FP6 - SARDONE project
Programme: FP 6
Project Title: Improving assessment and management of small pelagic species in the Mediterranean
Acronym: Sardone
Duration: 2007-2010
Total Budget : € 1.100.000
Web site: http://www.ismaran.it/ismaran/projects/sardone/wwwsardone/parts.htm
Summary: SARDONE is a multidisciplinary project. It's aim is to go into the biological and ecological characteristics of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus). Both these species are of main importance from an economic point of view for many Mediterranean countries. Besides that, the ecological role of these small pelagics has been often highlighted. The main subject of this project will be post-larvae and juveniles of both species.
Acoustic surveys will be carried out to get information about juvenile distribution and abundance in order to identify nursery areas. A pelagic net of 3 mm mesh size will be used: sensors will be set on the net to control the opening during the trawl. Age reading and stomach contents of the samples will be performed. Finally, selectivity studies will be carried out and new stock assessment methodology, coming from the Atlantic management measures, will be experimented.
Objectives:
- To find out nursery areas for anchovy and sardine;
- to develop and standardize acoustic methodologies in order to evaluate the distribution and abundance of post-larvae and juveniles;
- to evaluate the effect of the fisheries on post-larvae and juveniles;
- to increase the knowledges on the ecology of the first stages by the means of growth rate, feeding patterns and recruitment success;
- to improve the net selectivity, in order to protect the immature stages;
- to apply Atlantic stock assessment models to the Mediterranean species.
Contact person in ISMAR: e.arneri@ismar.cnr.it
Partnership:
- Departament de Recursos Marins Renovables Institut de Ciències del Mar - Spain
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research Insitute of Marine Biological Resources – Greece
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer IFREMER - France
- Marine Research Unit - Spain
- Istituto nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale – OGS – Italy
- National Research Council CNR/ISMAR - Italy
