The "Emma Bardan" in the Bioman 2016 campaign in the Gulf of Vizcaya.

The "Emma Bardán" oceanographic ship of the General Secretariat and Fisheries is in the middle of the BIOMAN 2016 Research Campaign. A campaign is carried out in conjunction with the "Ramón Margalef" Oceanographic Ship of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography. The main purpose of the campaign is to estimate anchovy biomass from the daily egg production method, to determine the laying area and to characterize the hydrographic conditions, to assess the condition of that fishery. The priority activities being carried out on board the Emma Bardan will be pelagic fish to detect abundance of anchovy eggs and to carry out our species biological, in particular growth and reproduction studies.

A continuous record is made with acoustics methods to estimate the abundance of anchovy, determine setting areas and opportunistic sighting of potential predators (birds and marine mammals). We will also collect data from our mackerel, collect hake samples and characterize the marine environment in the Gulf of Vizcaya. Such campaigns are essential to better understanding our seas and to ensure sustainable management and protection of resources in the long term. To this end, the General Secretariat for Fisheries continues to invest efforts to develop research campaigns on board its Oceanographic Ships.

The collaboration agreement between the General Secretariat for Fisheries and the AZTI Foundation, in order to facilitate the access and use of the General Secretariat's vessels and their equipment to the research staff, makes available to scientists the most appropriate instrument given the aims of the campaign, while the aim is to achieve the optimization of resources for the benefit of all institutions.

For more information:http: / / www.magrama.gob.es /