Picophytoplankton responses to changing nutrient and light regimes during a bloom

The spring bloom in seasonally stratified seas is often characterized by a rapid increase in photosynthetic biomass. To clarify how the combined effects of nutrient and light availability influence phytoplankton composition in the oligotrophic Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, phytoplankton growth and acclimation responses to various nutrient and light regimes were recorded in three independent bioassays and during a naturally-occurring bloom. We show that picoeukaryotes and Synechococcus maintained a “bloomer” growth strategy, which allowed them to grow quickly when nutrient and light limitation were reversed. During the bloom picoeukaryotes and Synechococcus appeared to have higher P requirements relative to N, and were responsible for the majority of photosynthetic biomass accumulation. Following stratification events, populations limited by light showed rapid photoacclimation (based on analysis of cellular fluorescence levels and photosystem II photosynthetic efficiency) and community composition shifts without substantial changes in photosynthetic biomass. The traditional interpretation of “bloom” dynamics (i.e., as an increase in photosynthetic biomass) may therefore be confined to the upper euphotic zone where light is not limiting, while other acclimation processes are more ecologically relevant at depth. Characterizing acclimation processes and growth strategies is important if we are to clarify mechanisms that underlie productivity in oligotrophic regions, which account for approximately half of the global primary production in the ocean. This information is also important for predicting how phytoplankton may respond to global warming-induced oligotrophic ocean expansion.     

Phytoplankton composition in relation to primary production in Chesapeake Bay

The dominant phytoplankton taxa during seasonal periods of peak primary productivity were identified during a 4 yr study (July 1989 to June 1993) in Chesapeake Bay. Maximum phytoplankton abundance occurred from late winter to early spring, and was dominated by a few species of centric diatoms. This development was followed by more diversified assemblages of diatoms and phytoflagellates that produced additional concentration peaks in summer and fall; all these maxima were accompanied by concurrent productivity peaks. High summer productivity resulted when the phytoplankton concentrations of diatoms and phytoflagellates were augmented by an increased abundance of autotrophic picoplankton. There was variability in both the seasonal and annual growth maxima of these algal populations and in total productivity. Higher cell concentrations and productivity were associated with higher nutrient levels on the western side of the bay, at sites adjacent to major tributaries. Periods of highest productivity were in spring and summer, ranging from 176 to 346 g Cm^-2yr^-1 over the 4 yr period, with a mean annual productivity of 255 g Cm^-2yr^-1. The bay stations rates ranged from 82 to 538 g Cm^-2yr^-1.     

Small-scale gradients of phytoplankton productivity in the littoral fringe

Inshore-offshore transects and time-series sampling programs were carried out on the South shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary on several occasions during the summer season of 1978, 1979 and 1986. In 1981, a time-series sampling program was also conducted on three occasions during the summer. The sampling program was carried out to test the hypothesis that higher phytoplankton biomass and productivity occurs in the littoral zone than in the offshore zone. Our results showed consistently higher nutrient concentrations and lower seasonal variability in the littoral zone than offshore. However, biomass indicators (chlorophyll concentrations and phytoplankton cell counts) showed lower values nearshore than offshore, in contrast to primary production and photosynthetic capacity which were higher nearshore than offshore. These differences are interpreted with reference to the grazing activity of benthic filter-feeders, which probably helped to reduce the phytoplankton biomass in the littoral zone, while at the same time, they contributed to the rapid recycling of nutrients, thereby allowing much higher phytoplankton productivity nearshore than offshore. These results are in keeping with the ecological concept suggesting that exploitation can have a rejuvenating effect on an ecosystem which often is translated into enhanced productivity.     

Spatial and temporal variation of resource limitation in Chesapeake Bay

We report nutrient addition bioassays at 18 stations in Chesapeake Bay (USA) to assess resources limiting phytoplankton growth. Data were pooled from several sampling programs conducted from 1989 to 1994. Spatially, light and P limitation declined from low salinity regions to high salinity regions, as N limitation increased. This spatial pattern was driven primarily by freshwater inflows with high N/P and seawater inflows with low N/P. Seasonally, there was a marked progression of winter light limitation, spring P limitation, and summer N limitation at mesohaline and polyhaline stations. The seasonal pattern appeared to be caused by temperature, mixing, river discharge, and sediment P fluxes. At high salinity stations, we also observed winter N limitation (caused by DIN depletion prior to spring nitrate delivery), and at lower salinity stations there was fall P limitation (caused by reaeration of bottom sediments). At tidal fresh stations, turbidity and nutrient concentrations resulted in continuous light limitation, except at some stations in summer. Interannual decreases in light limitation and increases in N and P limitation appear to represent improvements in water quality. Received: 31 October 1997 / Accepted: 18 December 1998     

Phytoplankton photosynthetic activity and growth rates in the NW Adriatic Sea

Taxonomic composition, biomass, primary production and growth rates of the phytoplankton community were studied in two stations in the NW Adriatic Sea on a seasonal basis, in areas characterized by differing hydrological and trophic conditions. The main differences between the two stations were quantitative rather than qualitative, most phytoplankton species being common to both stations. The effects of differing nutrient concentrations and plume spreading were evident. Biomass and primary production rates were significantly higher in the coastal station (S1), and the phytoplankton distribution in the water column was markedly stratified in S1 and more even in the offshore station (S3). However, chlorophyll a specific production, potential growth rate and production efficiencies were very similar in both stations, even when phosphorus concentrations were limiting. A discrepancy between potential and actual growth rate was observed: as a feature common to both stations, comparisons between potential and actual growth rates revealed that little carbon produced by phytoplankton accumulated as algal biomass; therefore, very high loss rates were estimated.     

Production dynamics of the eelgrass, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera marina</Emphasis> in two bay systems on the south coast of the Korean peninsula

Production dynamics of eelgrass, Zostera marina was examined in two bay systems (Koje Bay and Kosung Bay) on the south coast of the Korean peninsula, where few seagrass studies have been conducted. Dramatically reduced eelgrass biomass and growth have been observed during summer period on the coast of Korea, and we hypothesized that the summer growth reduction is due to increased water temperature and/or reduced light and nutrient availabilities. Shoot density, biomass, morphological characteristics, leaf productivities, and tissue nutrient content of eelgrass were measured monthly from June 2001 to April 2003. Water column and sediment nutrient concentrations were also measured monthly, and water temperature and underwater irradiance were monitored continuously at seagrass canopy level. Eelgrass shoot density, biomass, and leaf productivities exhibited clear seasonal variations, which were strongly correlated with water temperature. Optimal water temperature for eelgrass growth in the present study sites was about 15–20°C during spring period, and eelgrass growths were inhibited at the water temperature above 20°C during summer. Daily maximum underwater photon flux density in the study sites was usually much higher than the light saturation point of Z. marina previously reported. Densities of each terminal, lateral, and reproductive shoot showed their unique seasonal peak. Seasonal trends of shoot densities suggest that new eelgrass shoots were created through formation of lateral shoots during spring and a part of the vegetative shoots was transformed into flowering shoots from March. Senescent reproductive shoots were detached around June, and contributed to reductions of shoot density and biomass during summer period. Ambient nutrient level appeared to provide an adequate reserve of nutrient for eelgrass growth throughout the experimental period. The relationships between eelgrass growth and water temperature suggested that rapid reductions of eelgrass biomass and growth during summer period on the south coast of the Korean peninsula were caused by high temperature inhibition effects on eelgrass growth during this season.     

Impact of canal development on intertidal microalgal productivity: Comparative assessment of Patterson Lakes and Ralphs Bay,South East Australia

We assessed the potential impact of a proposed canal development in an estuarine sandflat at Ralphs Bay, Tasmania on intertidal microalgal productivity and species composition, by comparing it over summer and winter seasons with a well- established (30 year old) canal estate at Patterson Lakes, Victoria. Pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry was used to generate a relative measure of photosynthetic performance, which combined with microalgal chlorophyll biomass and irradiance provides an assessment of potential primary productivity. We present a sophisticated mathematical model for calculating benthic microalgal production and the contribution to total primary production, taking into account sediment light attenuation as estimated from sediment grain size. Ralphs Bay had a total productive microalgal biomass of 44 mg chlorophyll a m⁻² which was six times higher than Patterson Lakes, while the relative productivity of Ralphs Bay was four times greater compared to Patterson Lakes where productivity was virtually absent in the subtidal zone of the canal waterway. Ralphs Bay exhibited a more or less homogeneous spatial distribution of microphytobenthos biomass but this was subject to some seasonal variation in species composition, abundance and productivity. By contrast, at Patterson Lakes biomass distribution, diversity and productivity was highly spatially variable in the canal system in both seasons. Patterson Lakes exhibited 60% lower microphytobenthos species richness than Ralphs Bay but little variation in species composition occurred between seasons in the canal estate. This suggests that the dominant diatom species in Patterson Lakes, Pinnularia yarrensis, Gyrosigma balticum and Pleurosigma salinarum, are well adapted to the disturbance regime within the canal estate. The proposed canal development at Ralphs Bay is estimated to cause a decrease in microalgal productivity by both reducing available marine substrate (66% reduction) and replacing productive intertidal phytobenthic habitat with nonproductive canal substrate. These combine to cause a decline in productivity of 92% with significant flow-on effects predicted for higher trophic levels such as migratory wading birds.     

福建北部海域浙闽沿岸流消亡期浮游植物的种类组成与分布特征

根据2009年4月在福建北部海域(24°47’17.0"~26°48’02.9"N,119°29’36.0"~120°57’13.8"E)所获浮游植物网采样品和同步观测的理化参数,并结合2007年"908专项"春季航次相应范围的调查资料,分析该海域浮游植物种类组成、分布特点、年际变化及其与环境因子的关系.本航次共记录浮游植物3个门类85种,其中硅藻75种、甲藻9种、蓝藻1种.物种组成以广温种为主(占47.06%),其次为暖水种(占36.47%),温带种仅占7.06%.调查区浮游植物丰度平均为137.89×104cells m-3,其平面分布呈现从近岸往外海、从北往南递增的态势.聚类分析显示本海区浮游植物可划分为2个群落,群落Ⅰ主要由近岸低盐种组成,仅分布于受浙闽沿岸流影响较直接的闽江口以北的近岸测站;群落Ⅱ主要为外海高盐种和广温广盐种,广泛分布于受台湾暖流影响较大的闽江口以南及三沙湾外侧水域.主成分分析(PCA)表明,对本海区浮游植物的分布起主导作用的是温度和盐度,而与营养盐的关系不密切,反映调查期间浙闽沿岸流已基本退出本海区,浮游植物的分布主要受制于台湾暖流.浮游植物丰度的平面分布格局与以往的调查结果基本一致,但其群落结构存在年际变化,"908专项"春季航次的优势种为近岸低盐种和广温广盐种,优势种突出,多样性指数低;而本次调查外海性广温种成为优势种之一,多样性指数(H’)和均匀度(J’)均较高,这可能与考察期间受东北季风强度所左右的浙闽沿岸流强弱有关.     

Depth-dependent changes in chlorophyll fluorescence number at a Sargasso Sea station

Chlorophyll a-specific in vivo fluorescence exhibited depth-dependent changes in a Sargasso Sea phytoplankton community, decreasing from a maximum value at the surface to a minimum at 90m, and then increasing again below 90 m. This distribution pattern was not explained by irradiance conditions, diurnal variability, senescence in the deep population, or changes in light-absorption efficiency of chlorophyll a. However, a significant positive correlation was found between mean phytoplankton cell size and fluorescence number in the upper euphotic zone, where nutrient concentrations were low. We hypothesize that the direct cause for this observed correlation was nutrient limitation. In this picoplankton-dominated community, packaging effect was minimal. Under nutrient-limiting conditions, as mean cell size increases photosynthetic efficiency decreases and therefore fluorescence number increases. In the lower euphotic zone where nutrients were not limiting, changes in fluorescence number exhibited weak size-dependence and appeared to be related to species compositional changes.     

Phytoplankton photosynthetic activity and growth rates in the NW Adriatic Sea

Taxonomic composition, biomass, primary production and growth rates of the phytoplankton community were studied in two stations in the NW Adriatic Sea on a seasonal basis, in areas characterized by differing hydrological and trophic conditions. The main differences between the two stations were quantitative rather than qualitative, most phytoplankton species being common to both stations. The effects of differing nutrient concentrations and plume spreading were evident. Biomass and primary production rates were significantly higher in the coastal station (S1), and the phytoplankton distribution in the water column was markedly stratified in S1 and more even in the offshore station (S3). However, chlorophyll a specific production, potential growth rate and production efficiencies were very similar in both stations, even when phosphorus concentrations were limiting. A discrepancy between potential and actual growth rate was observed: as a feature common to both stations, comparisons between potential and actual growth rates revealed that little carbon produced by phytoplankton accumulated as algal biomass; therefore, very high loss rates were estimated.     

The effect of Po river discharge on phytoplankton dynamics in the Northern Adriatic Sea

An oceanographic transet,, extending from Yugoslavia across the Northern Adriatic Sea to the Po delta in Italy, was occupied during 1972 and 1973 to establish the effect of Po river discharge on the phytoplankton communities of the region. Density distribution showed distinct seasonal features: a winter-spring period of low stability throughout the water column, and a summer period of stratification. The total water-column plant nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate) showed a 1.3 to 4.5-fold decrease eastward, with semi-eutrophic conditions restricted to an area off the Po delta. Nannoplankton usually dominated the phytoplankton community, in terms of cell density, surface chlorophyll a concentrations, and surface primary production rates. However, all significant maxima in these characteristics resulted from increases in the microplankton component. Changes in the frequency of major microplankton groups characterized three periods of the annual cycle: September–December, neritic, temperate diatom flora with some littoral elements (e.g. Nitzschia seriata); January–May, neritic, temperate diatom flora of different composition (e.g. Lauderia borealis, Skeletonema costatum); May–August, dinoflagellates (e.g. Prorocentrum micans) at western stations and dinoflagellates plus neritic, warm-water diatoms at eastern stations. The seasonal cycle was characterized by spring and fall maxima tending to coincide with maximum Po river discharge and/or periods of low water-column stability and vertical mixing. The higher nutrient input at western stations was correlated with the co-dominance of only a few species of microplankton during bloom periods, suggesting that these species (S. costatum, N. seriata, and 5 others) can serve as indicators of eutrophic conditions in this region. Assimilation ratios of both the micro- and nannoplankton suggested borderline nutrient conditions. Phosphate was implicated as the limiting nutrient.     

Seasonal studies on the relative importance of different size fractions of phytoplankton in Narragansett Bay (USA)

The composition and productivity of four different size-fractions (<20, 20 to 60, 60 to 100, >100 μm) of the phytoplankton of lower Narragansett Bay (USA) were followed over an annual cycle from November, 1972 to October, 1973. Diatoms dominated the population in the winter-spring bloom and in the fall, the summer population was dominated by flagellates. The nannoplankton (<20 μm) were the most important, accounting for 46.6% of the annual biomass as chlorophyll a and 50.8% of the total production. The relative importance of the different fractions showed a marked seasonality. During the winter-spring and fall blooms the netplankton fractions (>20 μm) were the most important. Nannoplankters domnated in the summer. The yearly mean assimilation numbers for the different fractions were not signfficantly different. During the winter-spring bloom, however, the assimilation numbers for the netplankters were significantly higher than those for the nannoplankton fraction. Temperature accounted for most of the variability in assimilation numbers; a marked nutrient stress was observed on only two occasions. Growth rates calculated from ¹⁴C uptake and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-cell carbon were generally quite high; maxima were >1.90 doublings per day during blooms of a flagellate in the summer and of Skeletonema costatum in the fall. The series of short cycles observed in which the dominant species changed were related to changes in the physiological state of the population. Higher growth rates were generally observed at times of peak phytoplankton abundance while lower growth rates were observed between these peaks. The high growth rates and assimilation numbers usually found suggest that the phytoplankton in lower Narragansett Bay was not generally nutrient-limited between November, 1972 and October, 1973. Nutrient regeneration in this shallow estuary, therefore, must be very rapid when in situ nutrient levels are low.     

Seasonal variations in Delaware Bay phytoplankton community structure

Whole-water phytoplankton samples were obtained from 3 stations in Delaware Bay on a once- or twice-monthly basis from June 13, 1974 to May 28, 1975. The flora was composed primarily of small flagellates during the summer and early fall, while diatoms dominated from October to May. Peak cell numbers occurred during fall and early spring blooms. Evenness diversity was lowest during periods of maximum diatom abundance and highest when microflagellates predominated. There was a gradual shift in dominance, except during the early spring Skeletonema costatum bloom. Cluster analysis allowed the separation of the flora into 3 time groups and 8 recurrent species groups. The species composition and community structure of Delaware Bay phytoplankton is compared with other USA east-coast estuaries where comparable sampling techniques have been used.Contribution No. 129 from the Ira C. Darling Center and No. 129 from the College of Marine Studies.     

Preponderance of a few diatom species among the highly diverse microphytoplankton assemblages in the Bay of Bengal

The microphytoplankton assemblages were studied from water samples collected at eight discrete depths in the top 120 m at five central (open ocean) and four western (shelf/slope region) locations in the Bay of Bengal. The Bay is a low-productive warm pool regime with poor inorganic nutrient inputs to its intensely stratified surface layer despite the very large riverine influx. In addition, the prolonged cloud cover has an adverse effect on the top 25–40 m, on primary production, chlorophyll concentration and phytoplankton assemblages. Microphytoplankton were the most abundant in the northern area of the Bay. A total of 153 phytoplankton species were identified during this study. The most abundant species (at least 1,800 individual cells belonging to a given species or ≥2% of the total counts of identified specimens) during this study were: Thalassiothrix longissima, Thalassiothrix fauenfeldii, Rhizosolenia styliformis, Nitzschia angularis, Thalassionema nitzschioides, Coscinodiscus radiatus, Chaetoceros eibenii, Skeletonema costatum, Coscinodiscus concinnus and Chaetoceros coarctatus. Similarly, there were 20 moderately abundant (≥0.5 but <2%) species. Thirty-three of the least abundant species (<0.5%) occurred at one station. Diatom species, T. fauenfeldii and T. longissima were ubiquitous in the study area. The exclusive occurrence of S. costatum in the northernmost stations suggests that it proliferates only in the low-salinity regions with adequate silica from the land inputs. Abundance of pennate diatoms was higher in the open Bay compared to that of centric diatoms in the more productive northern locations and the western Bay. There appears to be a basic difference between near shore flora and offshore flora. This first analysis of phytoplankton assemblages from the offshore Bay suggests that while there is predominance of only a few species, the Bay harbors very diverse diatom communities that seem to be syntrophic, non-competitive and co-habiting in the generally low nutrient, stratified surface waters.     

Microphytoplankton in the Strait of Otranto (eastern Mediterranean)

The Strait of Otranto is the connection between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Low nutrient concentrations, high transparency, and low phytoplankton cell density and biomass reflect the oligotrophic character of the area. Enrichment of the euphotic layer with nutrients is mainly due to discharge of Albanian and Greek rivers, as well as mixing and upwelling in winter/early spring. Following phytoplankton bloom in April, a progressive decrease of phytoplankton cell density is due to the consumption of nutrients throughout the proceeding summer and autumn. Nitrogen was a strong limiting factor for phytoplankton growth in summer. Deep biomass maxima were detected in the 50 to 100 m layer and corresponded mostly to cells smaller than 20 m. The eastern part of the strait is mostly influenced by the northerly inflowing current from the Ionian Sea, and the western part by the southerly outflowing current from the Adriatic Sea. This typical circulation could be disturbed by inertial oscillations in the current field, generated by the strong oscillating winds and cyclonic eddies. The type of circulation determined the distribution of thermohaline characteristics, abundance, biomass, as well as taxonomic composition of phytoplankton, across the strait. Ecological characteristics of the water masses on two sides of the strait were significantly different during the formation of a longitudinal thermohaline front in May 1990.     

Development of epiphytic communities on eelgrass (Zostera marina) along a nutrient gradient in a Danish estuary

The effect of nutrient enrichment on epiphyte development was examined by following the seasonal development of epiphyte biomass on eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) at four localities along a nutrient gradient in Roskilde Fjord, Denmark between March and December 1982. In the most nutrient-poor area, epiphyte biomass followed a distinct bimodal seasonal pattern with maxima in spring and early fall. Low nutrient availability and a high rate of eelgrass leaf renewal kept epiphyte biomass at a low level throughout the summer period. Unlike phytoplankton, the epiphytic community was not stimulated by nutrient enrichment during spring, however, from May through August, the biomass of both components increased exponentially with increasing concentrations of total N in the water. Along the nutrient gradient, phytoplankton biomass increased 5- to 10-fold, while epiphyte biomass increased 50- to 100-fold. Thus differences in nutrient conditions among study sites were more clearly reflected by epiphytes than phytoplankton.Contribution No. 419 from the Freshwater-Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen     

东海大型底栖生物次级生产力研究

根据2000年秋季和2001年春季在东海23个大面站进行的大型底栖生物定量采集样品资料，利用Brey’s（1990）的经验公式对调查海区进行了大型底栖生物栖息密度、生物量、次级生产力和P／B值的研究和计算．结果表明，该海域大型底栖生物平均栖息密度在秋季为87m^-2，远低于春季的138m^-2，而平均生物量以去灰干重计，秋季为1．40gm^-2，高于春季的1．25gm^-2；年平均次级生产力以去灰干重计，为1．62gm^-2a^-1，远低于渤海和南黄海．研究表明，大型底栖生物生物量和次级生产力受水温和水深的影响，平均P／B值在研究海域为1．41a^-1，高于渤海和黄海，表明在东海大型底栖生物中个体小而代谢快、生活史短的种在大型底栖生物中占的比重要大于渤海和南黄海，P／B值随水温升高而升高，图2表2参28     

Aspects of water column primary productivity in the Chukchi Sea during summer

Measurements of primary productivity, chlorophyll a, incident solar radiation, phosphate-P, silicate-Si, nitrate-N, nitrite-N, ammonium-N, temperature and salinity were made in the Marginal Ice Zone of the Chukchi Sea in summer 1974. Low to moderate levels of primary productivity (0.07 to 0.97 g C m^-2 half-day^-1) were observed; primary productivity exceeded 3 g C m^-2 half-day^-1 at two stations. Surface primary productivity was nitrogen-limited at most stations. Mean chlorophyll a concentration in the photic zone varied from 0.4 to 17.8 mg m^-3. Higher concentrations and significant subsurface accumulation of chlorophyll a, reaching 40 mg m^-3, were observed in July at stations near the ice-edge than those in open water. No chlorophyll maximum was noted in September, when values ranged from 0.4 to 2.2 mg m^-3. It is postulated that the contribution of sea-ice algae to the total chlorophyll content can be substantial, but that the stay of these cells in the water column may not be long. Non-linear regression estimates from solar radiation and chlorophyll-specific primary productivity data showed a maximal photosynthetic rate of 18 mg C mg chlorophyll a ^-1 half-day^-1, an optimal light intensity of 54 langleys half-day^-1, and markedly reduced primary productivity at moderately higher light intensities. These features indicate that phytoplankton was shade-adapted.     

Continuous plankton records: Changes in the composition and abundance of the phytoplankton of the north-eastern Atlantic ocean and North Sea, 1958–1974

In most areas of the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean, diatoms have declined drastically in abundance in the last decade. Additionally, in areas to the north of 59°N Ceratium species and an index of total phytoplankton have also declined. South of 59°N the phytoplankton index has increased, diatoms have declined and Ceratium species have remained at a constant level of abundance. A possible explanation of the increase in the phytoplankton index at a time when the diatoms were declinig south of 59°N is the development of unidentified phytoplankton organisms such as microflagellates. As many of the variables influencing phytoplankton standing crop are governed in turn by the prevailing weather, the phytoplankton changes may well be a consequence of the general deterioration, since 1940, of North Atlantic weather. Changes in phytoplankton which may be attributed to an amelioration of climate since 1971 are evident as yet only in the southern North Sea.     

Structural and seasonal variations of inshore fish populations in Málaga Bay,Southeastern Spain

A seasonal study of the inshore fish community was conducted in 1981 and 1982 at two stations in Málaga Bay (SE Spain). A total of 66 fish species were caught. Two families, Clupeidae (68.6%) and Engraulidae (28.5%), dominated in numbers, and Carangidae (54.3%) and Sparidae (29.1%) in biomass for both zones. There were two periods of high fish density in each zone: winter (2.2 g m^-2) and autumn (2.0 g m^-2) in the western zone and spring (2.95 g m^-2) and summer (3.6 g m^-2) in the eastern zone. Species diversity was relatively high during spring (2.95 and 3.00) and summer (2.32 and 2.44), showing clear variation with other zones of the Spanish coasts. An increase in diversity and number of fish species from north to south was observed. The area studied (0 to 15 m deep) serves as a nursery for larvae and young fish of several species appearing in the catches. The zoogeographical affinities of the fish species caught are: tropicals 25.7%, boreals 24.2%, Iberian-Moroccan 14%, endemics 4.5%.