The Medias 2024 survey, designed to examine the Mediterranean’s pelagic ecosystem, has been launched by Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, under the scientific direction of the Spanish Oceanographic Institute (IEO).
The survey is being conducted by scientists on board the 70-metre oceanographic vessel Miguel Oliver, which sailed from the port of Mallorca, to assess the abundance of commercial stocks between now and 8th August.
The main objective of this survey is to collect data that will support estimates of the strength of anchovy and sardine populations using acoustic methods. This technology will also make it possible to determine abundance indices and spatial distribution of the entire pelagic system, as well as carrying out work on the distribution of eggs and larvae of the most important species.
The survey covers waters from the border with France to the Strait of Gibraltar and will extend to depths of 200 metres.
In addition, data will be collected on water temperature, salinity and fluorescence; on the abundance of top predator species such as birds and marine mammals, and samples will be taken of microscopic aquatic species, microplastics and macro-waste in the water column, as well as environmental DNA samples.
This is part of a series of acoustic surveys that began in 2009 in cooperation with other Member States of the Mediterranean region of the European Union. These operations are in response to a variety of commitments made at international level for the sustainable management of community seas.
