1. The distribution of subarctic and boreal deep-sea demersal fish assemblages across environmental gradients of the northwest Atlantic.
- Author
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Cote D, Sutton J, Roul S, Murua H, Gonzales F, Alpoim R, and Angnatok J
- Subjects
- Animals, Biomass, Newfoundland and Labrador, Atlantic Ocean, Ecosystem, Climate, Fishes
- Abstract
The oceanography of the Labrador Sea is well studied because of its globally important deep-water convection that oxygenates the deep ocean and drives climate-regulating ocean currents. However, little is known about the fish communities that inhabit this area, particularly beyond the depths accessible to standard research surveys and commercial fishing activities. We used baited longline surveys to characterize important components of demersal fish communities across a depth gradient of 200-3000 m and compared these data to a similar dataset collected c. 1200 km to the south in the Flemish Cap Region. We found demersal fish communities in the Labrador Sea to be similar to those of the Flemish Cap Region despite unique oceanography and lower primary productivity in the Labrador Sea. Moreover, both areas had high abundance, biomass, and species richness at intermediate depths that suggests factors beyond depth drive community structure in the deep ocean. These data are important for identifying high-value areas for potential protective measures in the northwest Atlantic and provide necessary data with which to assess potential environmental impacts of extractive industries that are expanding north and to deeper waters., (© 2023 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and The Authors. Journal of Fish Biology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Fisheries Society of the British Isles. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.)
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
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