D1.2 SUMMER background knowledge available in open access

The SUMMER project will explore recent findings that suggest that the global ocean’s mesopelagic zone contains 90 % of the planet’s fish biomass. Even if this is correct by only a fraction of this value, the exploitation potential in fishmeal production, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals is enormous. However, as the role of mesopelagic fish in pelagic ecosystems is not well understood, it is necessary to first establish methods to accurately estimate their biomass, taxonomic/functional diversity, contribution to the global carbon cycle and potential as a sustainable fishery. Using state-of-the-art tools (e.g. eDNA, acoustics and gut analysis), SUMMER will also investigate environmental repercussions of such exploitation, and quantify the impact of commercial extraction on pelagic ecosystems. This deliverable reports on the outcomes of Task 1.2: “Assemble relevant research outputs from research”. It addresses the second objective of Work Package 1, which is to compile background knowledge suitable to contributing to the scientific objectives of the SUMMER project. In total, 160 literature and 200 data references were identified, covering topics on mesopelagic resources with a focus on taxa specific biomass and community composition. The references and links are provided as Excel table and reference database in .ris format in open access. Ca. 1 TB of historical echosounder, abundance and biomass data were published in open access under this task via the databases PANGAEA and NMDC.