Effects of trawling activity on the bamboo-coral Isidella elongata and the sea pen Funiculina quadrangularis along the Gioia Canyon (Western Mediterranean, southern Tyrrhenian Sea)

• Published in: Progress in oceanography Vol. 169; pp. 214 - 226
• Main Authors: Pierdomenico, Martina, Russo, Tommaso, Ambroso, Stefano, Gori, Andrea, Martorelli, Eleonora, D'Andrea, Lorenzo, Gili, Josep-Maria, Chiocci, Francesco L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2018
• Subjects: benthic ecosystems; biomass; Bottom trawling impacts; canyons; corals; data collection; Deep-water corals; environmental factors; fauna; fish; indicator species; information processing; marine ecosystems; monitoring; quantitative analysis; Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV); species abundance; Submarine canyons; Tyrrhenian Sea; Vessel Monitoring System (VMS); Tyrrhenian Sea; Vessel Monitoring System (VMS); Bottom trawling impacts; Deep-water corals; Submarine canyons; Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

•The effect of trawling activity on two megabenthic species were investigated along the margin of Gioia Canyon.•The abundance of the bamboo-coral Isidella elongata was lower in areas exposed to higher trawling intensity.•Diffuse presence of epibionts on I. elongata suggests stressful conditions rela...