SOCIB, TMOOS and IEO are working on a model to predict the spawning areas and larval survival rates of bluefin tuna in the Balearic Sea

A scientific team has embarked for four days aboard the research vessel "Odón de Buen" for carrying out the first of a series of hydrographic and planktonic campaigns that will be developed throughout this year, in order to collect the necessary data for parameterization and validation of models to predict the location of the spawning areas of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in the Balearic Sea and larval survival rates.

To characterize the environmental scenarios in these areas, researchers have sampled a number of locations in two areas from the Pitiusas and Cabrera, as defined previously by analysis of satellite images provided by scientists from the TMOOS and SOCIB. The work consisted in obtaining hydrographic data and biological samples in areas of confluence of Mediterranean surface waters and Atlantic waters, which taking into account the results of previous studies are more likely to find tuna larvae to determine gradients of abundance of bluefin tuna larvae related to the distribution of these waters.

This action is part of the research project "Sustainable use of marine living resources: the impact of the variability of the Mediterranean on reproduction and population dynamics of bluefin tuna (the acronym BlueFin)", this project is the result of a specific collaboration agreement between the IEO and the Coastal Observing System in the Balearic Islands(SOCIB), a Singular Scientific and Technological Infrastructure (ICTS) located in the Balearic Islands.

The BlueFin project, which will last until 2014, also involved researchers from the Department of Marine Technology, Operational Oceanography and Sustainability (TMOOS) from the IMEDEA (UIB-CSIC), has as main goal the development of operational models for predicting the location of the area for tuna reproduction and estimate the recruitment level of bluefin tuna taking into account variations in larval survival rates derived from changes in environmental scenarios.