Cold Water Corals and Structural Habitats in Deep Water: Biology, Threats and Protection (AA)

Theme Session on the Cold Water Corals and Structural Habitats in Deep Water: Biology, Threats and Protection (AA)

ICES CM 2004/AA:01 Withdrawn

ICES CM 2004/AA:02 Withdrawn

Invertebrate Associates of Deep Water Alcyonaceans: Atlantic and Pacific Patterns

L. Watling

Sea fans and soft corals are common members of tropical shallow water reef communities. As with their shallow water counterparts, deep-dwelling alcyonaceans are often devoid of invertebrate residents. Three groups that have been able to successfully colonize living alcyonaceans, however, are the crinoids, brittle stars, and scaled polychaete worms. The former are facultative associates, whereas the brittle stars, worms, and other invertebrates seem to be obligate commen- sals. The scale-worms are found on several octocoral families but seem to be abundant on members of the family Prim- noidae, where they can elicit changes in the formation of the sclerites by the host species. Brittle stars, on the other hand, are the most ubiquitous of all invertebrates living on deep water alcyonacean corals, being found on members of nearly all families. Cold water octocorals in the North Pacific appear to have higher levels of commensalistic invertebrates than their counterparts in the Atlantic. In the North Atlantic, the presence of deep water alcyonaceans increases biodiversity levels only slightly because the number of associated species is low, but in the North Pacific biodiversity levels are increased considerably.

Darling Marine Center, University of Maine, Walpole, ME, USA [tel: 1-207-563-3146 x248; e-mail: wat- [email protected]]

ICES CM 2004/AA:03 Withdrawn

Demersal fish distribution and abundance in deepsea coral and surrounding sedimentary seabed

Pascal Lorance and Karine Olu

Fishes were counted from the video records from the front Camera of an ROV used to survey 5 sites to the south west of Ireland from 600 to 1000 m. Each site included carbonated mounds covered by dense coral colonies, and the survey area covered both the coral habitat and the surrounding sedimentary seabed. For some sites, bentic habitats were further categorized according to the density and status (alive, dead, debris) of corals and other organisms.

Distribution and density of fish were estimated for the coral and sedimentary habitats. On some sites obvious trawl marks on the seabed indicated trawling activity around the seamounts, however, impacts of trawling in the coral habitat itself where seldom observed suggesting that sedimentary habitat are exploited while seamounts are less fished. In addition to trawling around the coral habitat, the observation of lost nets and debris of fishing gears indicate that some fishing effort from static gears is exerted in the coral habitat itself.

Strong differences in fish density and species composition were observed between the coral and sedimentary habitats. For a number of species this is discussed in terms of habitats preference and local effect of fisheries exploitation. Dif- ferences between seamounts reflect effects of factors such as depth, latitude and local hydrology.

Keywords: deepsea corals, fish density, fish community, visual census, impact of fishing.

Pascal Lorance: IFREMER, BP 70, 29280 Plouzané, France, [tel: +33(0)298224649; fax: +33(0)298224653, email: [email protected]]. Karine Olu: same address

ICES CM 2004/AA:04

The 3rd International Symposium on Deep-Sea Corals – the world comes to tropical Miami to discuss coldwater corals and other deep-sea habitat and associated fauna

Robert J. Brock, R. George, and L. Watling

1 With millions of people continually moving to the coast, water quality, habitat, and the fisheries that depend upon natu- rally functioning ecosystem processes are under constant assault. Because of coastal eutrophication, degradation and loss of habitat, and declines in fish stocks, human activities have pushed further and further offshore into deeper water out of necessity. Technological advances continue to strive to make activities such as trawl fishing, oil and gas explora- tion, mineral extraction, and the laying of telecommunication cables in deeper water more cost effective and feasible. Effective management decisions ensuring that deep-water ecosystems are sustainable can only occur with the availabil- ity of sound science. Between November 28 – December 2, 2005, deep-sea scientists from around the world will share with each other insights into: a) coldwater coral taxonomy and molecular genetics; b) habitat mapping, sampling and characterization tools and techniques of coldwater corals and other important deep- sea structural habitats; c) geology, paleontology and climate change using coldwater corals; d) biodiversity and microbial and invertebrate associations with coldwater corals; e) fisheries and fish ecology; f) ecosystem-based approaches to effectively managing important deep-sea habitat; g) biology, growth and reproduction of coldwater corals; and h) the conservation and effective management of the deep-sea.

Keywords: coldwater corals, deep-sea habitat, fisheries, seamounts, ecosystems

Robert J. Brock, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Fisheries), Office of Science and Technology, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland USA (tel: + 1 301-713-2363. fax + 1 301-713-1875), e-mail: [email protected]. R. George: George Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability, Wilmington, North Carolina USA 28409. L. Watling, University of Maine, Darling Marine Center, Walpole, Maine USA 04573

ICES CM 2004/AA:05

Macrofaunal structure and habitat utilization within deep coral bank communities on the southeastern United States slope

Martha S. Nizinski, Steve W. Ross, and Kenneth J. Sulak

Deep coral banks, composed mostly of Lophelia pertusa, occur in scattered patches off the southeastern US (350-700 m). Fish and invertebrate communities of these banks are poorly known. Also, the affinity of organisms for reef habitat in the deep sea is not well understood. From 2000-2004 we surveyed the macrofauna of deep coral banks off the Caro- linas using a research submersible and bottom trawls. We documented community structure (composition, abundance, sizes, habitat utilization) of macrofauna on and near the coral habitat, and investigated to what extent the fauna is obligate to the reef. In particular how are organisms distributed within the reef structure (prime high reef, secondary low colonies, coral rubble zones)? Continental slope Lophelia coral banks off the southeastern US support a distinctive fish assemblage compared to non-coral habitats of similar depths. We have identified over 41 fish species and approxi- mately 20 invertebrate species on coral banks.

Numerically dominant fish species observed on this habitat include Beryx decadactylus, Helicolenus dactylopterus, Laemonema melanurum, Hoplostethus occidentalis, Conger oceanicus, and L. barbatulum. Numerically dominate invertebrates include two crustaceans (Eumunida picta, Rochinia crassa) and four echinoderms (Ophiacantha bidentata, Echinus gracilis, E. tylodes, Novodinia antillensis ). Several fishes (Squalus asper, L. melanurum, H. occidentalis , S. meadi, and B. decadactylus) may be restricted to the coral habitat and should be considered primary reef fishes. The invertebrates, however, are common locally and may use the habitat more opportunistically.

Further investigation will add species to this deep reef assemblage and help refine our hypothesis of primary reef associates versus opportunistic reef utilization.

Keywords: Lophelia, western Atlantic, community structure, habitat utilization, associated fauna.

Martha S. Nizinski: NOAA/NMFS National Systematics Laboratory, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC 20560, USA [tel: +1 202 357 2639; fax +1 202 357 2986; email: [email protected]]. Steve W. Ross: Center for Marine Science, Univ. North Carolina-Wilmington, 5600 Marvin Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409, USA [tel: +1 910 395 3905, email: [email protected]]. Kenneth J. Sulak: U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Aquatic Re- source Studies, 7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA. [tel: +1 352 264 3500, fax: +1 352 378 4956, email: [email protected]].

2 ICES CM 2004/AA:06

Lophelia bioherms and lithoherms as fish habitats on the Blake Plateau: Biodiversity and Sustainability

Robert Y. George

With the decline of fisheries in shallow continental shelf, there is a likelihood for commercial and sports-fishing pres- sure dipping down to deep-waters and deep-sea over the slope and the seamounts. It is now well-known that dense ag- gregations of scleractinian coral Lophelia pertusa at bathyal depths (300 to 950 m) on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean constitute fish habitats with high concentrations of non-target and commerical fish species. Oculina reefs off central Florida became the first MPAs in EEZ in the US coast in 1980s but in 1990s failure in management strategies resulted in habitat loss and fish decline (grouper and snapper species). The South Atlantic Fisheries Management Coun- cil (SAFMC) defined the Oculina reefs as Essential Fisheries Habitat with a HAPC status (Habitat Areas of Particular Concern). North and east of the Oculina reserve are a series of Lophelia reefs that are mostly lithotherms along the Hat- teras-Florida slope upto North Carolina (300 -500 m) and possibly bioherms at deeper depths at > 800 m on the eastern edge of Blake Plateau. This paper describes six potential MPAs on Blake Plateau for the purpose of developing an ecosystem approach for sustainability and management of fisheries resources with emphasis on bycatch avoidance, species interaction, biodiversity characterization and an innovative new method to delineate the trophodynamics of the Lophelia ecosytsem.

Keywords: Lophelia reefs, deep-sea commericial fisheries and biodiversity, ecosystem appraoch for management.

Robert Y. George, George Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability, 305 Yorkshire Lane, Wilmington. North Caro- lina 28409, USA. Ph. No. 910-799-4722, E-mail: [email protected]

ICES CM 2004/AA:07

Evidence of major fisheries impact on cold-water corals in the deep waters off the Porcupine Bank, west coast of Ireland: are interim management measures required?

Anthony Grehan, V. Unnithan, A. Wheeler, X. Monteys,, T. Beck, M. Wilson, J. Guinan, J.H. Spencer, A. Foubert, M. Klages, and J. Thiede.

Measures to conserve representative examples of cold-water coral reefs in Ireland through the designation of sites as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under the EC Habitats Directive are underway. However, evidence of damage to corals by fishing obtained during the RV “Polarstern” expedition ARK XIX Leg 3A to the Porcupine Sea Bight and Bank during summer 2003 suggests 2003 suggest that more immediate management measures are required. A total of 9 dives were carried out with the IFREMER deep-sea 'VICTOR 6000' Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) on carbonate mound and deep-water coral locations in the study area. High resolution video and close-up digital stills were used to document the impact of fishing activity and the presence of lost gears. A series of mounds and scarps investigated along the western edge of the Porcupine Bank, in water depths of 600-1000m, were most severely impacted. One dou- ble mound system, named the Twin Mounds, appeared to be heavily trawled, as evidenced by the presence of trawl scars, barren sediment and flattened coral rubble. On the nearby Giant Mound, images of lost trawl gear filled with coral (some of it still living), provided clear evidence that reefs are being destroyed by present fishing activities. The results presented provide irrefutable proof of a serious threat from current fishing practices to the physical integrity of the pristine and physically complex deep-water coral ecosystem. The need for interim measures to protect deep-water corals in the period before SAC designation becomes effective is discussed.

Keywords: deep-water corals, fishing impacts, ecosystem management, Common Fisheries Policy.

Anthony Grehan: Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland [tel: +353 91 512004, email: [email protected]]. V. Unnithan: International University Bremen, Bremen, Germany [[email protected]]. A. Wheeler: Department of Geology, University College Cork, Ireland [a.wheeler.ucc.ie]. X. Monteys: Geological Survey of Ireland [[email protected]]. T. Beck: Institute of Paleontology, Erlangen Uni- versity, Germany [[email protected]]. M. Wilson J. Guinan:Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Na- tional University of Ireland [[email protected], [email protected]]. J.H. Spencer: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK [[email protected]]. A. Foubert: Renard Centre of Marine Geology, University of Ghent, Belgium [[email protected]]. M. Klages J. Thiede: Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany [[email protected], jthiede@awi- bremerhaven.de]

3 ICES CM 2004/AA:08

Status of mapping and management of cold-water coral reefs in Norway

Jan Helge Fosså, John Alvsvåg and Pål B. Mortensen

The Institute of Marine Research has performed a mapping programme since 1997 on the Norwegian continental shelf and break. This has provided an extensive database containing a total of 763 records of coral occurrences, both dam- aged and undamaged sites. Several major coral reefs covering extensive areas have been identified, which has improved the understanding of where Lophelia reefs are likely to occur and how they develop. In 1999 the Norwegian fisheries authorities instituted regulations for the protection of coral reefs in Norwegian waters in accordance with the Sea Fish- eries Act and the Act related to the EEZ of Norway. The regulation prohibits deliberately destruction of coral reefs and requires precaution when fishing in the vicinity of known reefs. The regulation also gives special protection to specified and particularly valuable coral reefs by totally banning bottom trawling. At present, five coral areas have been given special protection in Norway; the Sula Reef, Iverryggen reef area, the Røst Reef, Tisler and Fjellknausene reef areas. In addition, the world's shallowest known Lophelia-reef, Selligrunnen, raising up to 39 m depth below the surface, has been given protection on an interim basis according to the Norwegian Nature Conservation Act. In a proposed system of Marine Protected Areas in Norway these reefs are included and several more reefs will be incorporated.

Keywords: Deep-water coral reefs, Lophelia pertusa, mapping, managment, conservation.

Jan H. Fosså: Benthic Habitat Research Group, Institute of Marine Research, N-5017 Bergen, Norway [tel: + 47 55 238533, fax: + 47 55 236830, email: jan.helge.fosså@imr.no]. John Alvsvåg: Benthic Habitat Research Group, Insti- tute of Marine Research, N-5017 Bergen, Norway [tel: + 47 55 238670, fax: + 47 55 236830, email: [email protected]]. Pål Buhl Mortensen: Benthic Habitat Research Group, Institute of Marine Research, N-5017 Bergen, Norway [tel: + 47 55 236815, fax: + 47 55 236830, email: [email protected]].

ICES CM 2004/AA:09

The influence of deepwater coral habitat and fishing on benthic faunal assemblages of seamounts on the Chat- ham Rise, New Zealand

A. A. Rowden, M. R. Clark, and S. O’Shea

Seamounts are prominent and widely distributed features of the New Zealand marine environment, and also the focus of important commercial fisheries and some exploratory mineral mining. Scientists in New Zealand are involved in a number of integrated programmes to study the physical and biological processes of seamounts. In 2001 a study was undertaken of eight of the ‘Graveyard’ seamounts (depth at peak 748–1004 m) on the Chatham Rise, an area that has been heavily trawled for orange roughy since the early 1990s. Half of the study seamounts were considered ‘unfished’ (total of <10 trawls per seamount) and the other ‘fished’ (total of 40–1500 trawls per seamount). Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages of each seamount were sampled using epibenthic sleds, whilst the presence of habitat-forming fauna (e.g. live corals), substrate type and indications of trawling (e.g. trawl door marks) were determined using a towed un- derwater camera that took images 2-5m above the seabed. Analyses of resulting data revealed that the assemblage composition of ‘fished’ and ‘unfished’ seamounts was significantly different, and that ‘unfished’ seamounts possessed a relatively large amount of coral habitat (30% of seabed images, 52% mean cover) comprising live Solenosmilia variab- lis and Madrepora oculata (predominantly on the seamount peaks) whilst ‘fished’ seamounts possessed relatively little coral habitat (2% of seabed images, 2% mean cover). Substrate was heterogenous on all seamounts, although seabed images indicated that ‘fished’ seamounts had a greater proportion of the substrate type “coral rubble” than ‘unfished’ seamounts (77% versus 65% of images, 41% versus 33% mean cover). Indications of trawling were observed over seven times more frequently on seabed images from ‘fished’ as opposed to ‘unfished’ seamounts. Multivariate analyses revealed that the variability observed in macroinvertebrate assemblage composition between the study seamounts can in-part be explained by the relative occurrence of live coral and coral rubble (both structural habitats). The results of the study are discussed with respect to New Zealand’s national seamount management strategy, the subsequent protection from fishing of three of the study seamounts (1 ‘fished’ and 2 ‘unfished’), and the need for ongoing monitoring and research to derive conservation practices that allow for sustainable seamount fisheries.

Ashley A. Rowden: National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Greta Point, Private Bag 14-901, Kil- birnie, Wellington, New Zealand [tel: + 64 4 386 0394, fax: + 64 4 386 2153, email: [email protected]].

4 ICES CM 2004/AA:10

Species diversity and spatial distribution of invertebrates on Lophelia reefs in Norway

Pål Buhl Mortensen and Jan Helge Fosså

Species diversity and spatial distribution patterns of invertebrates on Lophelia pertusa-reefs in mid-Norway is described. Coral samples from seven reefs (four coastal and three offshore) were collected with Remotely Operated Vehi- cle, triangular dredge, and van Veen grab. A total of 391 species were identified among which two, Anarthropoda monodon (Bryozoa), and Leptasterias islandica (Asteroidea) are new to Norway. Both the species diversity and abundance was higher in dead corals than in live. Only three species were found living in direct contact with the coral’s soft tissue. Even though none of the species are found exclusively on the reefs some are rare in other habitats. Lophelia reefs are probably essential habitats to many benthic invertebrates and may also be important in sustaining high species diversity in other nearby hard bottom habitats. The associated fauna differed between continental shelf-reefs and coast and fjord-reefs. This was most evident for Foraminifera, Cnidaria, Amphipoda, Bryozoa and Tunicata. The results of this investigation were compared with those of three earlier studies in the Northeast Atlantic. Together with these, a total of 775 species have been recorded. Only 14 were common for all four studies. Foraminifera and Bryozoa were the most species rich groups with 52 and 50 species, respectively. Number of species and individuals per sample were highest for triangular dredge and lowest for ROV. The average number of individuals per 100 g coral was comparable between dredge and grab. To describe the spatial distribution of invertebrates within a Lophelia-reef, and to increase the sampling precision, we recommend to use a grab equipped with a video camera because it effectively samples the fauna and damages less coral compared to a dredge.

Keywords: Deep-water corals, Lophelia pertusa, associated fauna, species diversity, sampling methods

Pål Buhl Mortensen: Benthic Habitat Research Group, Institute of Marine Research, N-5017 Bergen, Norway [tel: + 47 55 236815, fax: + 47 55 236830, email: [email protected]]. Jan Helge Fosså: Benthic Habitat Research Group, Institute of Marine Research, N-5017 Bergen, Norway [tel: + 47 55 238533, fax: + 47 55 236830, email: jan.helge.fosså@imr.no].

ICES CM 2004/AA:11 Poster

Distribution and diversity of species associated with deep-water gorgonian corals off Atlantic Canada

Lene Buhl-Mortensen and Pål B. Mortensen

Composition and distribution of the fauna associated with the deep-water gorgonian corals Paragorgia arborea and Primnoa resedaeformis is described based on material from the continental shelf and slope off Atlantic Canada (300- 600m depth). Samples were collected from five areas with Remotely Operated Vehicle, video grab, and bottom trawl.

A total of 114 species and 3915 individuals were recorded. The P. resedaeformis fauna was more abundant and diverse than the fauna of P. arborea, with 2651 specimens and 97 species found on the former and 1264 specimens and 47 species on the latter. Rarefaction analysis indicated that many more associated species are still to be found. Species richness and abundance was significantly correlated with coral morphology (e.g. number of branches, wet weight, and % exposed skeleton). Crustaceans dominated the fauna, contributing 46 % to the total number of individuals and 26% to the total number of species. Two coral microhabitats were identified: 1) young and live parts of colonies and, 2) old parts with deposits and exposed skeleton. Most of the associated fauna was found in the latter habitat. There was a clear difference in fauna composition of the two coral species. Sessile hydroids, anemones, and molluscs were more abundant on P. resedaeformis. These organisms occurred attached to the hard substratum provided by the exposed skeleton. Para- sitic copepods and polychaetes were more common on P. arborea. Two copepods, a lichomolgid ecto-parasite and a lamippid gall-forming endo-parasite, were associated with P. arborea. The echinoderm Gorgonocephalus lamarckii was found in the high current environment on the outer branches of P. arborea. The shrimp Pandalus propinquus was hiding and resting on colonies of both coral species.

Many of the associated taxa are also found on tropical gorgonians but the deep-water gorgonians lack the diverse deca- pod and gastropod-fauna of their tropical counterparts. The species richness of the deep-water gorgonian coral fauna was higher than what has been observed for tropical gorgonians. In contrast to the tropical associates very few are obligate symbionts. Nevertheless, several of the species are rare in other habitats and have been recorded on the same and other gorgonian species in early studies from the eastern North Atlantic. There was a clear difference in faunal composition in samples collected with different gears. Corals from bottom trawls had a poorer associated fauna differing in composition with material collected by ROV or video assisted grab.

5 Keywords: Deep-water gorgonian corals, Primnoa resedaeformis, Paragorgia arborea, associated fauna, species diversity, sampling methods

Lene Buhl-Mortensen: Benthic Habitat Research Group, Institute of Marine Research, N-5017 Bergen, Norway [tel: + 47 55 236936, fax: + 47 55 236830, email: [email protected]]. Pål B. Mortensen: Benthic Habitat Research Group, Institute of Ma- rine Research, N-5017 Bergen, Norway [tel: + 47 55 236815, fax: + 47 55 236830, email: på[email protected]].

ICES CM 2004/AA:12

Lophelia pertusa landscapes and megafaunal biotopes on the Blake Plateau off the southeastern U.S.

Kenneth J. Sulak, Steve W. Ross, and Martha S. Nizinski

Lophelia pertusa reefs occur on the Blake Plateau from Cape Hatteras southward; nearly all known reefs align closely with the core of the Gulf Stream. Prime high reef landscape occurs on the narrow northern tail of the Blake Plateau where bottom currents are 0.25-0.50 m/sec. This landscape comprises pure stands of robust, densely-branched Lophelia bushes, with few other megafaunal invertebrates attached to the substrate. Reefs form on complex ridges and mounds (possible fossil coral bioherms), populating up-current flanks and crests. Lophelia displays an upright growth form (to 3 m), with little anastomosing of the long thin branches. Secondary Lophelia landscape is prevalent off South Carolina to Florida; comprising regularly distributed patches of live and dead coral bushes, up to 1 m high and 3 m long, on a carpet of dead coral rubble. Growth form is low and dense, with extensive branching and anastomosing. Glass sponges and black and corals are important, visually dominating the patchy landscape. Tertiary Lophelia landscapes consist of isolated colonies (< 0.5 m high) within a mosaic of rubble and barren substrate. Each comparative landscape supports different mobile megafauna species; the total Lophelia associated fauna is distinct from that of the open substrate. Prime reef displays the highest megafaunal diversity and density. Some species, such as the ophiuroid, Ophiacantha bidentata, attain enormous abundance within the coral matrix. Others such as the hake, Laemonema melanurum, and the galatheid crab, Eumunida picta, are common prime reef associates, less prevalent on secondary and tertiary landscapes, absent on open substrate.

Keywords: Lophelia, landscapes, biotopes, megafauna, faunal differentiation, Blake Plateau

Kenneth J. Sulak: U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Aquatic Resource Studies, 7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA [tel: +1 352 264 3500, fax: +1 352 378 4956, email: [email protected]] Steve W. Ross: Center for Ma- rine Science, Univ. North Carolina-Wilmington, 5600 Marvin Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409, USA [tel: +1 910 395 3905, email: [email protected]] Martha S. Nizinski: NOAA/NMFS National Systematics Laboratory, National Mu- seum of Natural History, Washington, DC 20560, USA [tel: +1 202 357 2639; fax +1 202 357 2986; email: nizin- [email protected]]