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 Gallery 1: FAUNA  

Blue-mouth redfish (Helicolenus dactylopterus) Image obtained by the TFS-1 photogrammetry sledge at a depth of 536 m at the Le Danois Bank (El Cachucho) showing a Blue-mouth redfish (Helicolenus dactylopterus) on a sand bottom characterized by the bivalve Limopsis aurita and the brachiopod Gryphus vitreus.

Limopsis aurita The bivalve Limopsis aurita characterizes the benthic community inhabiting the coarse sand bottoms of the Le Danois Bank (El Cachucho) plain.

Gryphus vitreus The brachiopod Gryphus vitreus characterizes the benthic community inhabiting the sand bottoms of the Le Danois Bank (El Cachucho) plain.

Forkbeard (Phycis blennoides) Image obtained with the TFS-1 photogrammetric sledge at a depth of 458 m in the Le Danois (El Cachucho) Bank showing a forkbeard (Phycis blennoides) searching for food aided by its sensitive modified pelvic fins.

Sponge (Pheronema carpenteri) The sponge Pheronema carpenteri characterizes the benthic community inhabiting the muddy deep bottoms (800 -1000 m) of the marginal basin separating the Le Danois Bank from the Cantabrian Sea continental shelf.

Epizoanthus colony Immersion with the ROV at 125 m, during the TREBOL 2005 survey. A coraligenous formation with colonies of the antozoan Epizoanthus sp. characterizes the bottoms, which have not been altered by the trawling fleet, in the banned area of the central shelf of the Cantabrian Sea.

Rock and Corals Immersion with the ROV at 158 m during the TREBOL 2005 survey. Slightly altered bottom with ledge rock bearing Dendrophyllia cornigera corals and Leptometra celtica crinoids.

Gorgonia and Cachucho Immersion with the TFS-2 sledge at 550 m in the Le Danois Bank. Sandy bottom with rocky ledges with a large gorgonian (Callogorgia verticillata), a sponge and a fish of the species Beryx decadactylus, called cachucho by the fishermen of the area. The separation between laser points is 40 cm.

Giant Squid Giant squid (Taningia danae) captured by Avilés fishermen on inner basin of Le Danois Bank. In the image can be observed the great photophore (the biggest of animal kingdom) that is located in every arm II. This organ sparkle a lemon-yellow light. Tentacles are armed with two rows of strong hooks. This individual (a juvenile) weighted 10 kg.

Spiderfish The spiderfish (Bathypterois dubius) inhabit the inner basin of the Le Danois Bank. It’s a benthic species of the family Ipnopidae that lives deeper than 750 m in the european Atlantic. Its elongated upper pectoral fins rays are characteristic but with unknown utility.

Bathyal echinoid Bathyal echinoid Phormosoma placenta, photographed in its environment by the TFS-1 photogrammetric sledge. Also appears in the image an individual of the hermit crab Pagurus alatus.

Synaphobranchus Photogrammetric sledge image of a muddy-sand bottom in the inner basin (602 m depth), with two individuals of the bathydemersal eel Synapobranchus kaupii, and several scavenger amphipods of the species Orchomene pectinata.

Blackfish Blackfish (Centrolophus niger), an oceanic, epipelagic or mesopelagic species, captured in the inner basin of the Le Danois Bank. Juveniles occurred in surface waters and associated with pelagic medusas and salps, adults found deeper. Planktophagous.

Blackfin sorcerer Blackfin sorcerer (Nettastoma melanurum). Bathybenthic species, inhabiting burrow on muddy bottoms. This individual was capture at the top of the Le Danois bank. Mainly crustacivorous.

Helicocranchia The meso-bathypelagic cephalod Helicocranchia pfefferi, belonging to Cranchiidae family, captured at the top of the Le Danois bank. Orange/brown chromatophores form bands of sides of mantle.

Atlantic soft pout Atlantic soft pout (Melanostigma atlanticum), a bathypelagic zoarcid, captured in the inner basin of the Le Danois Bank.

Nephropsis atlantica Nephropsis atlantica, rare species inhabiting muddy bottoms between 470 and 1800 m. In Le Danois bank has been found in the top of the bank and also in the inner basin.

 Gallery 2: SAMPLERS  

TFS-1 Photogrammetric Sledge Ready to deploy the TFS-1 photogrammetric sledge from the R/V Vizconde de Eza (SGPM) during the ECOMARG 2003 survey. The system is designed to be in contact with the sea bottom, towed by a cable from the vessel´s stern up to a 2-knot speed. It can also be equipped with a bait device (trophic experiments) for static applications letting it lie on the bottom for long periods of time.

TFS-2 Photogrammetric Sledge Ready to deploy the TFS-2 photogrammetric sledge from the hydrography frame of the R/V Vizconde de Eza (SGPM) during the TREBOL 2005 survey. The system is designed to glide at a distance of between 2 and 8 metres from the bottom and may be towed with a cable from the vessel´s stern up to a speed of 3 knots or hanging in vertical position at a speed of 0.5 – 1.5 knots.

ROV Swordfish 600 Recovering the ROV Swordfish after a deep immersion (620 m) during the 2004 ECOMARG survey on board of the R/V Vizconde de Eza (SGPM). It is equipped with six vertical vectorial engines (4 horizontal and 2 vertical) and has a payload (equipment transport capacity) of up to 23 kg.

Arcachon Suprabenthic Sledge Recovering the Arcachon suprabenthic sledge during the 2003 ECOMARG survey. It consists of 3 m long and 0.5 mm mesh sized superimposed nets, and enables quantitative sampling of motile fauna in two water layers: 0-50 and 50-100 cm over the bottom.

Megabox-Corer Dredge Megabox-corer pull back manoeuvres. To handle this heavy dredge is very difficult in rough seas.

Photogrammetry Photogrammetric sledge image of a sandy bottom 458 m deep in the Le Danois Bank, with several individuals of the bentophagous forkbeard Phycis blennoides. Its extremely elongated pelvic fin rays work as tactil organs allowing them to search invertebrates in the sediment. Also appears an individual of the gastropod Colus gracilis. Grid allows obtain size of the photographed organisms.

Suprabenthic Sledge Collector Suprabenthic experts observing the sample obtained in one of the collectors of the suprabenthic sledge.

Feeding Habits Studies Feeding habits expert analysing stomach content of the triglid Trigla lucerna. Volume occupied by every prey species is quantified using a trophometer.

Arcachón Suprabenthic Sledge Vessel crew and ECOMARG project suprabenthic experts arming the suprabenthic sledge before sampling.

Photogrammetry Photogrammetric sledge image of a bottom 555 m deep in the Le Danois Bank (El Cachucho), with a gorgonia Callogorgia verticillata and Lowe’s beryx fish Beryx splendens. Grid from laser pointers allows obtains size of the photographed organisms.

VIDEO gallery: FAUNA and SAMPLERS

For a correct visualization of the ECOMARG web videos we recommend reading the HELP section     accessible from the horizontal navigation bar. Click on the blue button and go to the VIDEOS section.

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