Global fisheries are in decline, calling for urgent evidence-based action. One such action is the identification and protection of fishery-associated habitats such as seagrass meadows and kelp forests, both of which have suffered long-term loss and degradation in the North Atlantic region. Direct comparisons of the value of seagrass and kelp in supporting demersal fish assemblages are largely absent from the literature. Here, we address this knowledge gap. Demersal fish were sampled using a baited camera to test for differences between habitats in (1) the species composition of the fish assemblages, (2) the total abundance and species richness of fishes, and (3) the abundances of major commercial species. Seagrass and kelp-associated fish assemblages formed two significantly distinct groupings, which were driven by increased whiting (Merlangius merlangus) and dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) presence in seagrass and higher abundances of pollock (Pollachius pollachius) and goby (Gobiusculus flavescens) in kelp. The abundance, diversity, and species richness did not change significantly between the two habitats. We conclude that seagrass and kelp do support unique demersal fish assemblages, providing evidence that they have different ecological value through their differing support of commercial fish species. Thus, this study improves the foundation for evidence-based policy changes.

中文翻译：

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东北大西洋海草和海带的深海鱼群

全球渔业正在减少，呼吁采取紧急的循证行动。其中一项行动是查明和保护与渔业有关的生境，例如海草草甸和海带森林，这两种生境都在北大西洋区域遭受了长期损失和退化。文献中基本上没有直接比较海草和海带在支持沉鱼组合中的价值。在这里，我们解决了这一知识差距。使用诱饵照相机对海底鱼类进行采样，以测试以下方面的栖息地之间的差异：（1）鱼群的物种组成；（2）鱼的总丰度和物种丰富度；（3）主要商业物种的丰度。海草和海带相关的鱼群形成两个明显不同的群体，这归因于白垩病的增加（Merlangius merlangus）和角鲨（Scyliorhinus天狼星）在海草和鳕鱼（高丰度存在青鳕）和虾虎鱼（Gobiusculus苦参）在海带。在两个生境之间，丰度，多样性和物种丰富度没有明显变化。我们得出的结论是，海草和海带确实支持独特的沉鱼组合，从而证明它们通过对商业鱼类的不同支持而具有不同的生态价值。因此，本研究为基于证据的政策变更奠定了基础。