文章基本信息

标题：First characterisation of a Leiopathes glaberrima (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia) forest in Maltese exploited fishing grounds
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作者：A. Deidun ; F. Andaloro ; G. Bavestrello 等
期刊名称：The European Zoological Journal
电子版ISSN：2475-0263
出版年度：2015
卷号：82
期号：2
页码：271-280
DOI：10.1080/11250003.2014.986544
语种：English
出版社：Taylor & Francis Group
摘要：A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) survey conducted in the deep (250–400 m) Maltese waters in 2013 revealed, for the first time, the characteristics of an extended coral forest, constituted almost exclusively by the arborescent, longevous black coral Leiopathes glaberrima. This species is a major component of the deep coral forests of the Mediterranean Sea and its occurrence in dense populations greatly enhances the benthic biodiversity of the sites in question. The existence of such a complex benthic ecosystem is particularly interesting for Malta, since this area represented, in the 1980s, the only sanctioned site within the Mediterranean basin for the commercial exploitation of black corals. The occurrence of the large black coral population hints that, at least within the investigated area, the coral resource has not greatly suffered from past coral harvesting activities. The major current concern, however, is represented by the massive anthropogenic impact due to benthic fishing activities carried out on the rocky bank, as evidenced by the high amount of discarded fishing gear directly impacting the specimens. The data here presented, despite being preliminary in nature, suggests that the investigated benthic area should be considered a vulnerable marine ecosystem valuable for future scientific monitoring exercises. Appropriate benthic fishing restrictions for the area in question, which might be considered for inclusion within an marine protected area (MPA), should be contemplated.
关键词：Black corals; fishing impact; deep Mediterranean Sea; Strait of Sicily