Stranding of Mesopelagic Fishes in the Canary Islands

Simple Summary We investigated the causative mechanism of the first mesopelagic fish strandings along the southeast shore of Gran Canaria Island (Canary Islands) during June 2021. We examined remote sensor data (current velocity, Trade Winds, and the presence of upwelling filaments and eddies near the island) to determine the reasons for the strandings. The biological data collected was appropriate for external morphological identification and otolith analysis. In summary, the stranding of mesopelagic fishes was dominated mainly by Diaphus dumerilli, although the otolith analysis revealed the presence of other Myctophidae species. Stranding events are common and appear to be related to mesoscale oceanographic structures. A monitoring program of coastal sites in combination with satellite-derived environmental data will help to gather robust information for modeling when and where such events might occur and what species are associated with these processes. Most mesopelagic fishes perform large diel vertical migrations from the deep-sea zone to the surface. Although there is a trade-off between a higher food availability at the upper layers and an energy cost and predation risk, incursion towards the surface also implies a transport by currents, where the fish are exposed to a stranding risk on the coast. Here, we reported the first documented stranding of mesopelagic fishes along the southeast shore of Gran Canaria Island. Our study hypothesized that (1) the influence of the Canary Current, (2) the dominant incidence of the Trade Winds during summer, and (3) the presence of an upwelling filament coupled with an anticyclonic eddy south of Gran Canaria Island were the causative mechanisms of the strandings. Diaphus dumerilii (Myctophidae family) was the main species found as observed from an external morphological analysis using traditional taxonomy. The otolith contour analysis suggested the presence of other Diaphus spp. and Lobianchia dofleini. Nevertheless, the otolith morphological features described in the literature suggested that all the specimens were actually D. dumerelii. Errors in the identification were mainly due to the high intraspecific variability found in the otolith morphology. Even so, two patterns of oval and elliptic shapes were described with significant differences in its morphometry.

Automated summary

This study investigated the causal mechanism of the first mesopelagic fish strandings along the southeast shore of Gran Canaria Island. It was found that these strandings were mainly dominated by Diaphus dumerilli, but other Myctophidae species were also present. The study suggests that a monitoring program of coastal sites combined with satellite-derived environmental data can provide valuable information for modeling and predicting such events. The findings highlight the importance of mesoscale oceanographic structures in the occurrence of fish strandings.