New VME indicator species (excluding corals and sponges) and some potential VME elements of the NAFO Regulatory Area

• Main Authors: Murillo, Francisco Javier, Kenchington, Ellen, Sacau-Cuadrado, María del Mar, Piper, David, Wareham, Vonda, Muñoz, Araceli
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Pesquerías; Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo; North Atlantic; Northwest Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10508/733; http://hdl.handle.net/10261/328270

A review of over 500 taxa known to occur in the NRA revealed three additional faunal groups (additional to NAFO 2008a) that meet the criteria for a VME indicator based on traits related to functional significance, fragility, and the life-history traits of component species that produce a slow recovery to disturbance. These are crinoids, erect bryozoans and large sea squirts. For each group it is the dense aggregations (beds/fields) that are considered to be VME in order to establish functional significance. Although each group is present in the NRA, data to date have not revealed any concentrations of note with the exception of one catch of the stalked tunicate Boltenia ovifera (large sea squirt). Black corals were considered to be VME indicators by NAFO based on what was then known of their distribution. These were included based on the uniqueness/rarity criterion of habitats of rare, threatened or endangered species that occur only in discrete areas, however evaluation of their distribution using trawl survey, rock dredge and underwater video has indicated that they have widespread occurrence at low densities in the NRA and along the continental slopes off Labrador. However, because they are thought to be extremely long-lived and therefore ‘iconic’ if not rare, we have identified where the highest frequency of occurrence is for this taxon. Lastly, based on NEREIDA multibeam bathymetry we have identified more canyon heads, steep flanks and new seamounts in the NRA as possible VME elements.