BTS-Benthos: Survey data for ecosystem models (KB-14-012-029)

During the regular WOT Beam Trawl Survey (BTS), which is directed at sampling bottom fish, also benthic other animals are collected in the 8-m and 2-m beam trawl. This isn’t standard gear for benthic sampling. In this project catchability of the BTS gears and standard benthos gears is compared.

Results showed that the BTS gear mainly catches benthic animals living in the bottom, while standard benthic gear also collects animals living in the sediment. Hence the diversity with the BTS samples is lower. But a comparison of the species caught both in the BTS and other gears shows the same geographical and temporal trends.

Added value of the standard BTS survey is the use of the benthic data for estimating trends in the benthos.