taiki Ishihara, Yosuke Tanaka
Summary: Bullet tuna and Pacific bluefin tuna larvae coexist in the Sea of Japan, but the former has unique ecological characteristics that allow for their coexistence despite competition with the latter.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Francois Turcotte, Jenni L. McDermid, Tyler D. Tunney, Alex Hanke
Summary: Using hydroacoustic data, this study found that predation of Atlantic Herring by Bluefin Tuna has increased significantly in recent years, indicating potential ecological impacts in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.
MARINE AND COASTAL FISHERIES
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Jose M. Rodriguez, Carolina Johnstone, Diego Lozano-Peral
Summary: This study provides the first evidence of genetically confirmed bluefin tuna larvae in the southern Bay of Biscay, indicating bluefin spawning activity outside the Mediterranean Sea in the northeastern Atlantic. However, the results suggest that bluefin spawning in the Bay of Biscay is a sporadic phenomenon.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
John M. Logan, Andrew S. Wozniak, Jose Luis Varela, Alison Robertson
Summary: Atlantic bluefin tuna spawn in the Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean Sea and migrate to foraging habitats in the North Atlantic. Their natal origin has been linked to spawning ground origins using oxygen isotope analysis, but seasonal connectivity is not fully understood. We used nitrogen isotope data to estimate the foraging habitats of Atlantic bluefin tuna on eastern and western Atlantic spawning grounds.
Article
Fisheries
Kentaro Higuchi, Satoshi Soma, Toshinori Takashi, Keita Ishii, Takeshi Eba, Hiroshi Hashimoto, Taizo Morioka, Kazunori Kumon, Kogen Okita, Takao Hayashida, Sho Hosoya, Koichiro Gen
Summary: To address the issue of high mortality of hatchery-reared Pacific bluefin tuna during the winter, researchers developed an advanced spawning technique by manipulating environmental cues in a land-based tank. This technique allowed the fish to have better thermal tolerance and spawn 2 months earlier than usual. Parentage analysis revealed successful breeding events involving at least 2 females and 5 males.
Article
Fisheries
Emilius A. Aalto, Simon Dedman, Michael J. W. Stokesbury, Robert J. Schallert, Michael Castleton, Barbara A. Block
Summary: Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) are large, migratory predators that spawn in the Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea, and recently discovered Slope Sea region off New England. The behavior and distribution of ABT in the Slope Sea have been poorly understood, but this study provides important insights into their spawning behavior and potential implications for management and conservation efforts.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Michael R. Stukel, Trika Gerard, Thomas B. Kelly, Angela N. Knapp, Raul Laiz-Carrion, John T. Lamkin, Michael R. Landry, Estrella Malca, Karen E. Selph, Akihiro Shiroza, Taylor A. Shropshire, Rasmus Swalethorp
Summary: The study found that the Gulf of Mexico open-ocean ecosystem has extensive nutrient regeneration dominated by the microbial loop. Atlantic bluefin tuna larvae prefer to feed on specific types of zooplankton, which allows them to maintain a low trophic level and increase energy transfer from phytoplankton to larval fish.
JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Hiroshi Ashida, Yukio Ishihara, Shuuyo Watanabe, Seiji Ohshimo, Yosuke Tanaka
Summary: The present study aimed to reassess the spawning fraction (SF) of the Pacific bluefin tuna in the Sea of Japan by determining the duration of spawning markers in the ovaries. The observations of postovulatory follicles showed that they were present up to 38.5 hours after ovulation. The revisited SF values were smaller than the previously estimated SF in the Sea of Japan.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Jen-Chieh Shiao, Jhen Hsu, Ching-Chun Cheng, Wen-Yu Tsai, Han-Bo Lu, Yosuke Tanaka, Pei-Lin Wang
Summary: The Pacific bluefin tuna is an economically important species, but its population has decreased due to overexploitation. Research shows that most tuna spawn in the Western North Pacific, with 69% showing trans-Pacific migration, supporting the one-stock hypothesis.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Michael R. Landry, Rasmus Swalethorp
Summary: The study investigated size-fractioned biomass, isotopes, and grazing of mesozooplankton communities in the larval habitat of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico during the peak spawning month of May. It found that carnivorous taxa dominated the biomass of larger zooplankton, while only a small percentage of smaller zooplankton were carnivores. The characteristics of zooplankton in the Gulf of Mexico were generally similar to those of remote oligotrophic subtropical regions.
JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Teunis Jansen, Einar Eg Nielsen, Naiara Rodriguez-Ezpeleta, Haritz Arrizabalaga, Soren Post, Brian R. MacKenzie
Summary: Collaborating with the Greenlandic fishing fleet, researchers have documented the presence of Atlantic bluefin tuna in Greenland waters, mainly preying on Atlantic mackerel. The tunas vary in size and age, with a wide range of individuals from different year classes migrating to the region. The summer residence of bluefin tuna in the area could be attributed to increasing sea temperatures and higher abundances of both bluefin tuna and their key prey species.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oceanography
Daniel L. Rudnick, Nikolaos D. Zarokanellos, Joaquin Tintore
Summary: A four-dimensional survey using underwater gliders has identified the pathways of subduction at the Almeria-Oran Front in the western Mediterranean Sea. The data collected by the gliders revealed a close relationship between the movement of the front and the vertical velocity, as well as a heat flux structure that would cause restratification of the front.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Oceanography
Maximo Garcia-Jove, Baptiste Mourre, Nikolaos D. Zarokanellos, Pierre F. J. Lermusiaux, Daniel L. Rudnick, Joaquin Tintore
Summary: This study analyzed the development of vertical velocities at the main fronts of the Alboran Sea using a high-resolution realistic simulation and glider observations. The Western Alboran Gyre Front was found to be amplified by an across-front ageostrophic circulation generated by the intensification of the front and along down-front winds. On the other hand, the Eastern Alboran Gyre Front exhibited a complex pattern of vertical velocities associated with frontal intensification, which resulted from a cold filament advected in the interior of the Mediterranean Sea. The processes responsible for the vertical velocities development were found to be different in the two fronts.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2022)
Article
Oceanography
Nikolaos D. Zarokanellos, Daniel L. Rudnick, Maximo Garcia-Jove, Baptiste Mourre, Simon Ruiz, Ananda Pascual, Joaquin Tintore
Summary: Ocean fronts are important areas for supporting phytoplankton production and the transport of biogeochemical properties. This study used a combination of glider observations, remote sensing, and modeling simulations to study the Almeria-Oran front. The observations revealed spatial and temporal changes in the front and strong horizontal density gradients.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Adele Revelard, Joaquin Tintore, Jacques Verron, Pierre Bahurel, John A. Barth, Mathieu Belbeoch, Jerome Benveniste, Pascal Bonnefond, Eric P. Chassignet, Sophie Cravatte, Fraser Davidson, Brad deYoung, Michelle Heupel, Emma Heslop, Cora Hoerstmann, Johannes Karstensen, Pierre Yves Le Traon, Miguel Marques, Craig McLean, Raul Medina, Theresa Paluszkiewicz, Ananda Pascual, Jay Pearlman, George Petihakis, Nadia Pinardi, Sylvie Pouliquen, Ralph Rayner, Iian Shepherd, Janet Sprintall, Toste Tanhua, Pierre Testor, Jukka Seppaelae, John Siddorn, Soeren Thomsen, Luis Valdes, Martin Visbeck, Anya M. Waite, Francisco Werner, John Wilkin, Ben Williams
Summary: Understanding and managing marine ecosystems requires an integrated approach that considers all relevant components and their interactions across different scales. Despite progress, the ocean observing system still faces barriers due to lack of coordination and competition. This article highlights the need for enhanced organizational integration and provides recommendations for breaking down barriers in order to foster a real transformational change in ocean observing.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Irene Nadal, Simone Sammartino, Jesus Garcia-Lafuente, Jose C. Sanchez Garrido, Juan Gil-Herrera, Manuel Hidalgo, Pilar Hernandez
Summary: This study used a model simulation to determine that the blackspot seabream in the Strait of Gibraltar area is mainly influenced by the Atlantic Jet and tidal modulation in terms of dispersal pathways. The spawning depth in the Strait of Gibraltar is a critical factor for the species.
FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
L. Diaz-Barroso, I Hernandez-Carrasco, A. Orfila, P. Reglero, R. Balbin, M. Hidalgo, J. Tintore, F. Alemany, D. Alvarez-Berastegui
Summary: This study examines the influence of surface dynamics on the distribution of Atlantic bluefin tuna larvae and finds that moderate mixing activity plays a significant role in shaping their spatial-temporal distribution. The results contribute to a better understanding of tuna spawning and early life development within mesoscale dynamics.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
M. Hidalgo, A. E. El-Haweet, A. C. Tsikliras, E. M. Tirasin, T. Fortibuoni, F. Ronchi, V Lauria, O. Ben Abdallah, E. Arneri, L. Ceriola, N. Milone, S. Lelli, P. Hernandez, M. Bernal, M. Vasconcellos
Summary: This study applied a semi-quantitative climate risk assessment to evaluate the risks of climate change on small pelagic and demersal fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea. The results showed that ocean warming, extreme weather events, and changes in vertical stratification were the most important climate drivers. The study revealed that climate drivers pose higher risks to fishing resources and livelihoods compared to fishing operations and wider social and economic impacts. Geographic differences were also observed, with the southeast Mediterranean having higher risk levels for both fisheries. The study discussed potential adaptive measures and implementation concerns to enhance fisheries management in the region.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Cristina Ciercoles, Cristina Garcia-Ruiz, Pere Abello, Manuel Hidalgo, Pedro Torres, Maria Gonzalez, Angel Mateo-Ramirez, Jose Luis Rueda
Summary: This study analyzes the composition, structure, and distribution of decapod crustacean assemblages in the northern Alboran Sea and the Gulf of Vera. Depth and geographical location were found to be the main factors influencing the distribution of decapod species in the study area.
Article
Fisheries
J. Otero, M. Hidalgo
Summary: This study evaluates the influence of life-history traits and the environment on the demography and the response to exploitation and climate for 14 populations of Small pelagic fish (SPF) occurring in the European Atlantic Seas. The results highlight the importance of recruitment for the population growth of SPFs and illustrate how the contribution of recruitment varies among and within populations as a function of environmental conditions and life-history traits defining an ordination of SPFs along a slow-fast continuum with implications for population dynamics and the responses to endogenous and exogenous factors.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Susana Flecha, Diego Rueda, Mercedes de la Paz, Fiz F. Perez, Eva Alou-Font, Joaquin Tintore, Iris E. Hendriks
Summary: This study reports on methane concentrations and air-sea fluxes in the coastal area of the Balearic Islands Archipelago. The results show that methane concentrations in seawater ranged from 2.7 to 10.9 nM during the sampling period, with no significant differences between sampling sites. The estimated methane fluxes varied between 0.2 and 9.7 mu mol m-2 d-1, following a seasonal pattern, and all sites behaved as weak methane sources throughout the sampling period.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Begona Perez Gomez, Ivica Vilibic, Jadranka Sepic, Iva Medugorac, Matjaz Licer, Laurent Testut, Claire Fraboul, Marta Marcos, Hassen Abdellaoui, Enrique Alvarez Fanjul, Darko Barbalic, Benjamin Casas, Antonio Castano-Tierno, Srdan Cupic, Aldo Drago, Maria Angeles Fraile, Daniele A. Galliano, Adam Gauci, Branislav Gloginja, Victor Martin Guijarro, Maja Jeromel, Marcos Larrad Revuelto, Ayah Lazar, Ibrahim Haktan Keskin, Igor Medvedev, Abdelkader Menassri, Mohamed Aissa Meslem, Hrvoje Mihanovic, Sara Morucci, Dragos Niculescu, Jose Manuel Quijano de Benito, Josep Pascual, Atanas Palazov, Marco Picone, Fabio Raicich, Mohamed Said, Jordi Salat, Erdinc Sezen, Mehmet Simav, Georgios Sylaios, Elena Tel, Joaquin Tintore, Klodian Zaimi, George Zodiatis
Summary: This paper maps the coastal sea level monitoring infrastructures and data availability in the Mediterranean and Black seas. The survey includes a description of major monitoring networks, data characteristics, and the existence of ancillary measurements. It also highlights the need for harmonization of data in different repositories. An assessment of the networks' capabilities for different sea level applications is provided as well as recommendations for further development.
Article
Engineering, Ocean
Audrey M. Darnaude, Yael Teff-Seker, Federica Costantini, Susanne Tanner, Anna Sturrock, Lucia Lopez-Lopez, Manuel Hidalgo, Maria Beger, Ant Turkmen, Myron Peck, Filip Volkaert, Ewan Hunter
Summary: SEA-UNICORN is an international research coordination initiative that aims to establish a globally harmonized framework for sustainable blue economy and ocean conservation. It promotes worldwide collaboration among scientists and policymakers by coordinating the collection, sharing, and application of knowledge on marine connectivity.
MARINE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Pablo Lorente, Eva Aguiar, Michele Bendoni, Maristella Berta, Carlo Brandini, Alejandro Caceres-Euse, Fulvio Capodici, Daniela Cianelli, Giuseppe Ciraolo, Lorenzo Corgnati, Vlado Dadic, Bartolomeo Doronzo, Aldo Drago, Dylan Dumas, Pierpaolo Falco, Maria Fattorini, Adam Gauci, Roberto Gomez, Annalisa Griffa, Charles-Antoine Guerin, Ismael Hernandez-Carrasco, Jaime Hernandez-Lasheras, Matjaz Licer, Marcello G. Magaldi, Carlo Mantovani, Hrvoje Mihanovic, Anne Molcard, Baptiste Mourre, Alejandro Orfila, Adele Revelard, Emma Reyes, Jorge Sanchez, Simona Saviano, Roberta Sciascia, Stefano Taddei, Joaquin Tintore, Yaron Toledo, Laura Ursella, Marco Uttieri, Ivica Vilibic, Enrico Zambianchi, Vanessa Cardin
Summary: Due to its unique geographical characteristics, the Mediterranean Sea faces stronger pressures from natural disasters and human activities on its coastal ecosystems than any other sea. High-frequency radar (HFR) technology is an effective tool for monitoring coastal waters in near-real time, providing detailed maps of surface circulation and reliable wave and wind information. The development of a Mediterranean HFR network requires collaboration among different institutions to standardize data and management practices, enabling strategic planning and decision-making.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Emma Reyes, Eva Aguiar, Michele Bendoni, Maristella Berta, Carlo Brandini, Alejandro Caceres-Euse, Fulvio Capodici, Vanessa Cardin, Daniela Cianelli, Giuseppe Ciraolo, Lorenzo Corgnati, Vlado Dadic, Bartolomeo Doronzo, Aldo Drago, Dylan Dumas, Pierpaolo Falco, Maria Fattorini, Maria J. Fernandes, Adam Gauci, Roberto Gomez, Annalisa Griffa, Charles-Antoine Guerin, Ismael Hernandez-Carrasco, Jaime Hernandez-Lasheras, Matjaz Licer, Pablo Lorente, Marcello G. Magaldi, Carlo Mantovani, Hrvoje Mihanovic, Anne Molcard, Baptiste Mourre, Adele Revelard, Catalina Reyes-Suarez, Simona Saviano, Roberta Sciascia, Stefano Taddei, Joaquin Tintore, Yaron Toledo, Marco Uttieri, Ivica Vilibic, Enrico Zambianchi, Alejandro Orfila
Summary: The Mediterranean Sea is a climate-change hot spot, and high-frequency radars (HFRs) have proven to be effective in monitoring surface circulation, waves, and winds in coastal areas. The use of HFRs has enhanced our scientific knowledge of coastal processes and has various applications in maritime safety, extreme hazards, and environmental transport.