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In this study, we aimed to examine the status and historical change of trawl fishing fleet in the Foça in the Aegean Sea. The data of the study representing all actively working trawlers in 1998-1999 and 2019 were collected through face-to-face interviews with trawler boat owners in Foca. The questionnaire consisted of questions related to the characteristics of the vessels, fishing activity, socio-demographics of fishers, running costs, annual landings of species and management issues. The study indicated that the annual landings of the main target species significantly decreased over the last two decades. Fishers reported the landings of some species including Dentex gibbosus, Dentex macrophthalmus, Homarus gammarus, Mustelus mustelus, Octopus vulgaris, Parapenaus longirostris, Scomber colias, Scorpaena porcus, Scorpaena scrofa, Spicara smaris, Trachurus spp. and Zeus faber decreased considerably over this period. Over the same period, a decrease was found in the mean length of Merluccius merluccius, Lophius piscatorius and Zeus faber. The vessels’ fuel tank volume and tow duration showed significant increases from 1999 to 2019. The trawl fleet decreased by ~75% from 1999 to 2019 and 55% of the current fishers reported that they may leave the fishery sector within the next 10 years. A change was also determined in the tradition of the sharing system, which is the number of crews paid in shares rather than a fixed salary, significantly decreased. Moreover, the crew numbers from vessel owners’ households significantly decreased. As a result, we discussed the changes, problems, regulations and restrictions related to trawl fishery in Foça, which used to be the most important trawling fishing center of the Aegean twenty years ago. We found dramatic changes in many aspects compared to what it was two decades ago and provided suggestions regarding fisheries management.

The quality index method (QIM) is a widely accepted solution to establish the state of fish freshness quickly and effectively. The present study aims to determine increasingly reliable freshness parameters for fresh and whole Lophius piscatorius stored in ice. Sensory and microbiological analyses were performed on 148 anglerfishes. Sensory evaluations were performed based on the QIM, updating a previously proposed quality index (QI) scheme. Total viable count and specific spoilage organisms were determined through microbiological analyses of the tail musculature, evaluating their correlations with the QI scores over time. The updated QI scheme included 3 characters, namely appearance, eye, and fin, for a total of 18 demerits points. A positive linear correlation between QI score and storage time was observed such that the sensory rejection time (8th day) can be predicted within ± 1 day with the developed scheme. At the sensory rejection point, loads of the spoilage microbial flora were not high enough to be relatable to the appreciated alterations probably due to the anglerfish morphology in which the tail musculature is isolated from the gills and viscera, the main sources of bacterial contamination. The proposed scheme offers a ready-to-use freshness assessment of the anglerfish although further validations are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Understanding population connectivity within a species as well as potential interactions with its close relatives is crucial to define management units and to derive efficient management actions. However, although genetics can reveal mismatches between biological and management units and other relevant but hidden information such as species misidentification or hybridization, the uptake of genetic methods by the fisheries management process is far from having been consolidated. Here, we have assessed the power of genetics to better understand the population connectivity of white (Lophius piscatorius) and its interaction with its sister species, the black anglerfish (Lophius budegassa). Our analyses, based on thousands of genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms, show three findings that are crucial for white anglerfish management. We found (i) that white anglerfish is likely composed of a single panmictic population throughout the Northeast Atlantic, challenging the three‐stock based management, (ii) that a fraction of specimens classified as white anglerfish using morphological characteristics are genetically identified as black anglerfish (L. budegassa), and iii) that the two Lophius species naturally hybridize leading to a population of hybrids of up to 20% in certain areas. Our results set the basics for a genetics‐informed white anglerfish assessment framework that accounts for stock connectivity, revises and establishes new diagnostic characters for Lophius species identification, and evaluates the effect of hybrids in the current and future assessments of the white anglerfish. Furthermore, our study contributes to provide additional evidence of the potentially negative consequences of ignoring genetic data for assessing fisheries resources.

Adult anglerfish conduct annual migrations between spawning areas and feeding areas; for Faroese waters this migration has so far not been described. Therefore, anglerfish migration and distribution in Faroese waters was investigated by mark-recapture studies, including data storage tags, as well as data from scientific trawl surveys, commercial trawlers and gillnetters. The fish distribution was compared to hydrographical conditions such as sea surface- and bottom temperature. A clear seasonal offshore-onshore migration was observed. Anglerfish occupied shallower waters (

Understanding population connectivity within a species as well as potential interactions with its close relatives is crucial to define management units and to derive efficient management actions. However, although genetics can reveal mismatches between biological and management units and other relevant but hidden information such as species misidentification or hybridization, the uptake of genetic methods by the fisheries management process is far from having been consolidated. Here, we have assessed the power of genetics to better understand the population connectivity of white (Lophius piscatorius) and its interaction with its sister species, the black anglerfish (Lophius budegassa). Our analyses, based on thousands of genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms, show three findings that are crucial for white anglerfish management. We found (i) that white anglerfish is likely composed of a single panmictic population throughout the Northeast Atlantic, challenging the three‐stock based management, (ii) that a fraction of specimens classified as white anglerfish using morphological characteristics are genetically identified as black anglerfish (L. budegassa), and iii) that the two Lophius species naturally hybridize leading to a population of hybrids of up to 20% in certain areas. Our results set the basics for a genetics‐informed white anglerfish assessment framework that accounts for stock connectivity, revises and establishes new diagnostic characters for Lophius species identification, and evaluates the effect of hybrids in the current and future assessments of the white anglerfish. Furthermore, our study contributes to provide additional evidence of the potentially negative consequences of ignoring genetic data for assessing fisheries resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean distributions of two species of anglerfish, the blackbellied anglerfish (Lophius budegassa) and the white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius), were analysed from trawl survey data (MEDITS project – Spain, France, Italy and Greece) from 2006 to 2015 implementing a Delta model approach with residuals autocovariate boosted regression trees. Sea bottom temperature (SBT), sea bottom salinity (SBS), bathymetry, slope of the seabed and distance to the coast were considered possible predictors. The results show that the locations with a higher presence, abundance and biomass of L. budegassa are those with a depth range between 150 to 300 m, with an SBT range between 17.5 and 18.5°C, and SBS of 37-38 PSU. Similarly, L. piscatorius shows a higher probability of presence, abundance and biomass in location with a bathymetry range of 200-400 m, an SBT of 17.5°C to 18.5°C and an SBS of 36.5 to 37.5. Our results identify preference habitats for the anglerfishes in the Mediterranean Sea such as the Aegean Sea, the Gulf of Lions, south and southeast Spain and the northwestern Ionian Sea. In general terms, these findings enhance our understanding of the differences in the spatio-temporal distribution of these two species, providing useful information that can help their fisheries management and conservation.

Trypanorhynch cestodes are common parasites of marine fish with complicated life cycles which have been suggested as model taxa to study the evolution of marine helminth parasites and their life cycles. Among the Trypanorhyncha, the genus Grillotia includes 18 valid species, of which only four have been found in Mediterranean fish hosts. Morphological, histopathological, and molecular data are presented on a massive Grillotia plerocercus infection in an anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) from the Tyrrhenian Sea. BLAST analysis of the 28S rDNA sequences revealed 99% similarity between specimens here found and a G. (Bathygrillotia) rowei sequence available in GenBank with a total of six nucleotide site differences. A morphological study suggested that the Grillotia sp. here reported did not match important characters to those previously reported from the Mediterranean Sea. Taking in account these differences, we prefer to place these specimens within Grillotia sensu lato until more material is available for study including sequences from adult specimens of Grillotia spp. from the Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Length weight relationships are presented for five deep‐sea anglerfishes collected from Andaman and Nicobar waters during April 2016 using a 38 m high speed demersal trawl II (HSDT II, crustacean version, codend mesh size 40 mm). The b values ranged from 1.80 to 2.76 and the coefficient of variation (r2) ranged from 0.82 to 0.97. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Samples obtained from 11 teleost fish species collected in waters off of the Mediterranean coasts of Sicily, Italy, were examined for the presence of Hysterothylacium spp. larvae. In total, 3,017 fish samples were examined, and the larvae recovered were used in subsequent phylogenetic studies. Fifty-eight raphidascaridid parasitic nematodes were found in the examined fish, with prevalence values ranging from 0.2% in anchovies to 60% in forkbeard samples. Twenty-seven parasites were identified as Hysterothylacium fabri and Hysterothylacium aduncum by sequencing the following regions: the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COXII). Two other larvae collected from Lophius piscatorius had very low identity scores, with ITS and COXII sequences reported in GenBank and high genetic distances (AY603539). Pairwise comparisons between the ITS region of the H. fabri isolated from fishes from Sicilian coastal waters and those isolated from the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey (KC852206), revealed genetic differences ranging from 0.015 to 0.018. Our H. aduncum samples had very low genetic differences to H. aduncum from the Adriatic Sea (KP979763, 0.00–0.003). The concatenated phylogenetic examination of the ITS-COXII sequences by using maximum likelihood analyses indicated 3 distinct clades supported by high bootstrap values. Further molecular identification and detailed morphological analyses are needed to clarify these results and confirm the diversity and relationships within Hysterothylacium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of emergent visible parasites at commercial valuable fish species is increasingly causing problems at fisheries and seafood industries. Microsporidians have been previously reported to appear forming apparent xenomas complexes in anglerfish species, but no effort has been carried out to simultaneously integrate epidemiological data, phenotypic, genotypic and fine structural characterizations in the same parasite sample. In this work, specimens of Lophius budegassa and Lophius piscatorius from NE Atlantic waters were sampled and examined to provide information about specific site of infection and demographic data of two groups of different sizes of xenomas present at both fish species. Histological descriptions and scanning and transmission electron microscopy were carried out on fresh spores of Lophius budegassa for ultrastructural studies. In both types of xenomas, it was observed simultaneously the microsporidian genus Spraguea in the form of two different types of spores. Molecular analyses of both xenomas from the two fish species, based on the small subunit ribosomal DNA gene, were also performed to genetically support the morphological diagnostic provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproductive parameters of the white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea were studied in 556 specimens collected monthly aboard commercial fishing vessels that were trawling at depths of 12-836 m. The main spawning season occurred from February through June. The size at maturity was estimated to be 48.8 cm in total length (TL) for males, 59.9 cm TL for females, and 51.3 cm TL for both sexes combined. The white anglerfish has group-synchronous oocyte development and determinate fecundity. It is a total spawner (spawns all its eggs once during a spawning season) and has a batch fecundity ranging from 661,647 to 885,214 oocytes, a relative batch fecundity of 66-128 oocytes per gram of female gutted weight, and a potential fecundity with values from 54,717 to 104,506 oocytes per kilogram of female total weight. This study is the first to provide the reproductive biology of white anglerfish in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea and provide valuable information that can be used to improve the stock assessment and ensure proper management of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the feeding ecology of marine organisms is crucial to understanding their ecological roles and advancing our knowledge of marine ecosystem functioning. The aim of this study was to analyse the trophic ecology of two demersal predator species, black anglerfish ( Lophius budegassa ) and white anglerfish ( L. piscatorius ), in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Both species are important in the study area due to their high abundance and economic value, but information about their feeding behaviour is scarce. Here, we described the diet composition and ecological role of these two species, investigating whether trophic segregation exists between them and amongst fish of different sizes. In addition, by using experimental survey data we described the spatial distribution of both species to help us interpret trophic behaviour patterns. We gathered samples of two different sizes (small individuals of a total length <30 cm and large individuals ≥30 cm) of both species and combined stomach content analyses (SCA) and stable isotope analyses (SIA) of nitrogen and carbon with isotopic mixing models. Our results revealed that both anglerfish species are opportunistic predators, showing a diet composed mainly of fishes and, to a lesser extent, of crustaceans, with a small proportion of cephalopods, gastropods, bivalves and echinoderms. We found trophic segregation between the two species and the two sizes, indicating that they feed on different prey, in line with differences in their spatial distribution within the study area. This partial partition of food resources could also be explained by the differences in rhythms of activity that were reported in previous studies. In addition, although both species occupied a high position within the food web, our results showed that white anglerfish individuals and the large-sized fish of both species held higher trophic positions. This study demonstrates the usefulness of complementary approaches for trophic studies and confirms that both anglerfish species play an important role as predators in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea food web. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution and biological features of anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius and L. budegassa) in the Mediterranean Sea were analysed from trawl surveys data (MEDITS project, years 1994-1999). The above-mentioned species were widely distributed in the Mediterranean, but differences in abundance were found according to geographic sectors and depths. Most of the collected specimens belonged to the first length cohorts and length distributions also differed at macro-area levels. Mean sizes at female sexual maturity were estimated at 68.5 cm and 66.2 cm total length, respectively for L. piscatorius and L. budegassa.

The chorion surface ultrastructure of unfertilized eggs of black anglerfish Lophius budegassa and white anglerfish Lophius piscatorius was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Species-specific differences were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Mediterranean Sea, anglerfish Lophius budegassa and Lophius piscatorius support an important fishery, and landings have increased in recent years. These species are infected by the microsporean Spraguea lophii, a parasite that infects their nervous system giving rise to multiple cysts. Due to the high value of these fish and conspicuous nature of the infection, we determined the apparent prevalence of this parasite in both Lophius spp. Specimens were obtained from commercial catches along the NW Mediterranean Sea during 2013. The parasite was observed in the nerves from the peripheral nervous system of the individuals and was detected at the prevalence of 69.2 % (202/292) and 100 % (58/58) in L. budegassa and L. piscatorius, respectively. Non-significant differences were noted between sexes of L. budegassa ( χ = 0.683; p = 0.409), although a positive correlation was noted between host size and prevalence ( χ = 6.134; p = 0.013). During the sampling, two specimens of L. budegassa with atypical morphological characteristics, pigment anomalies and blindness and infected with S. lophii xenomas were described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A portion 160g of fish contributes to the RDA/RDI of essential elements. [•] 49% and 84% of n-3 PUFA RDI achieved with 160g of A. carbo and L. whiffiagonis. [•] Cd and Pb contents in all fish muscle samples were below the EU limit. [•] Consumption of liver from studied fish species must be avoided. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To investigate the reliability of age–length growth estimates of anglerfish Lophius piscatorius in Faroese waters, results from illicia age determination, length frequency and mark-recapture analyses were compared. Features of the illicium, such as the time of deposition and sizes of the benthic and first annual zones, width and the marginal increment progression of the edge were studied in detail. Results showed that the average horizontal diameters of the benthic and first annual zones were 0.18mm (age 0) and 0.32mm (age 1), respectively, and these zones could be identified in anglerfish of any length. There was a strong positive correlation between illicium width and fish length. In transmitted light the edge was usually dark in the winter and light in the summer, and the transition between them took place in May/June. Results from illicia age-readings and length-frequency analysis show that anglerfish in these waters have a very high growth rate during their first years of life (age 0–1, 18.5cmyear−1), after which smaller individuals grow faster than larger fish. Growth rates of fish larger than 35cm in length are comparable to the fastest growth rates in other areas of the North Atlantic. Since the illicia age determinations resulted in growth rates that were consistent with length frequency and mark-recapture analyses, we believe that illicia derived age length keys could be used in age-based assessment of anglerfish in Faroese waters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A microsporidian of the genus Spraguea was found parasitizing the nervous tissues of Lophius piscatorius collected from various localities in the Mediterranean coastal areas of Tunisia. The tissue localization, the infection focus aspect and sporal dimorphism are characteristics of Spraguea lophii species. Molecular data based on partial sequence of SSUrRNA encoding gene shows few nucleotide polymorphisms, compared to all described Spraguea isolates. Molecular karyotype obtained on pulsed field gel electrophoresis (1D-PFGE) shows a profile with 14 stained bands in the range of 230–880kbp and a genome size estimated to 6.700kbp. The rare cutter endonuclease MluI KARD 2-D-PFGE fingerprint shows an extensive chromosome length polymorphism, but the number of chromosome is unchanged and consists of 15 different molecules. The extensive chromosome length polymorphism is associated to a reduced number of genetic events. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) collected from several locations in the southwestern European waters (from southwest of Ireland to northwest of Spain) were examined for the parasitic copepod Chondracanthus lophii in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The influence of host size, time (season, year) and spatial variables (geographical area, depth, latitude and longitude) on the infestation variability was studied. Zero-altered models (ZAMs) and generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to assess the prevalence and intensity of infection related to the variables studied. The variables which proved to have the greatest effects on the infestation were host size and geographical area, while the impact of variables such as year and season turned out to be less evident. Abundance, prevalence and intensity of C. lophii increased with host size. The highest infestation levels were recorded in the West of Ireland and on the Porcupine Bank, and within these areas the parasite load increased with latitude. Prevalence of C. lophii was lower in deep waters. These results suggest that the best conditions for the development of the C. lophii are found in the northernmost areas of the Atlantic Ocean and the host size is the major factor controlling the infestation levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this work is to examine the gross visceral anatomy of ocean sunfish and angler using non-invasive imaging techniques: computed tomography imaging (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Similarities and differences in the internal organisation of these two species are verified. Both species lack a swimbladder and present a significant asymmetry in the hepatic lobes, an elongated bile duct terminating close to the stomach, a compact thyroid embedded in a blood lacuna, and very reduced brain and spinal cord. These observations are important in regard to the close relationships between Tetraodontiformes and Lophiiformes, established by several molecular works, but not yet confirmed by morpho-anatomical data. However the occurrence of these features has to be examined in other taxa before phylogenetic hypotheses are proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study focuses on the lipid composition of angler (Lophius piscatorius) muscle. Distribution of lipid classes and groups and fatty acid composition of neutral and polar lipid fractions corresponding to two edible sites (head and tail) were investigated. Proximate composition and essential and toxic mineral contents were also analysed. Moisture, total lipid and protein contents ranged from 828 to 845, 3.0 to 3.7 and 135 to 170gkg−1 muscle, respectively. Phospholipids were found to be the most abundant lipid group (690–720gkg−1 total lipids) and triacylglycerol presence was very low (3.2–7.7gkg−1 total lipids). The most abundant fatty acid group comprised polyunsaturated fats. In both neutral and polar lipid fractions, 22:6 n-3 was found to be the major fatty acid. Nutritionally valuable high concentrations of Zn and Mn were observed, and As was the most abundant toxic element. Higher protein and trimethylamine oxide values were observed in the tail site, but lower in moisture, sterol and triacylglycerol contents; however, an inhomogeneous muscle distribution could not be demonstrated with regard to total lipids, phospholipids, free fatty acids or α-tocopherol contents. Mean concentrations of essential and toxic elements were higher in the head site in most cases, especially for Zn, Cd, Cr and V. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Comparative trials were carried out to evaluate the performance of the GOV (Grande Ouverture Verticale) survey trawl in relation to a commercial whitefish trawl. The gears were rigged in a twin trawl configuration and a comparison of catch rates suggest that, overall, the differences in performance between the two gears are not great, and vary depending on species and whether the commercial gear is fished with or without a tickler chain. There was no difference in relative catch rate for cod (Gadus morhua) between the commercial gear without a tickler chain and the GOV. However, the commercial gear caught fewer small haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus) and more larger ones; fewer lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) and more plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) of all sizes. The addition of a tickler chain to the commercial gear significantly increased the catch rate of cod (particularly smaller ones), lemon sole and plaice; but had no significant effect on haddock or whiting. Smaller number of other species were also caught and a comparison of catch weights suggests that there is no difference for saithe (Pollachius virens) and hake (Merluccius merluccius), while the commercial net was better for megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) and monkfish (Lophius piscatorius). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cañás, L., Stransky, C., Schlickeisen, J., Sampedro, M. P., and Fariña, A. C. 2012. Use of the otolith shape analysis in stock identification of anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) in the Northeast Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 250–256.The geographical variability in the anglerfish Lophius piscatorius otolith shape was investigated to examine biological evidence for the current separation into Northern and Southern stocks of L. piscatorius established in the Southwest European waters (Southern Shelf area) by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). In all, 629 otoliths of L. piscatorius (12–90 cm total length) from commercial fishing and research surveys were collected in two consecutive years, 2008 and 2009. The otolith shape was compared between stocks for differences in univariate descriptors using non-parametric analysis of covariance, as well as elliptical Fourier shape descriptors, through a metric multidimensional scaling and a linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The differences found in the otolith shape between Northern and Southern stocks were not large enough to hold the current status of L. piscatorius regarding stock definition in the Southern Shelf area, although homogeneous mixing between both stocks is not expected as there were significant differences between three univariate descriptors and the LDA was significant. These results are in agreement with the previous L. piscatorius stock identification studies (genetics, body morphology, and migratory behaviour), which do not support the current separation of these stocks but found substructures within the area. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses a study on sensory constraints in temporal segregation in two species of anglerfish, namely, Lophius (L.) piscatorius and L. budegassa. The study procedure included morphological measurements of the sensory organs of 137 L. piscatorius and 274 L. budegassa, and the removal of the otolith sagittae. The differences between the timing of maximum activity of the two species had a consistency to the differences between their eye size and otolith weight. The article also offers information on the evolution of the visual systems of organisms.

The abundance and distribution of monkfish ( Lophius piscatorius) at Iceland have increased rapidly in the last decade, concurrent with rising seawater temperatures and salinity. These environmental changes seem to have improved the reproductive success of the monkfish stock, and since 1998 large cohorts have recruited almost annually, in great contrast to at least 15 years prior to that. The study indicates that the transition in recruitment could be mediated by the direct effects of expanded nursery and feeding habitat through elevated temperatures. Other factors are likely to be involved, such as a more favourable egg and larval drift resulting from a changed inflow of surface water from spawning to nursery areas. A proportion of the monkfish stock in Icelandic waters may originate from distant areas, either by means of larval drift or active migration of larger fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Velasco, F., Landa, J., Barrado, J., and Blanco, M. 2008. Distribution, abundance, and growth of anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) on the Porcupine Bank (west of Ireland). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1316–1325. This manuscript presents the first results on abundance and distribution of white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) from a series of groundfish surveys carried out on the Porcupine Bank. White anglerfish were caught in all trawlable areas, recruits and juveniles mainly from the shallower parts of the bank, around the central mound and closer to the Irish shelf. A strong cohort was manifest in 2001, and it could be tracked over time by age matrices obtained with illicia age–length keys (ALKs) collected during the surveys. However, a mismatch in the cohort analysis suggests that the growth pattern based on illicia underestimates around three of the younger age classes. Using an ALK estimated numerically from a faster growth model, this mismatch disappears, which seems to confirm faster growth. Recruits of the 0-group and adults of age 4 (with the faster growth: ca. ∼57–65 cm) dominated, whereas the intermediate age groups were scarce on the bank. These results and recent findings from tag-and-recapture experiments suggest that white anglerfish move to and from the Porcupine Bank, calling into question the stock boundaries currently accepted for the species in the North Atlantic. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Laurenson, C. H., Dobby, H., McLay, H. A., and Leslie, B. 2008. Biological features of the Lophius piscatorius catch in Scottish waters. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1281–1290. Here, data on 50 265 Lophius piscatorius sampled between 1998 and 2006 on board commercial fishing vessels during observer trips and chartered surveys at Shetland, west of Scotland, and Rockall are analysed. In each area, length differed significantly with depth (p < 0.001), there was an increase in modal size with increasing depth down to 450 m, and large fish dominated hauls in deeper water. The sex ratio of all data combined was 0.88 females:1 male, but it varied by area, depth, and season, with males greatly outnumbering females in deep water west of Scotland during the first quarter of the year. The proportion at length that were female differed significantly with depth, and the highest proportions of mature fish were in deep water at Rockall and west of Scotland. L50% maturities, for all data combined, were 102.4 cm for females and 58.3 cm for males. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Azevedo, M., Duarte, R., Cardador, F., Sousa, P., Fariña, C., Sampedro, P., Landa, J., and Costas, G. 2008. Application of dynamic factor analysis in the assessment of Iberian anglerfish stocks. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1362–1369. Dynamic factor analysis (DFA) was applied to six time-series of catch per unit effort data of the Iberian (ICES Divisions VIIIc and IXa) white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) and black anglerfish (L. budegassa). Results showed that grouping the abundance indices reflected the fleet's area of exploitation and fish size selection. Two common trends (CTs) were extracted for each species, capturing the main signal of abundance over time. The white anglerfish was assessed using these CTs as input to the biomass dynamic model currently used in the ICES assessment, to investigate whether the approach would reduce the uncertainty in parameter estimates and related quantities. Using the CTs, bias estimates are lower. The current perception of an overexploited stock is unchanged, but a much lower intrinsic rate of biomass increase was estimated, indicating that the biomass recovery might be much slower. A lower maximum sustainable yield, ∼3600 t, was obtained, and this is more consistent with the historical landings trajectory. The application of DFA to stock assessment of anglerfish, presented here for the first time, can be extended to age-based assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Laurenson, C. H., Dobby, H., and McLay, H. A. 2008. The Lophius budegassa component of monkfish catches in Scottish waters. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1346–1349. To date, research efforts on Lophius species in waters around Scotland (ICES Divisions IVa, VIa, and VIb) have focused almost exclusively on Lophius piscatorius. Here, the characteristics and distribution of the Lophius budegassa component of the catch are described using data collected by observers during commercial fishing trips and scientific surveys on chartered commercial fishing vessels between 1998 and 2006. At Rockall Bank (VIb), L. budegassa were rare, just 0.1% of the catch of Lophius spp., whereas west of Scotland (VIa) and around the Shetland Islands (IVa), they made up 18 and 2% of catches, respectively, with greatest prevalence towards the shelf edge. Fish length ranged from 16 to 89 cm with a modal length at 40 cm. Greater proportions of large individuals were recorded around the Shetland Islands than in other parts of the study area. Overall, the sex ratio was 1:1, and lengths at 50% maturity were estimated to be 70.4 cm for females and 49.4 cm for males. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Díaz, P., Santos, J., Velasco, F., Serrano, A., and Pérez, N. 2008. Anglerfish discard estimates and patterns in Spanish Northeast Atlantic trawl fisheries. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1350–1361. Estimates of Spanish bottom trawl discards of anglerfish Lophius budegassa and Lophius piscatorius in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean are presented. Both species are commercially valuable in ICES Subareas VI and VII, and Divisions VIIIc and IXa. Information was obtained from observers on board during discard-monitoring programmes. Raising by effort, rather than by landings and target species, was used to determine the total annual discards by weight and number, the discard percentage, and the discard length distribution by stock throughout the dataseries. By weight and number, discards varied interannually, ranging from 4 to 600 t (∼28 000–7 000 000 fish) in northern stocks of anglerfish, and from 1 to 100 t (∼20 000–400 000 fish) in southern stocks. The discard percentage for both species and northern and southern stocks therefore ranged between 2 and 76% by number. Length distributions of the discarded anglerfish show that most were juveniles, although the pattern differed in years with high or with low rates of discarding. The number of juveniles caught apparently increased in most areas after 2000. Correlations between the quantities discarded and recruitment indices from French and Irish trawl surveys were found for northern stocks and with Spanish trawl survey indices for southern stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Within the frame of an international tagging program which has been carried out since 1995, movements of black and white anglerfish (Lophius budegassa and L. piscatorius) in Southern European waters were studied. This is the first large-scale study on movements of tagged black anglerfish. A total of 877 black anglerfish (6–88cm total length) and 1326 white anglerfish (15–137cm total length) were tagged. Times at liberty ranged from 1 to 665 days, with recapture rates of 21 (2.4%) and 50 (3.8%), respectively. A description of our tagging procedures is presented, together with the influences of the gear used, fish length and area of tagging on recapture rates. The type of fishing gear was the main factor affecting recapture rates. Fish length was neither related to the displacement distance nor to the time at liberty while the displacement distance was related to the time at liberty. Recapture locations suggested that movements occurred both in- and offshore. The largest displacement recorded was 408km of a black anglerfish from southern to northern Bay of Biscay. The movements of the anglerfish indicate a mixing between northern and southern populations which may have strong implications for the current geographical boundaries of the stocks from a management perspective. Here, movement of white anglerfish between the Le Danois Bank and the Cantabrian continental shelf is reported for the first time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Landa, J., Duarte, R., and Quincoces, I. 2008. Growth of white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) tagged in the Northeast Atlantic, and a review of age studies on anglerfish. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 72–80.Growth of white anglerfish was estimated from the results of a tagging study in south European waters. In all, 1326 fish, caught by bottom trawl and gillnet commercial vessels and on trawl surveys, were tagged from 1995 to 2004; 50 were recovered, and a growth rate of 13.6 cm year−1 was estimated from the four fish at liberty long enough to allow extrapolation of the growth rate to an annual period. Growth patterns were reviewed based on available studies of growth verification of white anglerfish in Atlantic waters, including another tag-recapture study, length-frequency of catches, and microstructure analysis of hard parts. The growth rate estimated from these studies showed many similarities, and an overall growth pattern was estimated: growth rate = 18.24e–0.015length. A von Bertalanffy growth curve fitted to all data yielded the parameter values L∞ = 140 cm and k = 0.11. This growth rate is faster than estimated recently using illicia for age estimation, but similar to that found in the first studies that used illicia and sectioned otoliths. Current estimates of growth based on illicia, which are used in assessing the northern European stock of white anglerfish, seem to be underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Embryo development over a 5 day period are shown and described from a rare find of anglerfish Lophius piscatorius spawn that was obtained at the Shetland Islands, U.K. The stage of development shown is earlier than that previously available for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In order to investigate the relative importance of historical processes and life-history traits in shaping the present-day genetic structure of European anglerfishes, 382 Lophius piscatorius and 134 Lophius budegassa were sequenced on the 5’ end of the mitochondrial control region. Both species showed a limited genetic structure and some evidence of a demographic expansion that probably occurred not at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum, but earlier in the Pleistocene. The main discrepancy between the two anglerfishes concerned the genetic structure between Atlantic and Mediterranean populations, with weak but significant differentiation observed only in L. budegassa. This genetic structure was congruent with the existence of a phylogeographical break previously reported in several marine species across the Almeria–Oran front. The contrast observed between both anglerfishes was supposed to be induced by a possible more ancient (re)colonisation of the Mediterranean Sea by L. budegassa. Finally, the limited genetic structure and lack of isolation by distance observed in both species suggested high larval dispersal capacities that probably overwhelm the influence of the bathymetric distribution range on migrations of adults and juveniles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents the results of an investigation on the occurrence of alkylphenols (APs) and their ethoxylates (APEs) in 8 edible marine species from the Adriatic Sea and tries to estimate the corresponding intake for the Italian population. Two crustaceans, Nephrops norvegicus (Norway lobster) and Squilla mantis (spottail mantis shrimp), plus six fish species, Engraulis enchrascicolus (anchovy), Scomber scombrus (Atlantic mackerel), Merluccius merluccius (European hake), Mullus barbatus (red mullet), Solea vulgaris (common sole) and Lophius piscatorius (angler) were analyzed for their content of nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP) and octylphenol polyethoxylates (OPEs). These compounds were found in all analysed samples. NP was detected at the highest concentrations: 118–399 and 9.5–1431ngg−1 fresh weight (fw) respectively in crustaceans and fish. OP was found at respective levels of 2.7–4.7 and 0.3–3.8ngg−1 fw in crustaceans and fish, whereas OPE was determined at respective concentrations of 1.2–16.8 and 0.2–21.1ngg−1 fw in the same species. These results, together with those from a previous study on 4 edible mollusc, allow to estimate respective daily intakes for NP, OP, and OPE of about 12, 0.1, and 0.1μgday−1 for an Italian adult living along the Adriatic Coast. In relation to NP and OP, these intakes are much lower than the doses associated with toxic effects in laboratory animals (9mgkg−1 bw for rats). Nevertheless, data of exposure from other sources to these chemicals and others with similar biological characteristics are needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study concerns the biology and growth of the species Lophius budegassa from data obtained on annual spring cruises from 1994 to 2002. The black anglerfish had a very wide distribution, appearing in all surveyed zones from depths of 15 to 757m but with greater abundance between 100 and 500m. Sexual segregation by depth was observed, since the male proportion increased with depth. The length–weight relationship was negatively allometric, with growth curves being different for males and females. The parameters of the specialized von Bertalanffy growth model were estimated by two methods: length frequency analysis on a distribution composed of 1301 individuals, and age readings of the 170 first rays of the dorsal fin (illicia) sections collected between 1994 and 1998. Other growth models such as generalized von Bertalanffy, Richards, logistic, Gompertz and Schnute, were fitted. The results obtained are compared with previous studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Movement and growth of Lophius piscatorius were investigated around the Shetland Islands, UK, in a tagging study when a total of 1768 trawl caught fish was tagged using conventional dart tags and released on inshore fishing grounds during the autumn of 2000 and the summer of 2001. This is the first tagging study to have been undertaken on the species in UK waters and for the first time provides actual growth data for the northern monkfish stock. Monkfish of between 25 and 83cm total length were tagged. The overall recapture rate was 4.5% and times at liberty ranged from 5 to 1078 days. Recapture positions of 35% of individuals were less than 25km from the release positions, with some recaptures close to release positions after periods of more than 1 year. Recapture locations of some individuals indicated movements between inshore grounds. During the late autumn and winter recapture locations suggested that a general offshore migration towards the shelf edge had occurred. The largest displacement recorded was 876km with movement being from the release location at Shetland to a fishing ground at the south east of Iceland, another recapture occurred close to Faroe. This suggests that these individuals had crossed the Faroe–Shetland Channel. This is of particular importance as it may indicate a wider mixing of stocks. Growth of recaptured fish averaged 9.4cmyear-1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Marine fishes from several locations along the west coast of Norway were examined for trypanosome infections. In total, 1640 fishes representing 63 species and 33 families were examined for trypanosome infections. Of these, 19 species of teleosts from eight families were found to be infected, mostly benthic codfish and flatfish in addition to Chelidonichthys gurnardus (L.) and Lophius piscatorius L. Trypanosomes in all fish species appeared to belong to a single form, considered identical to a trypanosome transmitted by the leech Calliobdella nodulifera (Malm, 1863). In the fjords near Bergen, west Norway, trypanosome infections appeared to be restricted to fishes caught deeper than 50 m, probably reflecting a limited bathymetric distribution of the leech vector. Available evidence suggests that the trypanosome parasitaemias decline and become undetectable in a year or less. Despite this, prevalence appeared unaffected by fish size in some species and increased with length in some slow growing species. The latter observations suggest that repeated infections occur, signifying that acquired immunity does not protect against re-infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situbehaviour of anglerfishLophius piscatoriuswas observed by a remotely operated vehicle(ROV) in the vicinity of the Schiehallion oil field to the west of the Shetland Isles, Scotland at water depthsc. 350 m. Several behaviour patterns associated with the‘sit-and-wait’ feeding strategy ofL. piscatoriuswere identified and are described. Concealment behaviour was characterized by recess creation using pectoral and pelvic fins. Sit-and-wait and resting behaviour was typified by relaxed dorsal fin rays and a 34 s exhalation rate. Prey detection responses had a range ofc. 5 m and were identified by erection of the fin rays and a reduction in the exhalation rate to once every 65 s. Prey attraction was characterized by lure(illicia) casting, erect dorsal rays and was dependant on both the proximity and position of potential prey. An opportunistic feeding attack is also described. Walking behaviour was also recorded and is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial tangle nets used for capturing monkfish were employed in an experiment designed to study the fishing pattern by tangle nets that are lost at sea, a phenomenon commonly known as ‘ghost’ fishing. To simulate lost nets, 27 fleets of tangle nets were deployed on soft bottoms in the Cantabrian Sea shelf at depths between 117 and 135 m. Nets were recovered at intervals of 1–12 months and their catches recorded (composition, abundance, size, biomass, preservation state) in two trials, measuring seasonal changes in catch rates. A fleet of tangle nets was operated following commercial procedures next to the abandoned nets, providing simultaneous estimates of commercial catch rates.Monkfish (Lophius budegassa and Lophius piscatorius) dominated the fish catches in abandoned tangle nets (81%). In summer–fall conditions, abandoned nets showed after 135 days catch rates similar to those simultaneously recorded for commercial nets (respectively, 0.18 and 0.22 specimens per 100 m of netting), but ceased to capture monkfish after 224 days. In spring–summer conditions, monkfish catches were negligible in abandoned experimental nets and lower in the commercial nets than in the previous trial. The pattern of extended catch rates observed in tangle nets abandoned in deep water differed from studies using abandoned gill and trammel nets in shallow waters, which typically cease to capture fish much sooner. Total monkfish catches by abandoned tangle nets were estimated through a cumulative catch model to be 17.7 kg (4.7 specimens) per 100 m of netting. Multiplying this value by the estimated number of tangle nets lost annually by the Cantabrian Sea fishing fleet, it was estimated that 18.1 t of monkfish are captured annually by abandoned nets. This represents 1.46% of the commercial landings of these species in the Cantabrian Sea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Marginal and edge state analysis was carried out on sagitta otoliths and illicia of white anglerfish taken from ICES Sub-area VI and Division IVa between April 1999 and September 2000. This demonstrated that an annulus comprised a multi-ring opaque zone and a wide translucent zone. Narrow translucent zones within the wide opaque zones were found to be significantly narrower than the translucent zones separating them, suggesting that these were false rings. Opaque material was predominantly deposited during the summer months (July–September) and translucent material during the winter (December–February). Precision of increment readings was tested from repeated increment counts of the calcified structures. This indicated that the most consistent age readings came from sagitta otoliths sectioned through the sagittal plane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BSTRACT: Identification of Lophius budegassa(black-bellied angler) and L. piscatorius(angler) (Lophiiformes) was carried out on the amplification of a 486 bp tRNAGlu/cytochrome b segment using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Direct DNA sequencing of 6 PCR products was carried out. Six restriction endonucleases ( AluI, CfoI, HaeIII, HinfI, Mae, and ScrFI) with different species-specific restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were selected. Digestions of PCR products from 30 individuals showed no intraspecific polymorphism. Double digestions ( CfoI and HinfI, and HaeIII and ScrFI) were simpler and more rapid than single digestions. This technique is suitable for distinguishing tails of both Lophius species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microincrements in the lapilli otoliths of Lophius piscatorius L. were used to validate the age of fish <27 cm TL collected in spring and autumn. Contrary to published estimates of size at age based on illicia by Dupouy et al. (1986) and Duarte et al. (1997), these small specimens were found to be either 0- or 1-group. Comparison between the macrostructures of illicia and sagittae indicated that a translucent zone is formed in the illicia of most 0-group by autumn but not in sagittae. Hence, earlier estimates of small size at age may have arisen from incorrect interpretation of the time of first translucent zone formation in illicia. In addition to enabling age validation, microstructure provided a means of distinguishing between the translucent material that forms false rings and annuli. Annuli appeared as a sequence of gradually declining increment widths whereas false rings were characterized by an abrupt check in otolith formation followed by increments similar in width to adjacent opaque material. The implications of these findings to age reading and interpretation are discussed.Copyright 2002 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]