Modelled distributions of ten demersal elasmobranchs of the eastern English Channel in relation to the environment

Type Article
Date 2012-05
Language English
Author(s) Martin Corinne1, Vaz SandrineORCID1, Ellis J. R.2, Lauria Valentina1, Coppin Franck1, Carpentier Andre1
Affiliation(s) 1 : IFREMER, Inst Frangais Rech Exploitat Mer, Marine Fisheries Resource Lab, F-62321 Boulogne, France.
2 : Cefas, Ctr Environm Fisheries & Aquaculture Sci, Lowestoft Lab, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, Suffolk, England.
Source Journal Of Experimental Marine Biology And Ecology (0022-0981) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2012-05 , Vol. 418 , P. 91-103
DOI 10.1016/j.jembe.2012.03.010
WOS© Times Cited 34
Keyword(s) Channel Ground Fish Survey, Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii, GLM, Grande Ouverture Verticale, Trawl survey
Abstract Generalised Linear Models, combined with a Geographic Information System, were used to map the habitats of ten demersal elasmobranch taxa (five skates, four sharks and a stingray) in the eastern English Channel, based on an annual fishery-independent bottom trawl survey conducted each October, and covering 21 years. Habitat models showing mean density levels were developed for the most frequently occurring species, whilst binomial occurrence habitat models were built for less frequent species. The main predictors of elasmobranch habitats in the eastern English Channel were depth, bed shear stress and salinity, followed by seabed sediment type and temperature. Habitat maps highlighted contrasting habitat utilisation across species. Raja clavata, and to a lesser extent Scyliorhinus canicula, showed ontogenetic differences in habitat utilisation, with early life history stages found in shallow coastal waters, sheltered from strong tidal currents and typically with softer sediments. Spatial segregation by sex was also evident for S. canicula, with females found at higher densities on some harder grounds in the study area. An improved knowledge of habitat utilisation by elasmobranchs (particularly for important life history stages and all seasons) is required if spatial management is to be considered for these species. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Full Text
File Pages Size Access
13 2 MB Access on demand
Author's final draft 43 1 MB Open access
Top of the page

How to cite 

Martin Corinne, Vaz Sandrine, Ellis J. R., Lauria Valentina, Coppin Franck, Carpentier Andre (2012). Modelled distributions of ten demersal elasmobranchs of the eastern English Channel in relation to the environment. Journal Of Experimental Marine Biology And Ecology, 418, 91-103. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2012.03.010 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00086/19730/