BUSCADOR RECOLECTA

AL-IDRISSI Cruise (29SG20160911) carried out on the Research Vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa in 2016, OBS deployment cruise for monitoring the seismicity of Southern Alboran, High resolution mapping of Al-Idrissi fault segments using multibeam probe and TOPAS

MEDWAVES Cruise (29SG20160921) carried out on the Research Vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa in 2016, MEDiterranean out flow WAter and Vulnerable EcosystemS (MEDWAVES). Background and Aims MEDWAVES: The Strait of Gibraltar (SG) and the surrounding areas, Gulf of Cadiz (GoC) in the Atlantic, and Alboran sea (AS) in the Mediterranean, are key areas to understand the distribution and connectivity of marine communities (Patarnello et al. 2007), as the SG and the encounter of water masses at the Almeria Oran front represent an oceanographic transition area, connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea (Lacombe & Richez 1982). The Mediterranean water flows out from Gibraltar (MOW), extends towards the East of the Atlantic, building a warm and salty water mass which propagates in North West direction from Portugal originating the “Mediterranean Water“ (MW) in the Atlantic. This warm and salty water mass becomes characteristic of the North Atlantic in mid waters (around 1100 m) (Candela 2001). The occurrence of cold-water coral (CWC) communities in the NE Atlantic has been related to the pathway of the MOW, whereby this current system would have an historical influence on the migration of coral larvae and (re)colonization of the Atlantic in the post-glacial era (De Mol et al. 2005, Henry et al. 2014). The MEDWAVES (MEDiterranean out flow WAter and Vulnerable EcosystemS) cruise target areas under the potential influence of the MOW within the Mediterranean and Atlantic realms. These include seamounts where CWC have been reported but that are still poorly known, and which may act as essential “stepping stones” connecting fauna of seamounts in the Mediterranean with those of the continental shelf of Portugal, the Azores and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. During MEDWAVES sampling will be conducted through two of the case studies of ATLAS: Case study 7 (Gulf of Cadiz-Strait of Gibraltar-Alboran Sea) and Case study 8 (Azores). The main goals of the cruise are: (1) to characterize physically and biogeochemically the MOW Path and understand its interaction with the general Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) stream, from the Alboran Sea to the Azores, through the Gulf of Cadiz, and the Ormonde Seamount (see map), exploring the relationship between the oceanographic settings of these target areas and the ecosystems therein (ATLAS WP1 and WP3) and (2) to characterize communities associated to the transition area, and sample for population genetic analysis aiming at understanding the way the populations located in the target areas contribute or have contributed to connectivity between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean (ATLAS WP3 and WP4). Results gathered during the cruise will also contribute later to feed other ATLAS WPs. The activities planned to achieve these aims are presented in the brief description of the work program of the different research teams participating in ATLAS (Work program of the research teams)

DREAMER-1 Cruise (29SG20170313) carried out on the Research Vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa in 2017, The European hake, Merluccius merluccius L., is one of the most important economical fisheries in the North-East Atlantic that also plays a key role in the marine ecosystem. After the implementation by the EU of various recovery plans for both stocks, the spawning biomass has recently recuperated, after more than two decades under the security limits. However, recruitment remains highly variable, and in the case of the Southern stock (SS) still decreasing. The overall objective of the project is to analyze the causes that determine hake recruitment with special attention to the demographic and environmental causes and focusing in particular in the seasonal differences in the spawning pattern (SS hake shows two spawning peaks, in late winter and late spring-summer), larval distribution, trophic dynamics of larvae, seasonal differences in recruitment and connectivity patterns between stocks. To achieve these objectives the project will carry out two research surveys, in March and June 2017 within the main hake spawning area, between Cape Finisterre and Eo estuary. The main goals of the surveys are to determine the distributional pattern of hake larvae and the factors determining the observed pattern (climatic, oceanographic and foraging) and collecting biological samples in several life stages: from larvae to young of the year recruits. March survey (DRE0317) was divided in two legs. The first one aimed to characterize environmental conditions and larval abundance along 18 transects orthogonal to the coast, covering the whole research area, and summing 114 fixed stations. Each transect was drawn every 8 nautical miles, while the stations within transect was separated every 4 nm. In each station it was performed an oblique Bongo (60 cm, 500 m mesh size), a vertical pairovet (60 and 150 m) and a CTD profile to estimate hake larval abundance, ichthyoplankton community, micro and mesozooplankton and oceanographic parameters, respectively. In addition during this leg an ODI (Ocean Drifter Iridium) buoy with a 50 m drogue was released. The second leg aimed to catch hake postlarvae using IKMT and MIK nets and young of the year recruits using bottom trawl fishing gears (BACA and GOV). An image from every hake larvae collected was recorded and each larva was individually frozen at -80ºC. All other plankton material was preserved in either formalin or in 96º EtOH. A full biological sampling was conducted for juveniles, including measuring size and weight, and removal of otoliths, gonads, stomach and a muscle tissue piece, as well an estimation of the size frequency. A large number of recruits were additionally frozen for later analysis in the laboratory

PES Cruise (29SG20170531) carried out on the Research Vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa in 2017, PES Research Project: Pockmarks and fluid escape structures in the Esporão of Extremadura From 31 May to 5 June a team of IPMA researchers participated and coordinated the PES oceanographic campaign, carried out on board the Sarmiento de Gamboa Research Ship. The campaign was integrated into the PES research project: Pockmarks and fluid escape structures in the Esporão of Extremadura: implications for regional geology, biology and oil systems, with funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology (PTDC / GEO-FIQ / 5162/2014). This cruise departed in Vigo on 31 May and returned to Lisbon on 5 June. In addition to the IPMA researchers (Vitor Magalhaes, Teresa Drago, Ana Isabel Rodrigues and Joana Raimundo), there were also technicians and researchers from the Mission Structure for the Extension of the Continental Platform (EMEPC), University of Aveiro and Instituto Superior Técnico. During this campaign, 270 nautical miles of multi-beam bathymetry, 45 nautical miles of multichannel reflection seismic (with two different systems and complementary resolutions), 21 sampling stations and 1 dive with the Luso ROV (EMEPC) were acquired. New occurrences of pockmarks have been identified in the Esporão of Extremadura, and the data collected will allow characterizing the activity of these structures. This campaign also allowed the successful testing of the AUV Medusa sea, developed under the MEDUSA DEEP SEA (medusadeepsea.com) project of which the IPMA is part, and which culminated with a dive at 1219 m depth thus giving a important step in the design of exploring and mapping the deep sea with Portuguese technology

DREAMER-2 Cruise (29SG20170617) carried out on the Research Vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa in 2017, The European hake, Merluccius merluccius L., is one of the most important economical fisheries in the North-East Atlantic that also plays a key role in the marine ecosystem. After the implementation by the EU of various recovery plans for both stocks, the spawning biomass has recently recuperated, after more than two decades under the security limits. However, recruitment remains highly variable, and in the case of the Southern stock (SS) still decreasing. The overall objective of the project is to analyze the causes that determine hake recruitment with special attention to the demographic and environmental causes and focusing in particular in the seasonal differences in the spawning pattern (SS hake shows two spawning peaks, in late winter and late spring-summer), larval distribution, trophic dynamics of larvae, seasonal differences in recruitment and connectivity patterns between stocks. To achieve these objectives the project will carry out two research surveys, in March and June 2017 within the main hake spawning area, between Cape Finisterre and Eo estuary. The main goals of the surveys are to determine the distributional pattern of hake larvae and the factors determining the observed pattern (climatic, oceanographic and foraging) and collecting biological samples in several life stages: from larvae to young of the year recruits. March survey (DRE0317) was divided in two legs. The first one aimed to characterize environmental conditions and larval abundance along 18 transects orthogonal to the coast, covering the whole research area, and summing 114 fixed stations. Each transect was drawn every 8 nautical miles, while the stations within transect was separated every 4 nm. In each station it was performed an oblique Bongo (60 cm, 500 m mesh size), a vertical pairovet (60 and 150 m) and a CTD profile to estimate hake larval abundance, ichthyoplankton community, micro and mesozooplankton and oceanographic parameters, respectively. In addition during this leg an ODI (Ocean Drifter Iridium) buoy with a 50 m drogue was released. The second leg aimed to catch hake postlarvae using IKMT and MIK nets and young of the year recruits using bottom trawl fishing gears (BACA and GOV). An image from every hake larvae collected was recorded and each larva was individually frozen at -80ºC. All other plankton material was preserved in either formalin or in 96º EtOH. A full biological sampling was conducted for juveniles, including measuring size and weight, and removal of otoliths, gonads, stomach and a muscle tissue piece, as well an estimation of the size frequency. A large number of recruits were additionally frozen for later analysis in the laboratory

FLUXES-1 Cruise (29SG20170711) carried out on the Research Vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa in 2017, Main goal: to quantify the lateral fluxes of organic matter through a sampling box of stations to estimate the role of POCs and DOC as sources and sinks of carbon in the region of study, compared to primary production, and the gravitational and active fluxes. Duration: 31 days (including navigation to/from Las Palmas) Activities: 38 stations, separated each other 50 nautical miles. An XBT will be dropped between each two stations to gain resolution for the inverse box-model

NSM-2017 Cruise (29SG20170819) carried out on the Research Vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa in 2017, It is intended to continue with the work undertaken in the previous cruises carried out in 2015 and 2016 in relation to knowledge of the wreck: - Wreck extension. - State of conservation of materials. - Dispersal of the remains of the Spanish ship. - Continue with the archaeological "mapping". - Advance in the interpretation and analysis of the wreck. - Extraction of the following elements, based on historical-cultural, museographic, conservation, archival and legal motivations: a.- Bronze culverin of the 16th century. Approximate weight: between 2,500 / 3,000 Kg. B.- A "bronze cannon" or "howitzer". Couple of the extracted in 2015. c.- Elements of the spoiled silverware (silver of Chafalonia) that appears in the documentation of the AGI. d.- We will also extract some elements that were filmed in 2015 and whose function we do not know. e.- Depending on the circumstances of the cruise, it is possible that the second culverin of the Mercedes will be extracted

ABIDES-ROV Cruise (29SG20170905) carried out on the Research Vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa in 2017, The ABIDES (Assessment of Bottom-trawling Impacts in DEep-sea Sediments) project focuses on the study of contemporary sedimentary processes associated to the impact of bottom trawling activities on the deep seafloor. The disturbance of deep-sea environments caused by this fishing practice is considered to be notably higher than all other anthropogenic pressures combined, given its intensity, recurrence and wide geographical distribution. Although the impacts of trawling on coastal and shelf environments have been investigated in the past from the sedimentary point of view, up to date, very few studies have addressed the role of this fishing practice on slope environments, where background energy levels controlling natural sedimentary processes are generally low and where the associated benthic ecosystems are less resilient and more vulnerable. Therefore, the main goal of the ABIDES project is to improve our knowledge of the contemporary sediment erosion, transport and accumulation processes driven by this anthropogenic activity, with the aim to assess the magnitude of the associated impacts in continental slope environments and to provide support for mitigation efforts towards the development of sustainable fisheries. During the ABIDES-ROV cruise we have conducted a morphological and seabed habitat characterization of the continental slope regions that have (and have not) been intensively trawled during decades, both at small- and large-scale with the aim to evaluate the “seafloor integrity”. The main study area has been the NW Mediterranean continental margin, where a bottom trawling fishery has been operating for decades and a good knowledge of the current bottom-trawling footprint exists. ROV footage has been used to determine the small-scale morphological changes and the impact caused by trawling gear on the seafloor habitats through direct visual observations; and detailed multibeam bathymetric mapping will be used to identify large-scale morphological changes caused by persistent trawling activities over major fishing grounds of the study area

FAUCES-1 Cruise (29SG20170925) carried out on the Research Vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa in 2017, The FAUCES-1 cruise is an activity carried out within the framework of the Spanish project entitled “Fauces” (CTM2015-65461-C2-R). The project addresses the study of marine geological hazards, with special emphasis on sedimentary instabilities associated with three submarine canyons located on the Mediterranean continental margins of southern Iberia (Palomares and Alboran margins). During the cruise will acquire data in specific areas along the submarine canyons axis and margins (Almanzora-Alías-Garrucha canyon head on the continental margin of Palomares, and the La Linea and Guadiaro canyon heads on the Alboran margin) with the aim of fit into the main objectives of the project: 1) to determine the geomorphology and geological evolution of the canyons, during the Quaternary, their processes and controlling factors; 2) to analyze the slope-stability of canyon heads by means of sedimentary and geotechnical characterizations; and 3) to establish the key elements and geological processes that can represent a potential hazard

FLUXES-2 Cruise (29SG20171102) carried out on the Research Vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa in 2017, The main goal of FLUXES is to quantify the relevance of labile and semi-labile dissolved (DOC) and suspended (POCs) organic carbon (i.e. non-sinking organic carbon) in the context of the biological pump (BP), in Eastern Boundary Upwelling Ecosystems (EBUE). The Cape Blanc region (NW Africa), characterized by a rich mesoscale variability resulting from the interaction of the upwelling system and the Cape Verde Frontal Zone that built up the Giant Filament, will be used as a case study. We want to test the hypothesis that offshore lateral advection of POCs, as well as secondary circulation at the submesoscale range and vertical mixing of DOC and POCs, contribute significantly to the export of organic carbon in EBUE. If we were correct, our results will invite reconsideration of regional and global models of the carbon cycle, including the non-sinking carbon as a major pool and flux. We presume also that the project will help to clarify some uncertainties and paradoxes on the imbalance between sources and sinks of carbon in the global ocean. We aim to address the coupled dynamics between food-web diversity and function, in relation to the hydrographic and chemical environment in distinct deep-water masses, the origin and composition of DOC and POCs and their contribution to remineralization rates in the dark ocean. The level of complexity of this project in terms of fieldwork activities, logistics and interdisciplinary science (combining physical oceanography, biogeochemistry, and biological oceanography) will require the coordination of several research groups with a proven record of experience and skills in their respective fields of knowledge, that have been collaborating for more than a decade in the coupling between physical processes, plankton community structure and metabolism, and carbon biogeochemistry in the Canary Current EBUE