Corals in Cascais and Sines target of study by MARE researchers
The first incorporation of fishing nets into live cold-water corals was recorded in Portugal.
Portugal was, once again, the stage for a world premiere in scientific research. In Sines and Cascais, a group of researchers from MARE – Center for Marine and Environmental Sciences recorded for the first time the incorporation of fishing nets into the skeleton of living corals. Until now, several examples of corals entangled in nets have been known, but their incorporation into living matter is unprecedented. MARE researchers are now studying the consequences of this phenomenon.
On the Portuguese coast, there are hard corals called cold-water corals. They differ from warm water species in that they do not incorporate photosynthetic organisms (zooxanthellae). Unknown to most of the public, orange coral is one of the most eye-catching. It has an orange arborescent structure with white polyps and grows up to one meter long. It is classified as being in danger, with the places where it lives considered vulnerable ecosystems and a priority for protection.
“In times past, abandoning fishing nets at sea was a common practice. Fortunately, today it is already rare, but the loss of networks continues to occur. These plastic fishing nets and threads remain at the bottom of the sea, covering many species such as corals, which generally leads to their damage and death”, begins by explaining Sónia Seixas, researcher at MARE and Professor at Universidade Aberta. “The samples we obtained were the result of accidental collections with fishing gear, in Sines and Cascais and what we verified, and which we did not find reported in the literature, is that this coral incorporates these plastic nets or lines into its structure, as required. which is growing. As this coral grows slowly, we believe that in some cases the nets are old.”
The consequences of this discovery are still unknown. It is known that, to date, there were no similar records – the research has just been published, for the first time worldwide, in the scientific journal Marine Pollution Bulletin by MARE/ARNET scientists Sónia Seixas, João Parrinha, Pedro Gomes and Filipa Bessa.
“Of the corals we observed, 6% had embedded threads, with network nodes visible in some. We still don’t know if this harms the coral – we will soon carry out more studies to determine its effect”, concludes Sónia Seixas.
About MARE
MARE – Center for Marine and Environmental Sciences – is a center for scientific research, technological development and innovation with skills for the study of all aquatic ecosystems, on the continental slope and at sea. Promotes the sustainable use of resources and ocean literacy by disseminating scientific knowledge and supporting sustainable development policies. Created in 2015, it integrates 7 Regional Research Units associated with the following institutions: University of Coimbra (MARE-UCoimbra), Polytechnic of Leiria (MARE-Politecnico de Leiria), University of Lisbon (MARE-ULisboa), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (MARE -NOVA), ISPA – University Institute (MARE-ISPA), University of Évora (MARE-UÉvora) and ARDITI (MARE-Madeira).
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