Com o apoio de/with the support of:Governo dos Aores

ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

IMAR Centro do IMAR da Universidade dos Aores

DOP/Universidade dos Aores

NOAA - National Marine Fisheries Service

Census of Marine Life

Projecto CONDOR / EEA Grants

Projecto CoralFish

Cmara Municipal da Horta

OMA Observatrio do Mar dos Aores

ZON Aores

Marques e Silva Lda.

Museu da Horta

Sociedade Amor da Ptria

Turangra, Viagens e Turismo

Ficha Tcnica:

Elaborarao dos contedosGui MenezesVanda Carmo

CriaoBarro Aores

ImpressoNova Grfica

N. de Exemplares250

Index

IndexProgram.................................................................................................................

Abstracts of Contributions Oral Communications and Posters.......................

Session A - Governance and Legal Considerations.........................................

Session B and D - Energy and Mineral Exploration and Development, Climate Change and Ocean Acidification.......................................................

Session C and F - Deep Sea Technology and Biotechnology Research and Development........................................................................................................

Session E - Fisheries and Ecosystem Sustainability and Conservation.............

Special Session - Linking Deep Sea Science to International Decisions: Vulnerable and Ecologically Significant Areas..................................................

Notepad................................................................................................................

11

23

29

35

49

61

97

103

Program and Abstracts Book

9Gui Menezes (Portugal)Robert Brock (USA)

Anthony Grehan (Ireland)Peter Auster (USA)

Odd Askel Bergstad (Norway)Mrio Rui Pinho (Portugal)

Dana Yoerger (USA)Antnio Pascoal (Portugal)

Salvatory Arico (Italy)Telmo Morato (Portugal)Malcolm Clark (New Zealand)Ricardo S. Santos (Portugal)David Freestone (UK)Ana Colao (Portugal)Steve Scott (Canada)Marion Gehlen (France)

SECRETARIAT

Vanda CarmoSandra Silva

Sandra AndradeEva Giacomello

Luis CostaEmmanuel ArandAlexandra Rosa

Sara LuisIvo Cristo

Diana CatarinoIris SampaioPaulo CastroRicardo MedeirosRute MatosAlierta PereiraCarmelina LealTurangra, Viagens e Turismo

ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE - CHAIRS OF THE CONFERENCE

Gui Menezes (Portugal)

Robert Brock (USA)

INSTITUIES ORGANIZADORAS

IMAR Centro do IMAR da Universidade dos Aores

Governo dos Aores

ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

Universidade dos Aores Departamento de oceanografia e Pescas

NOAA - National Marine Fisheries Service

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC STEERING COMMITTEE

Program

12

PROGRAM

Sunday - 26 April

18:30 - 20:30 Welcome reception at venue; Attendees registrations; Posters reception at venue

Monday - 27 April8:30 - 9:00 9:00 - 10:00

10:20 - 10:40

10:40 - 11:00

11:00 - 11:20

11:20 - 11:35

11:35 - 11:50

11:50 - 12:05

12:05 - 12:20

12:20 - 12:40

12:40 - 12:55

12:55 - 14:15

Attendees registration (continuation) Opening session : Opening ceremony with the presence of local authorities

Opening lecture: Paul Tyler Title: A perspective on the deep-sea: from curiosity to service provider? Coffee / Health break

Session A Governance and Legal ConsiderationsCo-Chairs: Rebecca Lent; Ronan LongKN David Freestone

Title: Governance of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Towards a Principled Approach

A1 Authors: Marta Chantal RibeiroTitle: The environmental perspective: the legal challenges of protecting deep sea ecosystems through marine protected areas

A2 Authors: Lisa Speer and Kirsty GjerdeTitle: Governing the Deep: Options for Integrated Management

A5 Authors: Ins Farias, Teresa Moura, Joana Barosa, Carlos Macedo, Mike Armstrong and Ivone Figueiredo

Title: Cooperation between the fishing sector and the scientific community the black scabbardfish fishery in Portuguese continental slope case study

A6 Authors: Helena Calado, C. P. Lopes, R.S. Santos, S.V. Santos and L. Paramio Title: Legal Framework of the Azores Marine Park

KN Manuel Pinto de Abreu Title: Shaping the Oceans Future: The Continental Shelf Extension Program

E5 Authors: Halvor Knutsen, Per Erik Jorde, Morten Skogen and Nils C. Stenseth Title: Large-scale population structure in roundnose grenadier

Lunch

Session B and D - Energy and Mineral Exploration, Climate Change and Ocean AcidificationCo-Chairs: Marion Gehlen, Steve Scott, Dorik Stow

13

14:30 - 14:50

14:50 - 15:10

15:10 - 15:25

15:25 - 15:45

15:45 - 16:00

16:00 - 16:20

16:20 - 16:35

16:35 - 16:55

16:55 - 17:15

17:15 - 17:30

17:30 - 17:45

17:45 - 18:00

KN Steve Scott Title: Future Mining of Seafloor Massive Sulfides

KN Authors: Fernando Barriga, Jorge Relvas, Antnio PascoalTitle: Exploration for Massive Sulphide Deposits on the Sea Floor

B1 Authors: Cindy Lee Van Dover, J. Carlsson, P.-Y. Hsing, R. Jones, A. Sobel, T. Schultz and A. Thaler

Title: Mining of Seafloor Massive Sulfides and Biodiversity: Whats at Risk?

KN Dorrik StowTitle: Deep-Water Oil and Gas Exploration and Production: Current Challenge and Environmental Issues

B5 Authors: Harry H. Roberts and Robert S. CarneyTitle: Fluid-Gas Expulsion, Seafloor Response Features, and Chemosynthetic Communities: Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Slope

Coffee / Health break

B2 Authors: Lenaick Menot, Philippe Crassous, Jolle Galron and Myriam SibuetTitle: Long term in situ experiments on the macrobenthic response to drilling fluid contamination and organic matter enrichment on the Angola margin

B6 Authors: Robert S. Carney, Richard J. Weiland and Craig ScherschelTitle: Industry-conducted ROV surveys of chemosynthetic communities on two contrasting deep-sea floors for the purpose of habitat protection during hydrocarbon development

KN Marion GehlenTitle: Are Deep-Sea Ecosystems threatened by Human-Induced Changes in Seawater Chemistry?

D2 Authors: Linda Sedlacek, David Thistle, Kevin R. Carman, John W. Fleeger and James P. BarryTitle: Effects of carbon dioxide on deep-sea harpacticoids

D3 Authors: James P. Barry and Eric F. Pane Title: Amplified Ocean Acidification in the Deep-Sea and the Treath to Deep-Sea Ecosystems

D5 Authors: Peter M. Haugan Title: Acidification from direct and indirect storage in the deep sea

14

9:00 - 9:20

9:20 - 9:35

9:35 - 9:50

9:50 - 10:05

10:05 - 10:20

10:20 - 10:40

10:40 - 11:00

11:00 - 11:15

11:15 - 11:30

11:30 - 11:45

11:45 - 12:00

KN Dana Yoerger Title: Autonomous Discovery, Mapping, and Sampling of Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents

C1 Authors: Yoshiyuki Kaneda and DONET groupTitle: Toward to understanding mega thrust earthquakes occurrence system and Disaster mitigation around the Nankai trough Southwestern Japan-DONET

C2 Authors: Teresa Amaro, Roberto Danovaro, Marina R. Cunha and David BillettTitle: Biodiversity and functioning of the deep sea: How do deep-sea holothurians live at 3400m in the Nazar Canyon?

C3 Authors: Imants (Monty) G. PriedeTitle: Studies on Deep Sea Benthic Fishes using Baited Camera Landers New Insights 500-10,000m depth

C10 Authors: Alfredo Damasceno-Oliveira, Jos Gonalves, Joo F. Silva, Hugo Santos and Joo CoimbraTitle: Laboratory pressurizing systems for the study of aquatic organisms under deep ocean conditions

Coffee / Health break

KN Roland Person and ESONET partners Title: Deep sea observatory networks: a new science

C6 Authors: J. Sarrazin, J. Blandin, L. Delauney, S. Dentrecolas, J. Dupont, C. Le Gall, J. Legrand, P. Lon, J.P. Lvque, L. Peton, P. Rodier, R. Vuillemin and P.M. SarradinTitle: A glimpse into the deep, 45 days in the life of a vent mussel assemblage

C7 Authors: Erika H. Raymond, Danelle Cline, Craig Dawe, Duane Edgington, Steve Etchemendy, Gene Massion, Brian Schlining and Edith WidderTitle: Real-time monitoring of megafauna from the Monterey Accelerated Research System

C8 Authors: Ana Colao, M. Cannat, J. Blandin, P.M. Sarradin and the MoMAR-D partnersTitle: MoMAR-D: A technological challenge to monitor the dynamics of the Lucky Strike vent ecosystem

F2 Authors: Raul Bettencourt, Sergio Stefanni, Mrio Laranjo, Valentina Costa, Domitlia Rosa, Lus Pires, Ana Colao, Humberto Lopes and Ricardo Serro SantosTitle: Out of the Deep-sea into a land-based aquarium environment: Investigating physiological adaptations in the hydrothermal vent mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus

Tuesday - 28 AprilSession C and F - Deep-Sea Technology and Biotechnol-ogy Research Co-Chairs: Antnio Pascoal; Dana Yoerger; Roland Person; Salvatore Arico

15

12:00 - 12:15

12:15 - 12:35 12:35 - 14:00

14:15 - 14:35

14:35 - 14:55

14:55 - 15:10

15:10 - 15:25

15:25 - 15:40

15:40 - 16:00

16:00 - 16:20

16:20 - 16:35

16:35 - 16:50

C5 Authors: Sophie Arnaud-Haond, Jesus M. Arrieta, Carlos M. Duarte and Elie JarmacheTitle: Bioprospecting in the High Seas: Problems and Promises

KN Salvatore Arico Title: Marine genetic resources: An emerging economic use of the oceans?

Lunch

Session E - Fisheries and Ecosystem Sustainability and ConservationCo-Chairs: Anthony Grehan; Peter Auster; Mrio Rui Pinho

KN Malcolm ClarkTitle: Mission impossible?? Balancing exploitation and conservation of Deep-sea seamount fisheries

KN orsteinn SigurssonTitle: Conservation measures for fisheries and vulnerable habitats in the NEAFC regulatory Area

E26 Authors: Phil Large, Hashali Hamukuaya, Titus Lilende, Kumbi Kilongo, Reidar Toresen and Ben van ZylTitle: The south-east Atlantic recent progress in the management of deep-water fisheries and vulnerable marine ecosystems

E39 Authors: Francisco Snchez, A. Serrano, J.E. Cartes, I. Preciado, S. Parra, I. Frutos, F. Velasco, I. Olaso and J. C. ArronteTitle: Estimating the MPA management effects on Le Danois Bank deep-sea ecosystem (El Cachucho) using trophodynamic modelization

E47 Authors: Neil Campbell, Francis Neat, Finlay Burns and Phil KunzlikTitle: Utility of indicators of community composition, length structure and diversity for monitoring the deep water demersal fish assemblage to the northwest of Scotland

Coffee / Health break

KN Anthony Grehan, CoralFISH ConsortiumTitle: Ecosystem based management of corals, fish and fisheries in the deep waters of Europe and beyond (CoralFISH)

E12 Authors: Kerry Howell and J.S. Davies Title: Progress toward the implementation of a network of marine protected areas in the NE Atlantic deep-sea: development of a biologically relevant classification system

E2 Authors: Graham PatchellTitle: The Southern Indian Ocean Fishers Association approach to achieving sustainable deepwater fisheries on the high seas, while maintaining biodiversity. A model for RFMOs.

16

16:50 - 17:05

17:05 - 17:20

17:20 - 17:35

17:35 - 17:50

E7 Authors: Pablo Durn-Muoz, F. J. Murillo, M. Sayago-Gil, A. Serrano, I. Otero, M. Laporta and C. GmezTitle: Effects of bottom longline on vulnerable marine ecosystems in the high-seas, based on data from a cooperative research with the fishing industry

E34 Authors: J.Alan Hughes, B.J. Bett, T. Horton, D.O.B. Jones and H. RuhlTitle: Deep-sea research and collaborating with the offshore industry: a case study off Angola

E57 Authors: Dominique Grboval, Jean-Franois Pulvenis de Sligny and Blaise KuemlanganTitle: The FAO International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-sea Fisheries in the High Seas

Authors: Tom BlasdaleTitle: WGDEEP - assessing deep-sea fisheries in the ICES area

Wednesday - 29 AprilSpecial Session - Linking Deep Sea Science to International Decisions: Vulnerable and Ecologically Significant AreasCo-chairs: Jeff Ardron, Elizabeth McLanahan

9:00

Introduction Jeff Ardron, Elizabeth McLanahan

A7 Authors: Jessica Sanders, Alexis Bensch, Matthew Gianni, Dominique Grboval, Antonia Hjort and Merete TandstadTitle: Worldwide Review of Bottom Fisheries in the High Seas

A3 Authors: Matthew GianniTitle: Review of the implementation of the United Nations agreement to protect deep-sea ecosystems on the high seas: How well have high seas fishing nations performed?

P28 Authors: Thomas F. Hourigan, Elizabeth English and Shannon DionneTitle: Protecting Vulnerable Ecosystems in the Deep-Sea: Lessons from Habitat Conservation Efforts in the United States

D5 Authors: Andrew J. Davies, John M. Guinotte and J. Murray RobertsTitle: Predicting the distribution of framework-forming cold-water corals

Coffee / Health break

E16 Authors: Peter J. Auster, Alex Rogers and Kristina GjerdeTitle: A Precautionary Framework For Minimizing Impacts From High Seas Fisheries On Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems

17

Panel Discussion with the room

Quick review of CBD & FAO decisions, criteria and work to date Jeff Ardron, Marine Conservation Biology Institute (MCBI) How can the criteria be (better) applied in the short term based on existing research and data? open discussion What additional research will be required in the medium term to fill critical gaps? open discussion Next steps open discussion Lunch

FREE AFTERNOON

13:00 - 14:15

Thursday - 30 AprilSession E - Fisheries and Ecosystem Sustainability and ConservationCo-Chairs: Malcolm Clark; orsteinn Sigursson

9:00 - 9:15

9:15 - 9:30

9:30 - 9:45

9:45 - 10:00

10:00 - 10:15

10:15 - 10:40

10:40 - 10:55

10:55 - 11:10

11:10 - 11:25

B7 Authors: Samantha Smith Title: An Environmental Impact Assessment of Seafloor Mineral Extraction

E30 Authors: Adolfo Gracia, Ana R. Vzquez-Bader, Enrique Lozano-Alvarez and Patricia Briones-Fourzn

Title: A new deep-water penaeoid shrimp resource in the southern Gulf of Mexico

E11 Authors: Vladimir Laptikhovsky and Alexander ArkhipkinTitle: Grenadier fishery and its management in the southwest Atlantic

E40 Authors: Mark A. Grace, Brandi Noble, Walter Nelson and Alonzo HamiltonTitle: Fishery-independent bottom trawl surveys for deepwater fishes and invertebrates of the United States Gulf of Mexico

E61 Authors: Sergio Stefanni, Diana Catarino and Miguel MacheteTitle: Northern distribution limit of the intermediate scabbardfish Aphanopus intermedius (Parin, 1983) based on PCR-RFLPs screening

Coffee/Health break E13 Authors: Fernando P. Carvalho and Joo M. Oliveira

Title: Radionuclides in deep sea organisms from the North-East Atlantic Ocean

E21 Authors: Mikko Heino, F. M. Porteiro, T. T. Sutton, T. Falkenhaug, O. R. God, and U. PiatkowskiTitle: Catchability of pelagic trawls for sampling deep-living nekton in the mid North Atlantic

E50 Authors: Filipe M. Porteiro, Ricardo S. Santos and Richard D.M. NashTitle: North Atlantic mesopelagic biodiversity as perceived by the stomiid fish fauna

18

11:25 - 11:40

11:40 - 11:55

11:55 - 12:10

12:10 - 12:25

12:25 - 12:40

13:00 - 14:15

14:15 - 14:30

14:30 - 14:45

14:45 - 15:00

15:00 - 15:15

15:15 - 15:30

15:30 - 15:45

E32 Authors: Izaskun Preciado, Joan Cartes, Francisco Velasco, Ignacio Olaso, Alberto Serrano, Inmaculada Frutos and Francisco SnchezTitle: Trophic relationships in a benthic-demersal deep-sea fish assemblage: linking benthic and benthopelagic food web

E1 Authors: Vladimir LaptikhovskyTitle: Deep- sea fishery resources and fisheries around the Falkland Islands

E45 Authors: Pascal LoranceTitle: Overexploitation of the red (=blackspot) seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo in the Bay of Biscay in the 1970s: dynamics and consequences

E22 Authors: Sheila J. J. Heymans, Kerry Howell, Morag Ayers, John Gordon, Emma Jones and Francis NeatTitle: Long term trends and the impact of fishing on deep sea sharks off the West Coast of Scotland

E65 Authors: Allen Andrews, D. Tracey, G. Cailliet, M. Dunn, C. Brooks, J. Ashford, L. Kerr, J. Butler, C. Kastelle, K. Coale, T. Brown, and P. CowleyTitle: Lead-radium and bomb radiocarbon dating: age validation of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus), and cowcod (Sebastes levis )

Lunch

Session E - Fisheries and Ecosystem Sustainability and ConservationCo-Chairs: Malcolm Clark; orsteinn Sigursson

E36 Authors: Jasmin Godbold, John Gordon, David M. Bailey, Martin A. Collins and Imants G. PriedeTitle: Changes in the Deep-Sea Demersal Fish stocks of the Porcupine Seabight (NE Atlantic)

E35 Authors: Lucia Bongiorni, M. Mea, A. Pusceddu and R. DanovaroTitle: Deep-water corals promote deep-sea beta biodiversity along continental margins

E62 Authors: F.J. Murillo, P. Durn Muoz, A. Altuna Prados and A. SerranoTitle: Distribution of deep-water corals of the Flemish Cap, Flemish Pass and the Grand Banks of Newfoundland (Northwest Atlantic Ocean): interaction with fishing activities

C4 Authors: Imants G. Priede, Nicola King, Mark Inall, A. Rus Hoelzel, Andrew S. Brierley, David S.M. Billett and Peter MillerTitle: Ecosystems of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge The ECOMAR project

E64 Authors: Diana Catarino, Gui Menezes and Sergio StefanniTitle: Deep-sea fishing surveys on eight seamounts in the North-East Atlantic

E59 Authors: Jos A. A. Perez, Paulo R. Pezzuto, Roberto Wahrlich and Ana L. S. SoaresTitle: Deepwater fisheries in Brazil: history, status and perspectives

19

15:45 - 16:00

16:00 - 16:15

16:15 - 16:30

16:30 - 16:45

16:45 - 17:00

17:00 - 17:20 17:20 - 17:40

17:40 - 18:00 20:00

E33 Authors: Ivone Figueiredo, Teresa Moura, Pedro Bordalo-Machado, Miriam Guerra, Maria Jos Gaudncio and Graa PestanaTitle: Abundance estimation and mapping of Geryonid species in South-East Atlantic - Results from a Portuguese exploratory trap survey

Coffee / Health break

E42 Authors: Tracey Sutton, J.E. Hoffman, O.A. Bergstad, T. Falkenhaug, F. Porteiro, M. Heino, C.I.H. Anderson, J. Horne and A. BucklinTitle: Trophic pathways of the mid-North Atlantic

E28 Authors: Julio Portela, J.L. del Ro, J. Acosta, S. Parra, J. Cristobo, M. Sacau, T. Patrocinio, R. Vilela, P. Ros, and A. MuozTitle: Preliminary analysis of interactions between Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and fishing activities on the High Seas (HS) of the SW Atlantic

E58 Authors: Jose A. A. Perez and Eliana AlvesTitle: The patterns of life in the South Atlantic mid-oceanic ridge system: state-of-the-art and the development of a South Atlantic MAR-ECO project (CoML)

Clossing session: Reception of local authorities Closing lecture: Roberto Danovaro Title: Deep-sea biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: present knowledge and perspectives in a changing world

Symposium closing ceremony with the presence of local authorities Symposium dinner

PostersB3 Authors: Maria Baker, Stace Beaulieu, Christopher German, Maurice Tivey and

Eva Ramirez-Llodra Title: Going for Gold

C11 Authors: Daphne Cuvelier, Joze Sarrazin, Ana Colao, Jon Copley, Daniel Desbruyres, Adrian Glover, Paul Tyler and Ricardo Serro Santos Title: Community dynamics between 1994 and 2008 on an Atlantic hydrothermal edifice as revealed by high-resolution video image analysis

F1 Authors: Rui Pedro Vieira and Joo P. Barreiros Title: Preliminary data on the relationship between W/L and venom glandular tissue of 3 Scorpaenidae species of Azores, NE Atlantic, Portugal

D1 Authors: Fathi Elosta Title: The Simulation Geological for water Shortage from Jifarah Plain Basin Northwest of Libya

D4 Authors: Sandra Sequeira, A. Mendona, A. Martins, M. Figueiredo and G. Lopes Title: An Oceanographic Atlas for the Azores region at AZODC (AZOres Oceanographic Data Centre)

20

D7 Authors: R.S. Lampitt, K.E. Larkin, Marion Gehlen and the EuroSITES Consortium Title: EuroSITES European Ocean Observatory Network: a tool to understand the global Ocean response to climate change.

E3 Authors: David R. Bryan, Kirk Kilfoyle, R. Grant Gilmore, Jr. and Richard E. Spieler Title: Role of vessel-reef habitat for fish assemblages on low relief substrate in 50 to 120 m depths

E5 Authors: Sarah F. Goldman and George R. Sedberry Title: Feeding Habits of some Demersal Fishes on the Charleston Bump Off the Southeastern United States

E6 Authors: Pablo Durn Muoz, M. Sayago-Gil, S. Parra, A. Serrano, J. Cristobo, V. Daz del Rio, T. Patrocinio, M. Sacau, J. Murillo, D. Palomino and L. M. Fernndez-Salas Title: ECOVUL/ARPA: An interdisciplinary methodology for the identification of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the Hatton Bank high-seas fisheries (ICES VIb1 and XIIb)

E8 Authors: Kirsty Kemp, Kirsty Morris and Alex Rogers Title: Biodiversity and benthic ecology of bathyal seamounts in the Faial Channel, Azores

E9 Authors: Snia Olim and T. C. Borges

Title: Discard and By-catch composition in the crustacean trawlers in south Portugal (Algarve coast)

E10 Authors: Vanda Carmo, Odd Aksel Bergstad, Tone Falkenhaug, Gui Menezes and Tracey Sutton Title: Preliminary results on feeding ecology of Stomiiforme fishes of the northern mid-Atlantic

E14 Authors: Fernando P. Carvalho, Joo M. Oliveira and A. Monge Soares Title:

Sediment accumulation and bioturbation rates in the deep North-East Atlantic determined by radiometric techniques

E15 Authors: Francis Neat Title: Fish assemblages, sensitive deepwater habitats and fishing activity in the Rockall Trough, NE Atlantic

E17 Authors: Miriam Sayago-Gil, P. Durn-Muoz, V. Daz-del-Ro and L. M. Fernndez-Salas Title: Geo-environmental constrains in relation to deep sea ecosystems in Hatton Bank (NE Atlantic Ocean): morphodynamic drivers

E18 Authors: Adriana Alves, Graa Faria, Ana Rita Gis, Rui Reis and Sofia Vieira Title: Reproductive biology of pink dentex, Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque, 1810), from the northeast Atlantic (Madeira Archipelago) using a histology technique

E19 Authors: Adriana Alves and Joana Vasconcelos Title: Age and growth of pink dentex, Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque, 1810), caught in Madeira Archipelago

E23 Authors: Miguel Machete, Gui Menezes Title: Black Scabbard Fish (Aphanopus carbo) fishery in the Azores: finding the unknown through observers data

E25 Authors: Ana Rita Vieira, Ivone Figueiredo and Gui Menezes

Title: Knowing the Condor seamount live: best techniques to age common mora (Mora moro) and bulls-eye (Epigonus telescopus)

21

E27 Authors: Fernando Tempera, Andreia Henriques, Filipe Porteiro, Ana Colao and Gui Menezes Title: Constraining the geomorphological setting of deep-sea biotopes using high resolution bathymetry at the Condor de Terra seamount

E29 Authors: Teresa Moura, Leonel S. Gordo and Ivone Figueiredo Title: Mitochondrial DNA analysis of the genetic structure of Portuguese dogfish Centroscymnus coelolepis and leafscale gulper shark Centrophorus squamosus along the NE Atlantic

E37 Authors: Joana Carvalho, Hugo Diogo, Joo Pereira and Mrio Pinho Title: Recruitment of Pagellus bogaraveo of the azores (ICES XA2): habitat and pressures

E38 Authors: Alberto Serrano, F. Snchez, J.E. Cartes, S. Parra, M. Gmez-Ballesteros, I. Preciado and I. Frutos Title: Vulnerable habitats and threatened species distribution of El Cachucho deep sea MPA

E44 Authors: Emma G. Jones, Helen Dobby, Lynda Allan, Francis Neat and Finlay Burns

Title: Aspects of the biology of deepwater squalid sharks in the Rockall Trough

E48 Authors: Cristina Rodrguez-Cabello, F. Snchez, A. Serrano and A. Punzn Title: The status of chondricthyes species in deep waters of the Cantabrian Sea

E49 Authors: ris Sampaio, Filipe Porteiro, Andreia Braga-Henriques, Diana Catarino, Valentina Matos and scar Ocaa Title: Azorean Deep-Water Corals Communities as perceived from bottom Long Line Fisheries Surveys

E51 Authors: Eduardo Isidro, Mrio Pinho, Octvio Melo, Ana Santos, Jos I. Santana, Igncio J. Lozano and PESCPROF Consortium Title: Estimating the biomass and fishing potential of the shrimp Plesionika edwardsii (Brandt, 1851) off the Azores

E53 Authors: Brbara Serra-Pereira, Teresa Moura, Leonel Serrano Gordo and Ivone Figueiredo Title: How Raja clavata is genetically related to coastal and deep-water rajid species?

E55 Authors: Ole Thomas Albert, Elvar Hallfredsson, Benjamin Planque, ge Hines, Tone Vollen

Title: Deep-sea fish assemblages in the Eastern Norwegian Sea, and their vulnerability to fisheries

E56 Authors: Marina Carreiro-Silva, A. Braga-Henriques, F. Porteiro, I. Sampaio, V. Matos and O. Ocaa Title: Association between Callogorgia verticillata ( Primnoidae, Anthozoa) and an epizoan zoanthid anemone in the Azores Region

E60 Authors: Andreia Braga-Henriques, Marina Carreiro-Silva, Filipe Porteiro, Valentina Matos, ris Sampaio, Oscar Ocaa and Srgio vila Title: The association of the gastropod Pedicularia sicula (Caenogastropoda: Ovulidae) with the hydrocoral Errina dabneyi in the Azores

E63 Authors: Valentina Matos, Andreia Braga-Henriques, Marina Carreiro-Silva Filipe Porteiro, ris Sampaio, Oscar Ocaa Title: Description of a new species of Leiopathes (Antipatharia, Leiopathidae) from the NE Atlantic

E66 Authors: Eva Giacomello and Gui Menezes Title: CONDOR - Observatory for long-term study and monitoring of Azorean seamount ecosystems

Abstracts of ContributionsOral Communications and Posters

25

Opening Lecture

A perspective on the deep-sea: from curiosity to service provider?Paul Tyler

The origins of the study of deep-sea ecology lie in the intellectual curiosity of a small group of scientists in the mid and late 19th century and early 20th century, the so-called heroic age. To the common man the deep-sea was remote and liable to be inhabited by unimaginary monsters so as to be beyond comprehension. Thus the discoveries of the deep sea were confined to a few, especially taxonomists and systematists. Up to the mid 20th Century knowledge and interest remained in this tight band. With increases in technology, scientific interest in the deep sea was reinvigorated in the 1960s and has continued to expand with each major discovery such as high biodiversity, ecosystems driven by chemosynthesis, seasonality and benthic storms. For 120 years our knowledge of the deep sea was ahead of any exploitation or anthropogenic impact. Post 1970 there was an increased awareness of the services the deep sea could provide. Manganese nodule mining and the disposal of radioactive waste were among the first potential impacts on the deep sea. Pilot studies and pre-exploitation analysis of the deep sea ran hand in hand. Less happily was the extension of commercial fishing into the deep sea before the biology of the species being exploited was understood. Suddenly, potential anthropogenic impact had overtaken scientific knowledge of the deep sea. This balance is fine and unknown impacts such as temperature rise and acidification of the ocean interior may be having consequences we are not yet able to predict. And a last compounding factor is that much of the worlds oceans lie beyond national jurisdiction. In this paper I will address the history of deep-sea biology and the relationship between science and the services that the deep sea can provide to humankind.

Contact author: Paul Tyler, National Oceanography Centre, European Way Southampton SO14 3ZH UK [tel: 0044 2380 592557, e-mail: pat8@noc.soton.ac.uk]

27

Closing Lecture

Deep-sea biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: present knowledge and perspectives in a changing worldRoberto Danovaro

Deep-sea ecosystems, for their complexity and inaccessibility, represent the last frontier of ecological research. There is increasing evidence that most of the unknown-yet biodiversity is hosted in the deep and during the last ten years, enormous progresses have been made towards the comprehension of their biodiversity and functioning. Hot spot deep-sea ecosystems are being found much more widely distributed and more extended than previously thought. Recent results provide evidence that large sectors of the continental margins are actually hot spot ecosystems, characterised by an extremely high biodiversity (alpha diversity). These systems are also extremely heterogeneous (being characterised by the presence of stable and unstable slopes, canyons, landslides, seeps etc) and new findings suggest that also their turnover () diversity is extremely high. A recent discovery revealed that deep-sea ecosystem functioning is exponentially related to biodiversity, and that ecosystem efficiency is linked to functional biodiversity. These results indicate that a higher biodiversity supports higher rates of ecosystem processes and an increased efficiency with which these processes are performed. The exponential relationships of deep-sea ecosystems provide scientific evidence that even a minor biodiversity loss in the deep sea might have serious consequences on the functioning of the largest biome of the biosphere. This result is of particular concern on the light of the potential impact of recent climate changes on deep-sea ecosystems, which altering their biodiversity on a large scale can potentially cause a collapse of deep-sea ecosystem functioning.

Contact author: Roberto Danovaro, Department of Marine Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy [e-mail: r.danovaro@nivpm.it]

Session AGovernance and Legal Considerations

31

Keynote

Governance of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Towards a Principled ApproachDavid Freestone

It is more than twenty-five years since the finalization of the comprehensive legal regime of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC) but that new regime has not been able to provide an adequate framework for the protection of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) from unparalleled impacts from new human activities, such as bottom trawling on seamount ecosystems, and from the increased intensity of existing activities, such as huge increases in maritime transportation, pollution from garbage and traditional fishing techniques. Nor has the legal framework been able to keep pace with the need to regulate either the exploitation of valuable new resources that have been discovered in high seas areas be they highly vulnerable deep ocean fish species, ocean thermal vents with accompanying life forms that can live in temperatures as hot as 300-600C, or cold seeps or proposals for geo-engineering activities such as ocean fertilization. In 2008 the IUCN Global Marine Programme decided to help clarify the existing principles that should apply to ABNJ and in September 2008 issued a document: 10 Principles of High Seas Governance for public review and comment. This keynote will explain the aims and legal underpinnings of these Principles.

Contact Author: David Freestone, The George Washington University Law School 2000 H St NW, Washington DC 20052 [tel: 202-994-0250, fax: 202-994-5654, e-mail: dfreestone@law.gwu.edu]

Keynote

Shaping the Oceans Future: The Continental Shelf Extension ProgramManuel Pinto de Abreu

The delineation of the continental shelf under article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is underway and the first national programs have been recently concluded. About sixty coastal states are thought as candidates for the legally driven, scientifically supported, and peacefully achieved, acquisition of new territories, of the sea-bed and subsoil. The sovereign rights do not depend on occupation, effective or notional, or on any expressed proclamation. The continental shelf process is an investment in the future. The states will exercise over the new territory, sovereign rights for the purpose of scientific exploration or economic exploitation of its natural resources. This quest will foster a clearer and more certain investment; will make a significant contribution to economic and social prosperity. The resulting sea of knowledge will support the improved protection and preservation of the marine environment. The setup and major challenges of the continental shelf delineation process are considered and an overview of the Portuguese project will be presented, namely the competence and capacity build-up, the data collection storage and management, the research development and innovation activities, the institutional cooperative framework and the public outreach. The new map of sovereignties will shape the oceans future.

Contact Author: Manuel Pinto de Abreu, EMEPC Rua Costa Pinto, 165 2770-047 Pao de Arcos [tel: +351 21 300 4165, fax: +351 21 390 5225, e-mail: responsavel@emepc-portugal.org]

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A1

The environmental perspective: the legal challenges of protecting deep sea ecosystems through marine protected areasMarta C. Ribeiro

MPA have proven to be efficient tools to protect marine biodiversity and the ecological processes and to manage related human activities. Assuming a wide concept, MPA have also proven to be a valuable tool in the context of sustainable fisheries. Today there is an international exhortation and a regional duty for creating MPA to protect deep sea ecosystems, either in maritime zones under coastal State jurisdiction or beyond its jurisdiction. The purpose of this paper is to underline the legal challenges of adopting MPA protective rules taking into account UNCLOS framework. First we consider the creation of MPA in the continental shelf and EEZ. The principal power and duty remains within coastal State. Although there are several difficulties that coastal State has to face to achieve the adoption of effective and efficient protective rules regarding third States, namely: 1) freedom of navigation cannot be jeopardized; 2) bioprospecting development raises doubts about what we might consider marine scientific research; 3) EEC exclusive competence on fisheries policy demands for a convincing diplomatic effort. We present Rainbow hydrothermal vent field as a peculiar case study: the first national MPA in perspective under waters with high seas status. Second we discuss the encouragement for creating MPA in maritime zones beyond coastal State jurisdiction. This challenge implies, remarkably, a problem of governance. We are at the beginning of diplomatic talks (e.g.: CBD). At academic level there are some proposals of models of governance, namely associated to the extension of International Seabed Authority powers.

Contact author: Marta C. Ribeiro, Faculty of Law of University of Porto and Centre for Legal and Economic Research (CIJE), Rua dos Bragas, 223 4050 - 123 Porto, Portugal [tel: +351 964 403 643, e-mail: mchantal@direito.up.pt]

A2

Governing the Deep: Options for Integrated ManagementLisa Speer and Kirsty Gjerde

Human induced impacts are multiplying rapidly in deep ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction. Many human activities on the high seas remain poorly managed and some are not subject to any internationally agreed controls. The stove-piped nature of the current high seas regulatory regime means that there is no mechanism for coordinating environmental assessment and management across the range of different human activities with the potential to affect the deep ocean. This makes it difficult to implement integrated, ecosystem based management or establish multi-sector marine protected areas. As industrial activity, ocean warming and acidification accelerate, the imperative to update the current fragmented high seas regime with a more rational, integrated and ecosystem-based management approach has become urgent. This paper examines options for moving toward that goal and offers possible next steps.

Contact author: Lisa Speer, Natural Resources Defense Council, 40 West 20th Street New York, NY 10011, USA [tel: 212-727-4426, e-mail: lspeer@nrdc.org]

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A5

Cooperation between the fishing sector and the scientific community the black scabbardfish fishery in Portuguese continental slope case studyIns Farias, Teresa Moura, Joana Barosa, Carlos Macedo, Mike Armstrong and Ivone Figueiredo

The Sesimbra community has a long tradition in the artisanal longline fishery. Since the early 1980s, with the start of the black scabbardfish exploitation, this fishing community has been strongly depending on deep-water fish resources. Deep-water sharks are a significant by-catch of this fishery as well as some species that are discarded on board. The black scabbardfish as well as most of the deep-water sharks fisheries are being managed through the establishment of Total Allowable Catches. A tendency for reducing the fishing quotas has been observed these past years, particularly for sharks. The role of the scientific community is crucial to improve the communication between managers and fishermen by explaining the importance of management restrictions, not only in terms of species conservation but also for the maintenance of the fishery itself. The project Joint data collection between the fishing sector and the scientific community in Western Waters intends to supply a tool for the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy, promoting the cooperation between everyone who takes part in the fishing activities. The aim of this project is to engage fishermen, scientists and stakeholders in fisheries assessment and management, including: i) collecting fishery information; ii) self sampling; and iii) involvement in quality assurance and interpretation of the results. This work presents a preliminary analysis of the data collected by fishermen of Portuguese black scabbardfish fishery. Furthermore, the main problems found in the self sampling protocols are identified and solutions are proposed.

Contact author: Ins Farias, Unidade de Recursos Marinhos e Sustentabilidade, Instituto de Investigao das Pescas e do Mar (INRB, L-IPIMAR, I.P.), Avenida de Braslia, 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal [tel: +351 213027108, fax: +351 213015948, e-mail:ifarias@ipimar.pt]

A6

Legal Framework of the Azores Marine ParkH. Calado, C. P. Lopes, R.S. Santos, S.V. Santos and L. Paramio

In June 25tht 2007, the Regional Government of the Azores approved the Regional Law 15/2007/A. That document established an unprecedented reform in the juridical regime that managed and classified the Regional Azorean Protected Areas Network. According to rule 17 in that regime, the Azores Marine Park constitutes, along with the Island Natural Parks, the base for the management of the new Network. These two entities will be managed by an organized structure and concept of their own, lined by objectives of nature conservation, biodiversity preservation, sustainable development and quality of life. In that sense, a proposal for the Azores Marine Park is under discussion. It is based on the main three types of habitat with a high biological diversity in the Azorean Sea: seamounts, hydrothermal vents and high sea areas. The continuing investigation has also provided the necessary information for considering these as vulnerable marine habitats. The planning methodologies for the existing marine protected areas are varied, but in this specific case, the application to the mentioned Azorean habitats is framed by the World Commission for Protected Areas (WCPA) of the IUCN methods. The legal framework is based in several international instruments, such as the United Nations Convention Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that establishes the legal basis for the protection and sustainable development of the marine environment outside the national jurisdiction. The UNCLOS determinations are by turn supported by other international agreements, such as

34

the OSPAR Convention where, in annex V, it is agreed for the contracting parts the necessity of establishing programs and measures for the protection of the ecosystems and marine biodiversity. These include, among others, the species identification, habitats and ecological procedures, together with the designation of marine protected areas (MPA). This was approved by Portugal as a contracting part of the OSPAR Convention by means of the National Law 7/2006, published in January 9th. The present analysis tries to give a complete road map of the process that led to the Azores Marine Park proposal. The road map begins with the UNCLOS Article 76 disposition, which allows the extension of the maritime continental platforms beyond the 200 nautical miles limit, ending on the constitution in Portugal of the Structure Mission for Continental Shell Extension, with the 2009 deadline to present its proposal. The analysis also intends to give a vision of the Azores Marine Park: rules, areas, classes, and institutional arrangements. The areas classified are supported by scientific studies among the Regional Scientific Community and an enlightenment of those is also presented. At the end, a balance of the obstacles that are still to overcome is made, especially those concerning the respect for the Portuguese Constitutional Law.

Contact author: Helena Calado, University of the Azores, Geography Section/Biology Dept. University of the Azores 9500 Ponta Delgada [tel: +351296650479, fax: +351296650100, e-mail: calado@uac.pt]

Session B and D Energy and Mineral Exploration and Development,

Climate Change and Ocean Acidification

37

Keynote

Future Mining of Seafloor Massive SulfidesSteve D. Scott

We are witnessing the beginning of a new mining era of recovering base metals (copper, zinc, lead) and precious metals (silver, gold) from seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits on the deep ocean floor. These deposits are produced from high-temperature hot springs (black smokers) as were volcanic-hosted massive sulfides (VMS) that formed in ancient oceans as much as 3.4 billion years ago and are now mined on land. Such hydrothermal sites are found today intermittently on seamounts, along the 66,000 km of mid-ocean spreading ridges and in 22,000 km of volcanic island arcs and back-arcs. Because of their higher metal content, deposits in the arc setting are the most prospective for industry. Oceans and seas cover 71 % of Earth. The surface area of the Pacific Ocean alone is greater than that of all the continents. More than three-quarters of this vast territory is deep ocean basins. Even though the seafloor has only been partially explored, about 350 SMS deposits are known or inferred and it has been estimated that there are more than 1000 in total. Most are small but they commonly occur in clusters so that sufficient tonnage may be developed over a small area to generate a viable mining venture. Seafloor mining will not replace mining on land but it does represent a new additional source of metals. Mining SMS has an advantage over mining on land because of its reusable infrastructure (ship, mining machine and recovery system) whereas, on land, the infrastructure cost of extensive excavations, roads, power generation, power transmission and accommodation have to be amortized over the life of a mine. Currently, two private companies, operating out of Australia with major mining companies as partners or financial backers, are opening up this new mining frontier. Each holds or has applications for tenements covering hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of the seabed. Nautilus Minerals has applied for a mining license for its Solwara 1 site in Papua New Guineas (PNG) eastern Manus back-arc basin in the Bismarck Sea. An economic evaluation to strict securities commission regulations was completed in February 2008 and an environmental assessment has been submitted and deemed to be complete by the PNG government. Neptune Minerals, although they have not yet identified a mineable deposit, holds tenements and applications for several sites in the western Pacific and in the Mediterranean. A third Australian company, Bluewater Metals, is presently organizing. Government agencies in China, Japan and South Korea also have exploration programs for SMS. As typically happens in mining, when one or more of these ventures becomes successful, other explorers are sure to follow. Financial and technological challenges for recovering SMS deposits are surmountable. Nautilus had contracted for a ship, two mining machines and a recovery system but these are now in limbo on account of the current global financial crisis. Much of the knowledge about working in deep water is coming from the oil industry that has large installations far offshore. Environment is an issue and is being carefully assessed by the companies using highly trained biological and earth scientists. The expectation is that, overall, recovery of SMS will be less environmentally deleterious than mining on land although there is legitimate concern over the state of knowledge of the special ecosystems at potential mining sites. Portugals Azores Mid-Atlantic Ridge EEZ and contiguous regions contain SMS deposits although, at the present level of exploration, these appear to be small. However, if enough deposits constituting a cluster can be identified, their mining might be a possibility. Recent experience in the western Pacific (Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea; Lau Basin, Tonga) has demonstrated that experienced industry geologists are much better at exploring for and defining potentially mineable SMS than are research scientists. The latters main purpose is to understand the geological and geophysical processes that are creating SMS and revealing their biology rather than concern about their potential economic value. By working together, the researchers and industry can greatly expand our knowledge about the deep seafloor to our mutual benefit.

Contact author: Steven D. Scott, Scotiabank Marine Geology Research Laboratory, Department of Geology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3B1 [tel: +1-416-978-5424; e-mail: scottsd@geology.utoronto.ca] and Marine Mining Consultants, 85 Glenview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4R 1P9 [tel: +1-416-483-5431; e-mail: info@marineminingconsultants.com]

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Keynote

Deep-Water Oil and Gas Exploration and Production: Current Challenge and Environmental IssuesDorrik Stow

There are an estimated 1300-1400 oil and gas fields, including discoveries and producing fields, known from deep-water turbidite and related plays. Many of the older fields are from well-established provinces such as California, the North Sea, and Gulf of Bohai, which presently lie beneath the continent or shallow shelf waters. However, following over two decades of major technological advance, driven in large part by dwindling nearshore reserves and a burgeoning market, many important discoveries have and are being made in truly deep water beneath the present day continental slope. Some of the most productive areas include the Gulf of Mexico slope, the Campos Basin offshore Brazil, the Niger Delta slope, an extensive region of the West African slope, and offshore NW Scotland. Currently less developed regions include remote parts of the Mackenzie Delta slope, the Margarita Basin off Venezuela, the northern slope off Borneo, the East Indian margin and off the NW Australian Shelf. Although ultimate rewards can be sweet, the economic challenge of deep-water drilling can be daunting, where single wells may cost in excess of $100 million, and purpose-designed drilling rigs in excess of $500 million. The scientific challenge is to continually improve our detailed understanding of deepwater subsurface systems, using ever-more sophisticated remote surveying, together with modern and ancient outcrop analogues, in order to narrow the odds of exploration success and better design the most realistic geological models possible for the production engineer. Drilling technology now permits exploration in water depths up to 3000 m and drilling a further 8000 m sub-seafloor, although working at these extremes is never without day-to-day problems. Further challenges remain for the production engineer, including extreme temperature changes, freezing clathrates, seafloor completion, collection and transport, and the natural geo-hazards caused by active slope processes. With some partial exceptions, the drive into progressively deeper water has been made without due concerns for the pristine and generally unknown submarine environment in which operations are carried out. Comprehensive environmental surveys both before and after drilling operations should form an automatic requirement associated with all deep-water licenses issued. These should be externally commissioned surveys with open results. One percent of exploration costs, followed by further negotiation at the field development phase, would seem an appropriate target figure.

Contact author: Dorrik Stow, ECOSSE, Edinburgh Collaborative of Subsurface Science and Engineering, Institute of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK [e-mail: dorrik.stow@pet.hw.ac.uk]

Keynote

Exploration for Massive Sulphide Deposits on the Sea Floor Fernando J.A.S. Barriga, Jorge M.R.S. Relvas, Antnio M.S. Pascoal

There are more than 300 occurrences of sulphide mineralisations on the sea floors, especially along mid-ocean ridges and back-arc ridges. Many of these contain more than 1 million tonnes of sulphide ores, often with high grades of copper, zinc and gold. Almost all have been discovered through detection of dispersion plumes in the ocean water around active fields. The larger the dispersion plumes, the more interesting the target is. This strategy has been highly successful for active, outcropping hydrothermal fields, but may leave interesting exploration targets undiscovered. Knowledge of MS deposits now exposed on land, but formed in seas that have disappeared millions of years ago, shows that many of them were formed near an ancient sea-floor, but protected from oxidation and dispersion by hanging wall rocks (generally sediments).

39

Comparison with ancient deposits on land shows that the submarine deposits are generally smaller than their ancient analogues,. We may be missing some of the more significant targets, formed under conditions of low or negligible dispersion of metals.We therefore need new exploration strategies, based on models similar to those in use on land: searching for large, dense objects, with peculiar magnetic and electric properties, in well defined geological settings, with or without signs of being hydrothermally active during exploration. If these sites are active, their activity may be subtle above the sea-floor, perhaps restricted to fluid indicators such as methane, without large nephelometric anomalies, as happens above the Saldanha hydrothermal site in the Azores Sea. Exploration tools will include towed, ROV- and AUV-hosted imaging and geophysics (gravity, magnetics) and highly sensitive sensors for volatile species such as methane and hydrogen.Another exploration tool, similar to geochemical exploration on land, will be the chemical and mineralogical study of prospective cover rocks, searching for signs of present or past hydrothermal activity under them, suitable to be represented as anomalies against regional background values.LA-ISR, our research institution, is well positioned to develop new tools and new deep-sea exploration strategies, given the institutional proximity of marine and robotics engineers and geologists with experience in mineral exploration on land. We are developing tools for this. A LabMobile in a 20 foot container, devoted to geochemistry and mineralogy, equipped with a variety of instruments (including X-ray diffraction, gas chromatography, elemental analysis, infra-red mineral analysis, microscopy, and wet chemistry) is expected to be launched for the first time in the Summer of 2009.Sea floor mining must be done properly, with all the necessary caution to preserve the fragile hydrothermal vent ecosystems and the marine environment in general. If so, marine minerals may one day contribute significantly to a better standard of living for the citizens at large.

Contact author: Fernando J.A.S. Barriga, LA-ISR Laboratorio Associado - Institute for Systems Research Creminer-FCUL (Fac Ciencias, Univ Lisboa), Portugal [e-mail: f.barriga@fc.ul.pt]

B1

Mining of Seafloor Massive Sulfides and Biodiversity: Whats at Risk?C.L. Van Dover, J. Carlsson, P.-Y. Hsing, R. Jones, A. Sobel, T. Schultz and A. Thaler

Organisms living at hydrothermal vents are adapted to catastrophic disturbances in their environment caused by processes such as tectonic activity and mineralization that shift the locus of fluid flux, to volcanic eruptions that pave over active systems and reset the hydrothermal cycle. The scientific community appreciates this risk of natural, local loss of species, genetic, and habitat diversity. The risks of more profound loss of diversity and ecosystem function and health as a consequence of additive commercial activities in hydrothermal systems are unknown, and are not the same across all deep-sea hydrothermal systems. Vent communities differ from one ocean basin to another, as do geological settings and geochemical dynamics of vent systems. Communities on the East Pacific Rise perhaps represent one end-member among the catalog of hydrothermal vents. In these systems, the life cycle of a hydrothermal field is on approximately the same time scale as that of childhood in humans. From studies of the 1991 and subsequent eruptions at 9N on the East Pacific Rise, we understand something of the rapidity with which new vents are colonized when nearby brood stocks are available to repopulate the system. Almost instantaneously, microbial biofilms and mats form, followed quickly by invasion of mobile opportunistic organisms. In a matter of a few months, a predictable succession of sessile organisms recruits, grows, and reproduces. Within two to three years, the system returns to levels of species diversity that match those of the pre-eruption condition. Vents on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) represent a different end-member, with catastrophic disturbance rare relative to the generation time of the organisms that make up the bulk of the biomass. We have no

40

experience with an eruptive event or other major transformation of venting activity on the MAR and thus have no knowledge or insight of the time it would take for the biological diversity to return to pre-cataclysmic levels. Among the persistent questions in vent biological research are those that deal with descriptions of how populations of species are structured and maintained. At what scales are populations genetically heterogeneous? Where are the sources of new recruits are recruits supplied from local or distant brood stocks? Are stock sources to a given site singular or multiple in space and time? Does genetic diversity vary systematically with dispersal capabilities of species? Can we predict which locales or species that are more vulnerable to disturbance than others? Are temporal and spatial patterns of succession primarily ordered by source dynamics (proximity of brood stocks and rate of delivery by currents), by succession of habitat conditions as hydrothermal cycles progress, or some other process? Other questions relate to barriers to gene flow and the degree to which relatively isolated vent systems (e.g., back-arc basin spreading centers) are host to cryptic, sibling, and relict species and thus serve as important engines driving speciation and genetic diversity. The species list of any vent site is dominated by rare species taxa found as singletons or as just a few individuals in the sum of material sampled at a site. These rare species seem most susceptible to local extinction. What is the role of these rare species in the ecosystem, what is the risk to the system if they are lost? It seems likely that under some conditions, rare species can become dominant to dismiss their importance in the system is to risk misjudging their role under other circumstances. In the years since discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents, biologists have focused their resources on study of chemosynthetic communities associated with active fluid flux. When fluid flux ceases, vent-endemic taxa disappear and other suites of organisms may colonize the sulfide deposits. What is at risk at these sites? While we expect that these replacement suites of organisms are broadly cosmopolitan, occurring on hard substrata remote from hydrothermal settings, the animals are so poorly known that few have been described. With the imperative for biodiversity assessment at inactive sulfide mounds, the mounds become type locales for new species. There is also the expectation that recruitment, growth, and reproductive rates of species that colonize inactive sulfide mounds are much slower than those of vent species, though there is some evidence that advected chemosynthetic production may enhance these rates relative to populations on hard substrata (basalts) remote from hydrothermal systems. The risks of deep-sea mining of hydrothermal systems on the genetic, species, and habitat diversity are poorly constrained, making it difficult to predict the environmental impact. The scientific community is only beginning to consider means to mitigate environmental impacts of marine mining on active and inactive ecosystems at hydrothermal vents in the deep sea.

Contact author: Cindy Lee Van Dover, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, 135 Duke Marine Lab Road Beaufort, North Carolina USA 28516 [tel: 252-504-7655, e-mail: clv3@duke.edu]

B2

Long term in situ experiments on the macrobenthic response to drilling fluid contamination and organic matter enrichment on the Angola marginLenaick Menot, Philippe Crassous, Jolle Galron and Myriam Sibuet

Colonization experiments in the deep Atlantic have shown that colonization rates of deep-sea benthic species are usually slow and that azoic sediments would take over five years for complete recovery. The development of human activities in the deep-sea thus needs a careful assessment of environmental risks. In the framework of the Biozaire programme, in a partnership between Ifremer and Total, colonization experiments were used to test and understand the effects of drill cuttings on the deep-sea macrofauna. Specifically, the experiments were designed to compare the effects of drilling fluids and organic matter enrichment. Colonization trays were moored for over one year and during two consecutive years at 1300m depth off Angola. The trays were filled with a mixture of artificial sediments and either drill cuttings, vegetable oil-based mud, mineral oil-based mud in various concentrations, or ground fish in various concentrations. Concentration in oil in the drilling fluid treatments ranged from 0 to 15000 ppm while concentration in

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organic carbon in fish flour treatments ranged from 0 to 3.43%. Colonization rates were high compared to other experiments in the deep Atlantic. A total of 10,043 individuals belonging to 45 taxa were sorted from 72 colonization trays representing a pooled area of 2.26m. Treatment trays, whether containing drilling fluids or ground fish, significantly differed from control trays in terms of densities, taxonomic richness and taxonomic composition. Among treatments, colonization patterns were similar in trays with the highest content in oil or the lowest content in organic carbon. The effects of drilling fluids on the colonizing fauna could thus not be distinguished from a low organic enrichment.

Contact author: Lenaick Menot, Institut Ocanographique, Paris & Ifremer, DEEP/LEP Ifremer, Centre de Brest BP70 29280 Plouzane, France [tel: 33.2.98.22.45.52, fax: 33.2.98.22.47.57, e-mail: lenaick.menot@ifremer.fr]

B5

Fluid-Gas Expulsion, Seafloor Response Features, and Chemosynthetic Communities: Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Slope Harry H. Roberts and Robert S. Carney

Since the first discoveries in the mid-1980s, the numbers of known hydrocarbon seeps, their chemosynthetic communities, and associated geological features have steadily increased. Manned submersible and ROV studies of seeps have confirmed the correlation between seep sites and anomalous seafloor reflectivity or bright spots on seismic data. For regulatory purposes seeps are considered to be sensitive habitats that require protection from disturbance. One method of assessing the probability of the existence of seeps is to exploit the seismic correlation. The slope-wide and proprietary 3D-seismic database held in the US by the Minerals Management Service has revealed 1000s of these reflectivity anomalies interpreted as seep sites. Using this database, 15 dive sites were selected on the middle-to-lower slope for study in 2006 and 2007 employing DSV Alvin and ROV Jason. All sites were found to have chemosynthetic communities and widespread carbonate hardgrounds, formed primarily as a by-product of microbial oxidation of hydrocarbons. The hardgrounds accounted for the strong surface reflectivity anomalies on seismic data. Four of the 15 dive sites were surveyed using an AUV which generated high resolution multibeam bathymetry and acoustic profile images of the bottom shallow subbottom. These 4 sites (AT 340, GC 852, WR 269, and AC 601) ranged in water depth from ~ 1410 m 2340 m and were geologically as well as biologically distinct. The AT 340 site was a regional salt-supported mound with carbonate mounds and brine seep depressions on the surface. Large communities of bathymodiolid mussels and vestimentiferan tubeworms were present. The high relief ridge in GC 852 was composed of large carbonate blocks along the ridge crest and western flank. Chemosynthetic communities of mussels and tubeworms are scattered between the carbonate blocks. At the crest an extensive community of hard and soft corals was found on a substrate of authigenic carbonate. The WR 269 site was a large mound complex formed by fluid-gas expulsion. Scattered pogonophoran communities were discovered on the mound flank and large mussels and tubeworms inside the carbonate-floored central vent. Gas hydrate was found outcropping in the crater walls. At the AC 601 site chemosynthetic communities were present, but sparsely distributed. A large brine pool (~ 180 m diameter) was the dominant feature. It was leaking gas at the times of high resolution acoustic data collection and direct observation with both Alvin and Jason. Barium sulfate (barite) in the form of crystal rafts in the brine and crusts on the lake bottom was being precipitated from the lake water. No megafauna were observed or sampled from the brine. These four sites were a sampling of the cross-slope and along-slope variability in seep biology and geology.

Contact author: Harry H. Roberts, Coastal Studies Institute, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA [tel: 225-578-2964, fax: 225-578-2520, e-mail: hrober3@lsu.edu]

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B6

Industry-conducted ROV surveys of chemosynthetic communities on two contrasting deep-sea floors for the purpose of habitat protection during hydrocarbon developmentRobert S. Carney, Richard J. Weiland and Craig Scherschel

The continental slope of the northern Gulf of Mexico is subject to extensive development of hydrocarbon deposits over its entire depth range. The same complex geological and geochemical processes which gave rise to these deposits also created seafloor seeps with associated chemosynthetic ecosystems. These systems are afforded protection from disturbance by seafloor development activity by US government regulations. The primary mode of protection is limitation or prohibition of disturbing activities within specified distances of chemosynthetic communities. Two examples of industry-conducted surveys to determine the presence, location, composition, and geological correlates of chemosynthetic communities are presented. Both utilized an advanced remotely operated vehicle with augmented imaging capabilities and high-precision seafloor navigation. One area had many characteristics associated with seeps such as complex salt-influenced topography, extensive hardgrounds, and sea surface slicks. In contrast, the other area lacked such obvious clues yet still supported chemosynthetic communities. The spatial extent of both surveys exceeded that normally employed in basic research of such systems and met industry information needs for positioning seafloor activities.

Contact author: Robert S. Carney, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (USA) [tel: 225-578-6511, fax: 225-578-6326, e-mail: rcarne1@lsu.edu]

B7

An Environmental Impact Assessment of Seafloor Mineral ExtractionSamantha Smith

Nautilus has recently completed the worlds first environmental impact assessment (EIA) of seafloor mineral extraction and Nautilus has gained extensive experience conducting environmental studies in subsea environments. Nautilus is currently working on the Solwara 1 Project in the Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea, where high grade seafloor massive sulfide deposits lie at ~1600 m water depth. Conducting an EIA in the deep sea presents some interesting and exciting challenges. Seafloor studies commenced in December 2005 using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) fitted out with highly specialized scientific equipment to conduct water quality, sediment, biological and oceanographic studies. During 2007 and 2008, Nautilus launched two 30-day ROV programs dedicated to environmental baseline studies and during these campaigns, over 550 biological, sediment and water samples were collected and over 57,000 seafloor observations were logged. On board specialists included an international team of experts in the field of deep sea marine science. Collaboration between industry and scientific research institutions allows data to be collected for the EIA but also provides an extraordinary opportunity for researchers to access sites that might otherwise remain unobtainable to science. This presentation will review the studies conducted as part of this exciting project.

Contact author: Samantha Smith, Nautilus Minerals, Lvl 7 303 Coronation Drive Milton, QLD 4064 Australia [tel: +61 7 3318 5555, fax: +61 7 3318 5500, e-mail: sls@nautilusminerals.com]

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Keynote

Are Deep-Sea Ecosystems threatened by Human-Induced Changes in Seawater Chemistry?Marion Gehlen

By the year 2005, the ocean had taken up 171 GtC of the total 426 GtC of human-induced CO2 emissions to the atmosphere since the onset of the industrial era. The uptake of CO2 by the ocean, a largely abiotic process driven by the solubility pump, drives major changes in seawater chemistry known as ocean acidification. The pH of surface oceans has already dropped by 0.1 units and is projected to decrease further by 0.3 to 0.4 units up to 2100. While there is a growing body of evidence for impacts of ocean acidification on surface water ecosystems, little is known on the timing and the amplitude of chemical changes in the deep-sea, not to mention the consequences on deep-sea biota. In contrast to shallow water benthic organisms which are adapted to a dynamic environment with large changes in temperature and water chemistry, deep-sea organisms have evolved in a rather stable environmental setting. We argue that deep sea biota is highly sensitive to even moderate excursions in pH and is most vulnerable to changes in carbonate chemistry. To evaluate the extent of detrimental reductions in deep water pH, we exploited simulations from a coupled climate-carbon cycle model under a business-as-usual emission scenario (IPPC SRES A2). We focused on the area of deep water formation in the North Atlantic, an area where the rapid penetration of anthropogenic C coincides with expected major impacts of climate change (e.g. slowing down of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, AMOC). Model projections suggest that 21st century climate change counteracts changes in deep water pH in response to anthropogenic CO2 invasion due to a slowing down of AMOC. However all simulations, with or without climate change, predict large reductions in pH in bottom waters of the North Atlantic exceeding the critical threshold of 0.2 pH units. These will expose deep sea organisms to changes in environmental conditions during the 21st century that are much larger than any variability that they have experienced during at least the last 650,000 years.

Contact author: Marion Gehlen, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de LEnvironnement (LSCE), UMR CEA-CNRS-UVSQ CEN de Saclay / LOrme des Merisiers, Bt.712 F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex [tel: + 33 1 69 08 86 72, e-mail: marion.gehlen@lsce.ipsl.fr]

D2

Effects of carbon dioxide on deep-sea harpacticoidsLinda Sedlacek, David Thistle, Kevin R. Carman, John W. Fleeger and James P. Barry

As part of the evaluation of the environmental impact of sequestering carbon dioxide in the deep ocean, we exposed the sediment-dwelling fauna at a station in Monterey Submarine Canyon (36.378 N, 122.676 W, 3262 m) to carbon dioxide-rich seawater and found that most of the harpacticoid copepods were killed. In an expanded, follow-on experiment on the continental rise nearby (36.709 N, 123.523 W, 3607 m), not only did harpacticoids survive exposure to carbon dioxide-rich seawater, but we found no evidence from seven additional metrics that the harpacticoids had been affected. We infer that during the second experiment the harpacticoids were not exposed to a stressful dose. During the second experiment, carbon dioxide-rich seawater appears to have been produced more slowly than in the first, probably because of differences in the near-bottom flow regimes. We conclude that local physical circumstances can substantially influence the results of experiments of this type and will complicate the evaluation of the environmental consequences of deep-ocean carbon dioxide sequestration.

Contact author: David Thistle, Florida State University, Department of Oceanography Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306 U.S.A. [tel: 850 644 4089, fax: 850 644 2581, e-mail: thistle@ocean.fsu.edu]

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D3

Amplified Ocean Acidification in the Deep-Sea and the Treath to Deep-Sea EcosystemsJames P. Barry and Eric F. Pane

Acidification of ocean waters due to the influx of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere penetrates slowly to the deep-sea by mixing and stirring over time scales of several centuries. Although the pH of surface waters has already fallen by ~0.1 units, pH in the upper ocean (500 m), particularly in oxygen minimum zones underlying highly productive regions of the world oceans, respiratory CO2 has titrated much of the available carbonate, thereby reducing the buffering capacity of those waters. There, the additional burden of inorganic carbon by the downward mixing of the anthropogenic carbon signal will cause a much larger shift in ocean pH and pCO2 than would be observed in the upper ocean. Considering an atmosphere with CO2 levels of 700 ppm, upper ocean pH may fall by 0.3 to 0.4 units and pCO2 will increase by 500 to 1000 ppm. In deep-sea waters, however, pH will drop by more than 0.5 units and pCO2 could increase to over 2000 ppm. Shoaling of the carbonate compensation depth (CCD) due to the fall in ocean pH will result in some buffering of large pH changes at depth through the dissolution of the carbonate rain from surface waters. And over longer time scales (several thousand years) acidification of ocean waters will be buffered partially by the dissolution of carbonate sediments. But accelerating atmospheric CO2 emissions and the possibility of large scale ocean carbon sequestration will lead inevitably to higher ocean carbon levels, with maximum shifts of ocean pH and pCO2 in deep-sea waters. Amplification of ocean acidification in deep-sea waters will very likely increase physiological stress for a wide variety of deep-sea animals. In addition to compromising the calcification rates of corals and other taxa with carbonate skeletal elements, higher CO2 levels will likely increase respiratory stress, acidosis, and metabolic depression. Differential tolerance to environmental hypercapnia may have led to many observed patterns of distribution for deep-sea organisms, and is almost certain to influence deep-sea biological patterns in the future.

Contact author: James P. Barry, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, MBARI 7700 Sandholdt Road Moss Landing, CA 95039 USA [tel: 831-775-1726, fax: 831-775-1620, e-mail: barry@mbari.org]

D5

Acidification from direct and indirect storage in the deep seaPeter M. Haugan

Finally in 2009 the threats to marine life from ocean acidification have begun to be globally recognized as the second CO2 problem beside climate change. Ocean acidification due to CO2 emissions to the atmosphere was a decisive factor when the Oslo Paris Convention for the Protection of the North East Atlantic (OSPAR) recently decided in principle to open for consideration of projects which intend to store industrially produced CO2 into the subsoil of continental shelves. However, when storing in deep geological strata, the liquid CO2 is buoyant relative to the naturally occurring brine, fractures may be induced by the injection operation, and CO2 may leak to the ocean environment. In contrast, direct storage in deep sea depressions at depths larger than 3000m or in sediments at such large depths would be gravitationally stable. While direct storage in the deep ocean and its surface sediments is still prohibited, demands for such direct deep sea storage may arise in the future. How can ocean scientists and legislators deal with such issues? The largest ocean sequestration project remains the indirect one via the atmosphere. For the deep sea, indirect storage will be especially critical in the high latitude North Atlantic and in the Antarctic where deep mixing brings the anthropogenic signal rapidly towards the deep sea floor. The presentation will review relevant CO2 storage projects, options and issues.

Contact author: Peter M. Haugan, Geophysical Institute, Univ. of Bergen, Allegaten 70, N-5007 Bergen, Norway [tel: +47 5558 2678, fax: +47 5558 9883, Peter.Haugan@gfi.uib.no]

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PostersB3 Poster

Going for GoldMaria Baker, Stace Beaulieu, Christopher German, Maurice Tivey and Eva Ramirez-Llodra

Deep-sea hydrothermal vent systems are attracting considerable interest from commercial mining companies. Vent systems precipitate seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits that are rich in copper, gold, silver, and zinc. Although commercial firms are targeting inactive SMS deposits, these deposits are so little studied that it is unknown whether they harbor unique species or ecosystems. The new frontier of deep-sea exploration and mining raises a number of questions about the sustainable use of these resources and potential environmental impacts. A science and policy workshop sponsored by the Census of Marine Life \ChEss\ program, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and InterRidge, in addition to a public colloquium took place on April 1 - 2, 2009 at WHOI, and brought together vent scientists, specialists in marine conservation, mineral economics, international law, the International Seabed Authority, national interests in SMS, and representatives of industry and NGOs to inform each other, and the public, about this important topic. The issue of deep-sea mining of SMS is of global importance, connected to the global economy, society, and the conservation of unique marine life.

Contact author: Maria Baker, National Oceanography Centre, European Way Southampton SO14 3ZH UK [tel: 00 44 2380 596352, e-mail: mb11@noc.soton.ac.uk]

D1 - Poster

The Simulation Geological for water Shortage from Jifarah Plain Basin Northwest of Libya Fathi Elosta

Libya is among the countries suffering surface water supply shortage Due to scarcity of rain and snow era, and the formation mature, the vast Libyan lands (1.700.000km) in which 95% arid lands, in this study our focus will mainly be on Jifara blain basin with such a complicated geological formation higher to the south and lower to the north with extreme slop towards the sea, this area was exposed to cleave movement resulted in two fractures, the first fractures heading north-east toward Tunisia borders as for as Jabal Abu-kirsh , 100 to 200 meters , the second fracture is heading west and called , the greater Azizia elevate , such movement led to fold and slop towards the sea forming three Rock units : 1-Mountain front sequence extending from homes to missiles to the west where it includes gargarish formation constituting sand lime sediments, such sediments formed water reservoirs of great subterranean water reserves. 2-Mountain front sequence extending east and west to Tunisian borders, this line of sequence includes Abu-gailan and Abu-shaiba being covered by sand and limestone soil sedimentary containing underneath lime sediments it is around 700 meters over sea level, this formation also contains deep and wide gulfs including Mjineen and Essirt valleys being the main feeder to most north west area. 3-Hadba surface sequences include the 4th era formations scattered in most edges and centre of the area with rock masses in which much low water exists. It is believed that such rock units moved back to its present place by reason of different erosion factors, the basin is believed to be covered by lime and sand rock that led to the birth of lime water accumulations reaching 2.4x1610cubic km. Also the occurrence of low level water reservoirs scattered

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in the centre of the basin which was exposed to up and down and fracture movement contributed to the lowering of the north part of the basin most parts of this basin have been flooded by sea water during the Miocene and Oligocene resulted in the formation of rock Hollows consisting large quantities of water most of which are accumulated in the sea it is also believed that there is a large water basin branching from Jifara plain, it is also believed that the low level in the underground reservoirs is attributed to the low level of the north part of the basin where water flows from the south part towards the lower north part to flow into the sea water forming fresh water reservoirs inside the sea if we examine the way taken by water during the water cycle we find the movement indicates that it originates from sea to land , then land to sea again , once again it is believed that most countries will produce fresh water from sea in future as a result of water cycle of water returning to its original source. The 4th era sediments are considered to have contributed to the basin surface and underground features formation during Holocene containing water carrying sediments such as quaser El-haj formation consisting of lime and grain rocks where reservoirs of Al-Azizia Abushaibs and Abu-Ghailan are located where water is being pumped from Miocene layer as well as gargarish Formation which contains Ber El-Ghanam and kikla Reservoirs that are covered by lime sediments, water is being pumped towards south o f the basin, the south area of the Jifara plain. there are also saline sediments being spread south and west of the basin such salines were as result of dropping of Oligocene the matter which led to the salinity of the soil by effect of infiltration of salts contained in the rain water by this study we expect to find a trace of water flow from Jifara plain, towards sea, through a hollow in its north part, this matter resulted in creation of severe water shortage in the area. In this study, it is proposed that 3d three dimension surveys be carries out in the basin to find out the geological structure which led to this natural phenomena resulting in deformation to the installation of water distillation units for the purpose of refilling of such underground water reservoirs for the increase of its pressure and water reserve and increase of pressure.

Contact author: Fathi Elosta, Janzor Academy, General Education, Postgraduate Studies, Airport Road, Tripoli Libya P.O.BOX : 395 [tel: 00218924249530, fax: 00218213337169, e-mail: hmbstf@yahoo.co.uk]

D4 - Poster

An Oceanographic Atlas for the Azores region at AZODAn Oceanographic Atlas for the Azores region at AZODC (AZOres Oceanographic Data Centre)S. Sequeira, A. Mendona, A. Martins, M. Figueiredo and G. Lopes

An Oceanographic Atlas for the NE Atlantic (30-47N and 40- 8W) is under development at the University of the Azores. Main objectives are to provide information on ocean dynamics in the Azores region by routinely gathering and updating hydrological (T, S and dissolved oxygen), chemical (nutrients and pH) and biological (chlorophyll a) data obtained from regional to international cruises. Ten years of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (as a function of pressure for the study area) are used. A statistic validation is initially performed. Linear interpolation methods are then used in the vertical profiles. Objective analyses are finally made to create seasonal tridimensional fields for each parameter. These improve the study of seasonal variability as a function of depth (up to 5000 m). Based on these fields, geostrophic currents are calculated using as reference level, 2000 m depth. Data results are accessible at the recently created database website: AZOres Oceanographic Data Centre (AZODC) (http://oceano.horta.uac.pt/azodc/). AZODC further provides real-time tide gauge data for several islands of the Azores and near-real time satellite data acquired from ocean colour and thermal infra-red sensors.

Contact author: Sandra Sequeira, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas (DOP) Universidade dos Aores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal [tel: +351 292 200 445, fax:+351 292200411, e-mail: sandrasequeira@uac.pt]

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D7 - Poster

EuroSITES European Ocean Observatory Network: a tool to understand the global Ocean response to climate changeR.S. Lampitt, K.E. Larkin, M. Gehlen and the EuroSITES Consortium

There is an ever-growing demand for high quality, real-time marine datasets of climatically relevant parameters. Deep ocean in situ observatories are one key infrastructure within a global ocean observing network to achieve this goal. The high resolution multidisciplinary datasets produced offer vital insights into the inter-annual variability of oceanic processes and capture episodic events otherwise missed by other sampling strategies. EuroSITES is a European FP7 Collaborative Project (2008-2011) which will integrate and enhance 9 existing deep (>1000 m) ocean observatories across Europe. The aims, objectives and initial results will be presented along with details of specific science missions and sensor developments including the measurement of deep ocean oxygen consumption, pH and tsunami detection. Contribution to GEOSS and links with other relevant projects and initiatives including ESONET, EMSO PP, EPOCA, ACOBAR, HERMES, HERMIONE, CoralFISH, OOI and NEPTUNE will also be presented.

Contact author: Marion Gehlen, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de LEnvironnement (LSCE), UMR CEA-CNRS-UVSQ CEN de Saclay, LOrme des Merisiers, Bt.712 F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex [tel: + 33 1 69 08 86 72, e-mail: marion.gehlen@lsce.ipsl.fr]

Session C and FDeep Sea Technology and Biotechnology

Research and Development

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Keynote

Autonomous Discovery, Mapping, and Sampling of Deep Sea Hydrothermal VentsDana Yoerger

This talk will begin by presenting a future concept for hydrothermal vent discovery, exploration, and sampling. In the near future, we may be able to go to an unexplored ridge segment, launch one or more autonomous underwater vehicles, and locate, survey, and sample biota from all the vents on that segment. How much of this problem is presently solved, and how much remains? Recently, we have succeeded in locating undiscovered hydrothermal vent sites using our autonomous underwater vehicle ABE. These discoveries include vent sites in the Lau Basin (20S, 176W) and the first vents found on the Southern Mid Atlantic Ridge (5S, 12W) and Southwest Indian Ridge (38S, 50E). During this process, ABE makes maps of the water column, creates detailed bathymetric maps, and takes bottom photos of the vent sites. While the vehicle runs autonomously, we execute at least three dives with substantial data interpretation and planning by the science party between each dive. In this presentation, these results will be reviewed, the underlying engineering presented, and the role of human decisionmakers explained. Based on these experiences, we believe these results can be extended to enable fully autonomous vent discovery, mapping, and even sampling. The capabilities of autonomous underwater vehicles are improving in many aspects, including range, navigational capability, and insitu sensing. In this talk, our initial attempts to improve efficiency through autonomous decision making will be reviewed, and candidate paradigms that can enable fully autonomous search will be presented. Plans for autonomous sampling will also be discussed.

Contact author: Dana Yoerger, Deep Submergence Laboratory, Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA 02543 [e-mail: dyoerger@whoi.edu]

Keynote

Deep Sea Observatory Networks: a new scienceRoland Person and ESONET partners

Introduction For a long time, deep sea investigation relied on sampling during exploration cruises and deployment of autonomous moorings and bottom landers for short periods. A growing set of earth science questions are requiring a broad and integrated network of ocean and seafloor observations. Understanding the ocean, and the complex physical, biological, chemical, and geological systems operating within it, should be an important goal for the opening decades of the 21st century. A fully comprehensive definition of the term seafloor observatories was given for the first time by the National Research Council report Illuminating the Hidden Planet. The future of Seafloor Observatory Science, where we could read: an unmanned system, at a fixed site, of instruments, sensors, and command modules connected to land either acoustically or via a seafloor junction box to a surface buoy or a fibre-optic cable. Earth and ocean processes operate on scales from a fraction of a second to de cades or more. The need to resolve patterns and processes across many time and space scales has pushed the development of several global and ocean observing programs worldwide that integrate a variety of tools. In particular there is now wide recognition that research addressing science questions of international priority, such as understanding potential impacts of climate change or geohazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis, should be done in a framework that can adequately address questions across scales. Several key questions emerged that will require comprehensive interdisciplinary approaches. In order to address many of these questions, Deep Sea Observatory users will require other supporting data from other programs from local to international levels. Examples of these other data sources include satellite oceanographic data, climatic data, air-sea interface data, and the known distribution and abundances of marine fauna. Thus the connection of

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Deep Sea Observatory projects to other programs is integral to their success. The development of Deep Sea Observatories (NEPTUNE, ESONET NoE, EMSO, DONET, MARS, EUROSITES, OCEANSITE) provides a substantial opportunity for ocean science to evolve in the world providing long term to permanent time series with high frequency sampling. Furthermore, these programs are integrating into larger science frameworks including the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and Kopernikus. It is only in a g