Scientists to research ‘hotspots’ of mid-water fish in Newfoundland Sea

Irish and Canadian scientists will conduct fisheries research onboard Irish national research vessel RV Celtic Explorer, which has set sail from Galway bound for the Labrador and Newfoundland Seas.

The researchers’ aim is to search for “hot spots” of smaller mid-water fish, like lanternfish, and begin to understand their distribution. The vessel will research cod stocks on the Flemish Cap en route to Newfoundland and Labrador, and complete a large scale survey for cod and capelin in those waters.

The oceanic survey, led by Dr George Rose, director of the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, will gather oceanographic data and acoustic recordings, building on data from surveys in 2011 and 2012.