MESOMED

Marine Environment and Sustainable-fisheries: Observation-Model in the Northern West Mediterranean Sea

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Impacts of climate change and human fisheries on marine environment and resources are focused topics associated with our living environment and sustainability of economy. To protest marine resources, we are seeking to develop 1) quantitative estimates of distributions and production rates of biota, and 2) predictive models for changes by an interdisciplinary approach integrating physical–chemical–biological–socioeconomic processes, and sensor–model development. We are targeting the Gulf of Lions (GoL) in the Mediterranean Sea, and intend to reach the goals: 1) to understand the transport–retention and population dynamics of zooplankton and fish larvae in the GoL, 2) to synthesize our findings with climate change and fisheries, and 3) to apply our results to marine resource management and policy making. These studies will be conducted in both laboratories and field in the GoL by developing sensor packages and models including: 1) A towed physical and biological sensor package, 2) Size (biomass) spectrum mathematical models and theories, and 3) Ecosystem models. Drs. Zhou and Carlotti will form the team consisting of young Ph.D. students and post-doc scientists, and will cooperate with colleagues in LOB to ensure a long term cooperative relationship. The success of this project will significantly improve: 1) The capability to conduct surveys in multiple disciplines at high spatial and temporal scales for addressing interdisciplinary questions, and to model in situ rates and interdisciplinary processes; 2) The capacity to conduct surveys in larger areas, and more frequently, to respond to events, and to produce data products in shorter time because the automatic data acquisition, developed codes for data processing and analysis, and models for process studies; and 3) Integration between in situ observations and models link scientific results from laboratory and field with marine resource management and conservation, and with policy making.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Europe's marine ecosystems are under threat from fishing and climate change. An EU-funded project discovered that protecting and preserving this fragile environment requires a detailed knowledge of the dynamics and processes at play.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Climate change and intensive fishing practices are having an enormous impact on the marine environment. Formulating effective and timely responses and interventions requires in-depth understanding of the magnitude of the problem and the dynamic processes at play. There is also a need for models that can forecast what will happen under various scenarios.

Financed by the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the MESOMED initiative sought to bring about a better understanding of the marine environment, particularly the north-western Mediterranean. Researchers investigated the distribution and production rates of biota, and predictive models for future changes.

MESOMED sought to deepen understanding of the transport and population dynamics of zooplankton and fish larvae in the Gulf of Lions (GoL). It developed three sensor packages: an integrated laser optical plankton counter fluorometer (which measures fluorescence), an integrated towed Acrobat platform fluorometer, and an integrated laser in situ scattering and transmissometery fluorometer.

The measuring devices were deployed in three locations: at a station in the bay of Marseille, on a ship cruising the GoL in the Mediterranean, and on another vessel in Antarctica.

Project partners also developed a number of models, including ecosystem-sized spectrum models for optical plankton counters, a growth rate model for zooplankton and a plankton trophic dynamics model.

The project will not only further understanding of how human activity affects marine life, it will also enhance the capacity and capability scientists to conduct multidisciplinary, large-scale surveys.