Projecting distributions of Argentine shortfin squid(Illex argentinus)in the Southwest Atlantic using a complex integrated model

We developed an approach that integrates generalized additive model（GAM） and neural network model（NNM）for projecting the distribution of Argentine shortfin squid（Illex argentinus）. The data for this paper was based on commercial fishery data and relevant remote sensing environmental data including sea surface temperature（SST）, sea surface height（SSH） and chlorophyll a（Chl a） from January to June during 2003 to 2011. The GAM was used to identify the significant oceanographic variables and establish their relationships with the fishery catch per unit effort（CPUE）. The NNM with the GAM identified significant variables as input vectors was used for predicting spatial distribution of CPUE. The GAM was found to explain 53.8% variances for CPUE. The spatial variables（longitude and latitude） and environmental variables（SST, SSH and Chl a） were significant. The CPUE had nonlinear relationship with SST and SSH but a linear relationship with Chl a. The NNM was found to be effective and robust in the projection with low mean square errors（MSE） and average relative variances（ARV）.The integrated approach can predict the spatial distribution and explain the migration pattern of Illex argentinus in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean.

A stock assessment for Illex argentinus in Southwest Atlantic using an environmentally dependent surplus production model

The southern Patagonian stock（SPS） of Argentinian shortfin squid, Illex argentinus, is an economically important squid fishery in the Southwest Atlantic. Environmental conditions in the region play an important role in regulating the population dynamics of the I. argentinus population. This study develops an environmentally dependent surplus production（EDSP） model to evaluate the stock abundance of I. argentines during the period of 2000 to 2010. The environmental factors（favorable spawning habitat areas with sea surface temperature of 16–18°C） were assumed to be closely associated with carrying capacity（K） in the EDSP model. Deviance Information Criterion（DIC） values suggest that the estimated EDSP model with environmental factors fits the data better than a Schaefer surplus model without environmental factors under uniform and normal scenarios.The EDSP model estimated a maximum sustainable yield（MSY） from 351 600 t to 685 100 t and a biomass from 1 322 400 t to1 803 000 t. The fishing mortality coefficient of I. argentinus from 2000 to 2010 was smaller than the values of F（0.1） and F（MSY）. Furthermore, the time series biomass plot of I. argentinus from 2000 to 2010 shows that the biomass of I.argentinus and this fishery were in a good state and not presently experiencing overfishing. This study suggests that the environmental conditions of the habitat should be considered within squid stock assessment and management.

An illustrated checklist of macrofaunal molluscs from soft-sediments of the Abrolhos Parcel(northeastern,Brazil)with 15 new records

Comprehensive understanding of marine biodiversity is essential for conservation,especially for vulnerable ecosystems.In this paper,we implemented and illustrated a checklist of molluscs from the Abrolhos Parcel,Brazil,the most important coralline area in South Atlantic waters.The list features 100 species belonging to 4 classes and 85 genera,of which 15 are new records for Bahia State,northeast Brazil.The results highlight the potential for new records in the area.The species came from 54 unconsolidated sediment samples collected from the bottom of the reef with a 0.042-m^(2) van Veen grab.Among the listed species,Curveulima sp.,Notarchus sp.and Guyanella clenchi are new records for the South Atlantic,while Caecum metamorphosicum,Eratoidea janeiroensis,Volvarina serrei,Solemya notialis,Solariorbis shimeri,and Amphithalamus glabrus are endemic to Brazilian waters.A comparison of our results with those obtained in other reef environments indicates that the Abrolhos Parcel has a rich malacofauna and suggests that many more species can still be found with more samplings.

Atlas-B： Development and Testing of a Brazilian Deep-Ocean Moored Buoy for Climate Research

The PIRATA-SWE （Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic-Southwest Extension） was conceived in the early 2000s to gather observations necessary to improve the understanding of the variability of ocean-atmosphere interactions in the SACZ （South Atlantic Convergence Zone）, which are believed to influence South American climate. To properly monitor the SACZ, the preliminary design for the PIRATA-SWE array considered the mooring of four buoys, with the southernmost one in the sub-tropics. In 2005, three buoys were deployed in the tropical region. Four years later, in 2009, efforts were started to assemble and deploy a Brazilian prototype of the TAO/PIRATA Atlas （autonomous temperature line acquisition system） buoy-the Atlas-B. Finally, in April 2013 the first Atlas-B, nicknamed ＂Guariroba＂, was moored for a testing period at 28.5° S, 44° W, which is the site originally planned for the fourth PIRATA-SWE buoy. In early November 2013, after being detected adrift, the buoy with the upper 700 m part of the mooring line was rescued in an emergency operation. In June 2014, the bottom part was successfully recovered. A new deployment is planned for late 2014. This paper describes part of the learning process of adapting and building the Atlas-B buoy and presents a brief discussion of the data collected during the pilot deployment.

Additional Records of the American Elephantfish <i>Callorhinchus callorynchus</i>(Chondrichthyes, Holocephali, Chimaeriformes) in Southeastern Brazil

Chimaeras, fish in the order Chimaeriformes, are among the rarest and least studied fish in the class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish). Previous records have indicated that a species of chimaera known as the elephantfish, or cockfish, Callorhinchus callorynchus, may be found in marine waters off southeastern Brazil, as far north as the state of São Paulo. Here we report that C. callorynchus, caught with bottom gillnet, was found in an urban fish market in the city of Rio de Janeiro (~23˚S). This and other records from a variety of places call into question the distribution limits of the American elephantfish in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean and whether, at least seasonally, this species may often be found as far north as the state of Rio de Janeiro. Because of scientific and conservation interests in the poorly known Chimaeriformes, we recommend long-term monitoring of the fish catch in ports along the southern Brazilian coast, to better understand the natural history of the intriguing chimeras.