Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis Ireland

Transcription

1 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis Ireland Coastal & Marine Resources Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Ireland. Trish Clayton September 23

2 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis 2. Introduction The aim of the Bioanalysis workpackage is to analyse the differences in developed and undeveloped sites to compare biodiversity, growth, fecundity and trohpic interactions between organisms in sites before and after aquacultural development. The data gathered during the Aqcess project and presented in the three annual Biodata reports will be analysed. However the CMRC was not engaged in the primary role of collecting data, instead data relevant to the Biodata and Bioanalysis workpackages was obtained from other agencies. Data was obtained for Ireland as well as for the study sites. Figure. below shows the Irish study sites. Both sites are located in southwest Ireland. Each site has a number of fishing ports, with a nationally important whitefish port in each site (Castletownbere in the Bantry Bay site and Dingle in the Dingle peninsula site). Aquaculture is also prominent in both sites. Bantry Bay has intensive mussel and salmon farms, while in the Dingle peninsula site extensive oyster and mussel beds are prominent. South west Kerry (Dingle) Bantry Bay Figure. The Irish study sites.

3 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis 3 2. Survey & Sampling Methods/ Statistical Protocol 2. Fish Landings Fish landings are recorded onboard fishing vessels in logbooks. DCMNR personnel are located in fishing ports around the country, and landings are monitored and checked against the recorded landings. Landings records are then sent to a centralised database in Dublin. This information is then passed onto State Agencies such as BIM, and is used in calculating quotas and also provides information on fishing effort and activity. Salmon landings are recorded by the CFB. 2.2 Aquaculture Production Aquaculture production is compiled by BIM (The Irish Sea Fisheries Board). Data is obtained from the aquaculture farms around the country. This includes the amount of the various species produced, the value of the species produced. Staff numbers have also been included in recent years but this was not available for the time series data. 2.3 Time Series Analysis Initially the data was plotted using LOESS smoothing curves in the S-Plus statistics package. This was applied to all time series data (fish landings, no. of fishermen, no. of fishing boats, salmon landings, and aquaculture production). Using the Brodgar statistical package, MAFA (min/max autocorrelation factor analysis) was carried out on the time series data. MAFA is a type of principal component analysis for time series data, and is a method for extracting trends from multiple time series and also index functions from time series. 2.4 FAT s Data Fisheries Assessment Technician s are employed by the Marine Institute and work in five of the fishing ports around the Irish coast. Two technicians are based in Castletownbere in Bantry bay and these technicians also cover the ports in the Dingle peninsula site. Fisheries Assessment Technicians are responsible for collection of data on stocks of commercial importance. This involves monthly sea trips on local fishing vessels, measuring commercial landings, liaison and exchange of information with the fishing industry in the five major ports, but also in smaller ports in their region.

4 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis 4 Fishing methods varied over the sampling period, depending on the gear used by the different fishing vessels. The samples taken on board were a sample of the total catch from the trip. The number of boxes sampled depended on time available. At least one box was sampled per trip. In most cases measured only data was recorded, i.e. the length of the fish to the nearest cm. On nine sampling dates, length and weight samples were taken (Herring, Haddock, Megrim, Mackerel), with sex and maturity recorded for Herring, taken on 5 sampling dates. 2.5 Flatfish Survey A beach seine survey was carried out at 2 beaches around the Dingle peninsula in June 2 and at 9 beaches in September 2. The sites examined in 2 included nine sites from 2 with an additional ten sites Gear A standard net was used which was modified for catching flatfish. The net was 2 metres long by 2 metres high, with.5mm nylon knot-less mesh. Twenty-eight floats of 25cc were used, together with floats in the middle of 39cc. The footrope contained leaded weights. The head- and foot- ropes were mm diameter, with 4m bridals coming off each corner. A tickler chain was also added to the footrope, made up of 3/8-inch chain. 5 metres of heavy-duty rope (6mm) were attached to each of the bridles Shooting At each station, the net was loaded into the boat, with one bridle retained on the shore. When the rope end was reached the net was payed out and the boat returned to the shore feeding out the other rope. This ensured that the net was shot the same way and at the same distance from shore at each of the 6 stations Hauling The net was hauled slowly and evenly. Care was taken when hauling the net to ensure the footrope remained in contact with the seabed to minimise escapes. Sampling was carried out on the rising tide. Times of the tows were recorded on the sample sheets.

5 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis 5 3. Results 3. Fish Landings 3.. Irish Landings The following figures represent data collected for Ireland for use in the time series analysis. Data available at a national level for 98-2 includes total fish landings, landings by sector (demersal, pelagic and shellfish), no. employed in the fishing industry; data for 99-2 includes no. of boats, salmon landings, and no. of salmon licences Figure.2a Total Irish Landings Figure.2b Demersal Landings Figure.2c Pelagic Landings Figure.2d Shellfish Landings

6 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis Figure.2e No. Employed in Fishing Figure.2f No. of Boats Figure.2g Salmon Landings Figure.2h Salmon Licences 3..2 Bantry Bay site Landings There are four ports within the Bantry study site, Bantry, Castletownbere, Glengarriff and Garinish/ Travara. The following figures represent the total landings and landings by sector. Salmon landings are also presented but are not for the study site, but for Cork County as a whole.

7 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis Figure.3a Total Landings Figure.3b Demersal Landings Figure.3c Pelagic Landings Figure.3d Shellfish Landings Figure.3e Salmon Landings, Co. Cork

8 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis Dingle site Landings There are seven ports in the Dingle site. The figures below represent the total landings and landings by sector. Salmon landings are for Co. Kerry Figure.4a Dingle Total Landings Figure.4b Demersal Landings Figure.4c Pelagic Landings Figure.4d Shellfish Landings Figure.4e Salmon Landings, Co. Kerry

9 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis Aquaculture Production Aquaculture production data is presented below from Data for the individual species is also available for the same time period Figure.5a Aquaculture Production Figure.5b Shellfish Production Figure.5c Finfish Production Figure.5d Rope Mussel Production Figure.5e Bottom Mussel Production Figure.5f Gigas Oyster Production

10 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis Figure.5g Edulis Oyster Production Figure.5h Salmon Production 3.3 Time Series Analysis MAF s were applied to the time series data for the fishing industry (landings, no.of boats, no. of fishermen, wild salmon landings and no. of salmon licences) and aquaculture production Scores Scores Time Time Canonical correlations axis Ireland Employed IRL Dingle site Bantry site Commercial Salmon Licences Wild Salmon Canonical correlations axis Ireland Bantry site Dingle site Employed IRL Boats IRL Wild Salmon Commercial Salmon Licences Boats IRL - - Figure. 6 Results of the MAFA for the fishing activity. Upper left is first MAF. Upper right is second MAF. Lower left is canonical correlation for MAF. Lower right is canonical correlation for MAF 2.

11 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis Scores.2 Scores Time Time Canonical correlations axis Rope Mussel Gigas Oyster Salmon Native/Edulis Oyster Bottom Mussel Canonical correlations axis Rope Mussel Bottom Mussel Native/Edulis Oyster Salmon Gigas Oyster - - Figure.7 Results of MAFA for aquaculture productivity. Upper left is MAF. Upper right is MAF 2. Lower left is canonical correlation for MAF. Lower right is canonical correlation for MAF FAT s Data Length distributions for 4 species were displayed in the Year 2 Annual Report. Lengths were then plotted according to the month of the sampling date. This data is presented below for eight species: Cod, Haddock, Hake, Herring, Lophius budegassa, Lophius piscatorius, Megrim and Whiting. This not only provides an indication of when these fish are targeted by the fishermen, but also the size of the fish at different times of the year.

12 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis February April June Figure.8a Cod Length (cm) November December February April June Length (cm) Figure.8b Haddock January April June August October November Length (cm) Figure.8c Hake

13 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis October January February Length (cm) Figure.8d Herring November December April Figure.8e Lophius budegassa Length (cm) November December April Length (cm) Figure.8f Lophius piscatorius

14 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis November December January April August Length (cm) Figure.8g Megrim November December January February April June Length (cm) Figure.8h Whiting 3.5 Flatfish Survey Appendix contains the map of the Dingle study site and the locations of the flatfish survey. It also contains the locations of the seven fish landing ports in the study site. The two main aquaculture areas are Tralee Bay, where native oysters are harvested and Castlemaine Harbour, where mussels and pacific oysters are harvested. Plaice and Turbot were the main flatfish species found at all study sites. However other flatfish such as Black Sole, Brill, Dab, Dover Sole, Flounder and Sole were also found. During the study in 2, tags were attached to 97 of the 96 fish caught during the survey. Tags

15 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis 5 were attached to 4 Plaice, 34 Flounder, 6 Turbot, three Dab, two Sole, and one Dover Sole. Lengths of the flatfish were also recorded, as were weights in the 2 survey. Other fish species were also caught during the survey. These included Pipefish, Sea scorpions, Sandeels, Weavers, Wrasse, Mullet, Pollack, Thornback ray, Conger eel, Squid, Spratt and crabs. Table. No. of flatfish at each site Site Map Plaice Turbot Other Flats Total 2 Plaice Turbot Other Flats Total 2 Kilcummin Fermoyle Fermoyle House Cappa Strand Scraggane East Scraggane Muirioch Bealban Bealban West Ventry Caravan Park Ventry Graveyard Cuan Pier The Trench Muirioch West West of West Bealban Coumeenole Ventry River Dingle Harbour Inch Inch Inch Inch

16 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis 6 4. Discussion & Conclusions Irish landings are recorded for 2 ports around the Irish coast. Landings are also recorded for Irish vessels landing in five other countries (UK, Norway, France, Spain and the Netherlands). Total Irish landings can be seen to increase until 996, when they begin to decrease again. The pelagic landings follow a similar pattern. Demersal and shellfish landings have also increased from 98 to 2, with decreases in catch at the beginning of the 99 s. Bantry Bay landings also reflect the Irish situation. Pelagic landings follow similar patterns to the total bay landings. Bantry Bay demersal and shellfish landings also increased from 98 to the late 99 s and appear to have stabilised. Shellfish landings in the Dingle study site in the early 98 s were extremely significant and the total landings reflected this. Shellfish landings (mostly mussels) declined in the early 99 s following severe predation. These landings have stabilised in recent years. Careful monitoring of pelagic landings will provide an indication of the state of the fishing industry. Any further decline in these landings should result in restrictions being placed on all sectors (pelagic, demersal and shellfish). This will halt fishermen switching from targeting pelagic fish to e.g. demersal fish, which would ultimately lead to putting severe pressure on the other fishery. Irish Salmon landings have fluctuated in the 99 s, while the number of salmon licences held has increased. The number of licences relates to commercial and recreational licences. A breakdown was not available for the number of commercial and recreational licences separately. The fluctuation in Salmon landings is also visible in the study sites. Fishermen have expressed concern about the decline in Salmon catches. Anecdotal evidence from the 23 season suggests that many fishermen landed fish in single figures each week. Further limitations on the industry are likely to make it completely infeasible for fishermen to continue. Many fishermen apply for a licence each year, but do not use it. The numbers employed in fishing remained around 3,5 in the 98 s and early 99 s. Figure.2e shows an increase in employment in fisheries in the late 99 s to 4,5. The number of vessels in the Irish fishing fleet has shown a decrease in the 99 s. Aquaculture production in Ireland has increased steadily since 98. This is also reflected in the production figures of all species examined. The Irish Government plans, under the NDP to increase aquaculture production in Ireland by 3% by 25. This will provide an estimated

17 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis 7 additional 6, jobs in peripheral areas of Ireland. This would obviously be extremely beneficial to rural, coastal areas, but should not go ahead without proper Environmental Impact Assessments and baseline studies being carried out. MAF s were applied to landings and aquaculture production time series data. The first MAF for the Irish fishing data shows a general increase in landings, which has levelled off in the late 99 s. The number of boats in the Irish fishing industry is negatively correlated to the first MAF and shows a decrease since the 98 s. The aquaculture MAF indicates that bottom mussels are negatively correlated to the first MAF. The FAT s data shows that large numbers of the smaller sized fish were usually sampled in the months following their breeding time. The largest numbers of fish caught were at the lower end of the length frequencies, i.e. very few large fish were being caught. Reducing fishing pressure at these times (e.g. enforcing a closed season, or closed area), would allow more fish spawn and juveniles survive to maturity and reach larger sizes. This may limit an already decreasing fishing season, but in the long-term would prove beneficial for the industry as a whole. The flatfish survey shows that Plaice were the most commonly sampled species. The average number of Plaice at each station was 42. The highest numbers of flatfish were recorded from beaches at the mouth of the main mussel producing harbour. The survey was not carried out at any beach where aquaculture or the main fishing ports were located. This survey has indicated that beaches are essential as nursery grounds for flatfish and are also vital as habitats for other fish species. Aquaculture in the Dingle region is as yet undeveloped. Prior to any further expansion of the industry, further studies should be undertaken. Baseline biological and environmental surveys should be carried out. The flatfish survey should be repeated at intervals throughout the year, which not only ascertain use of the beaches by flatfish, but also their importance for other fish species.

18 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis 8 5. Acknowledgements The Fisheries Assessment Technician s, Ciarán O Donnell and Macdara Ó Cuaig in Castletownbere, for provided the data they have collected, along with Mr. Rick Officer and Marine Institute for giving permission to use of the data. Mr. Jonathan Clarke, BIM, for providing all the aquaculture production data, and Ms. Margaret Price, BIM, for providing the fish landings. Údarás na Gaeltachta, Taighde Mara Teoranta, and the Marine Institute, who provided funding and personnel to carry out the flatfish survey. Dr Sandra Irwin, Aquaculture Development Centre, UCC for providing assistance with statistics.

19 AQCESS (Q5RS-2-35): Workpackage 9: Bioanalysis 9 Appendix Figure.9 Dingle peninsula site, Flatfish Survey sites, 2 survey = blue, 2 survey = blue and red, excluding sites 3, 4, and 6.