The importance of deep-sea vulnerable marine ecosystems for demersal fish in the Azores

摘要: Cold-water corals and sponges aggregations are important features of the deep sea, recently classified as vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). VMEs increase habitat complexity, believed to act feeding, reproductive, nursery refuge areas for a high number invertebrates fish species. In Azores archipelago (NE Atlantic), prevalent but their ecological role has not received much attention. The objective this study was investigate importance in influencing distribution demersal Azores. With data collected during experimental longline surveys , we modeled catch six species commercial value (Helicolenus dactylopterus, Pagellus bogaraveo, Mora moro, Conger conger, Phycis phycis, Pontinus kuhlii) relation presence other environmental factors using General Additive Models (GAMs). Our demonstrated that total higher inside relationship between varied among Species specific models showed strongly influenced by factors, mainly depth, whilst only two rockfish species; juvenile adult P. kuhlii H. dactylopterus. Although association deep-sea may be an exception rule, suggest commercially