Geographical patterns of seabird attendance to a research trawler along the Iberian Mediterranean coast

Authors

  • Pere Abelló Institut de Ciències del Mar, CMIMA (CSIC)
  • José Manuel Arcos Dept. Biologia Animal (Vertebrats), Universitat de Barcelona - Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats IMEDEA
  • Luis Gil Sola Centro Oceanográfico de Fuengirola, IEO

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2003.67s269

Keywords:

seabirds, distribution, trawl survey, western Mediterranean

Abstract


The attendance of seabirds to a research trawler along the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula was monitored during six demersal surveys (MEDITS project). Cruises were performed in late spring during the period 1994-1999. Twenty seabird species were recorded, including both breeders and migrants. The four most common species behind the boat were local breeders, namely the Balearic shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus, Cory´s shearwater Calonectris diomedea, Audouin´s gull Larus audouinii and the yellow-legged gull Larus cachinnans. Most seabirds made use of trawler discards to some extent, with the exception of the Puffin Fratercula arctica. Geographically consistent patterns were identified in the six years surveyed. Seabirds were most abundant along the eastern coast of Iberia, especially off the Ebro Delta and around the Columbretes Islands, coinciding with one of the major areas of primary productivity and one of the largest trawling fleets in the western Mediterranean. The location of the main seabird colonies also influenced the distribution of breeders.

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Published

2003-07-30

How to Cite

1.
Abelló P, Arcos JM, Gil Sola L. Geographical patterns of seabird attendance to a research trawler along the Iberian Mediterranean coast. Sci. mar. [Internet]. 2003Jul.30 [cited 2024Mar.29];67(S2):69-75. Available from: https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/547

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