Ecosystem structure and fishing impacts in the NW Mediterranean Sea using a food-web model within a comparative approach

Abstract

We developed a food-web model to characterize the structure and functioning of the marine continental shelf and slope area of the NW Mediterranean Sea, from Toulon to Cape La Nao (Figure 1), in the early 2000. Previously, various models were developed in the area using Ecopath approach (Bănaru et al., 2013; Coll et al., 2006) but the new model included a larger area considering important hydrodynamic events in the region that enhance the connectivity between both regions. From a fisheries point of view, there are also some shared-stocks in the larger area, such as hake and anchovy. The model covers 45547 km2 and includes depths from 0 to 1000 m