Environmental factors affecting the distribution of deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris, ) abundance in the Strait of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea)

The distribution of deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris, FAO 3 alpha code DPS), the main target species of demersal fisheries in the Strait of Sicily, is investigated in relation to surface parameters and biogeochemical processes. Such processes are known to influence sea bottom habitats and may be particularly relevant to the Strait of Sicily because of its relative shallowness and high surface primary production. Shrimp abundances recorded during multi-annual and seasonal trawl surveys (2004–2008) are analyzed. A GAMM and GAM model analysis is performed comparing juvenile abundances to monthly mean spatial patterns of remotely-sensed sea surface temperature (SST) and surface chlorophyll (chl), as well as their frontal structures, with a time-lag of one month, given the pelagic behavior of DPS early life stages preceding settlement. Juvenile and total shrimp abundances are also compared to the flux of particulate organic carbon (POC) to the seabed. The POC flux is computed via 1-D and 3-D models simulating sinking, re-mineralization and horizontal advection and diffusion of surface POC. The latter is derived from surface primary production maps obtained from ocean color data. Results show that the abundance of the juvenile fraction of DPS is significantly correlated with depth, distance to SST fronts and the intensity of chl fronts (correlation R2 = 80%). Furthermore, results strongly suggest the significant role of bottom POC flux in conditioning the distribution of DPS abundance, indicating that ecological processes occurring in surface waters influence food availability near the seabed in the investigated area.