Indentification, distribution and conservation of deep-sea corals in Canada's northwest Atlantic

Wareham, Vonda E. (2010) Indentification, distribution and conservation of deep-sea corals in Canada's northwest Atlantic. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[img] [English] PDF - Accepted Version
Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.

Download (9MB)

Abstract

Deep-sea corals are long-lived, slow-growing benthic animals and are generally considered important for deep-sea biodiversity. Deep-sea corals in Newfoundland, Labrador, and eastern Canadian Arctic waters were mapped using incidental by-catch from multispecies scientific surveys and fisheries observations. To date (2004-2009), 44 deep-sea coral species have been documented, including 33 octocorals, eight scleractinians and three antipatharians. Coral distributions were highly clustered, with most species co-occurring in fishing sets. Five coral species diversity and abundance hotspots were delineated: Hudson Strait region, Labrador shelf edge and slope, Orphan Spur - Tobin's Point, Flemish Pass and southwest Grand Banks shelf edge and slope. Corals are under threat from bottom tending fishing. Impacts from mobile and fixed gears can include dislodgement, breakage, and complete removal. Although several protected areas have been established and other candidates have been identified, protective measures for deep-sea coral in Newfoundland and Labrador are insufficient.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
URI: http://research.library.mun.ca/id/eprint/9642
Item ID: 9642
Additional Information: Bibiography: l. 180-193.
Department(s): Science, Faculty of > Environmental Science
Date: 2010
Date Type: Submission
Geographic Location: Canada--Newfoundland and Labrador
Library of Congress Subject Heading: Deep sea corals--Conservation--Newfoundland and Labrador; Deep sea corals--Newfoundland and Labrador; Deep sea corals--Newfoundland and Labrador--Geographical distribution

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over the past year

View more statistics