Baseline study Fish, fry and commercial fishery Nysted Offshore ...

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3.9.5. Comments on some the remaining species.
Only 50 individuals of Atlantic cod were caught, which was lower compared to
abundances observed during the initial screening. Only a few of the individuals were
considered 0-group juveniles.
The presence of five species from the order pipefish contributed to increase the overall
fish diversity, however none of them were found in large numbers.
Four other species of flatfish were caught besides flounder, including one individual of
the common sole (Solea solea), which was not represented in the preliminary screening
investigation.
3.9.6. Statistical comparison of sampling areas.
The catch data of all species suffer from lack of variance homogeneity, in consideration
to ln(number) and ln(weight) and by that, it was not possible to show effects of
interaction, which makes it possible to establish temporal and/or spatial differences
(Table 3.9.3). Though, especially eelpout but also two spotted goby indicated effect of
interaction, which is deduced by the plots (Figure 3.9.15. and 3.9.16).
The abundance of turbot and flounders appear to be equally distributed throughout the
wind farm and reference areas. The eelpout and short-spined sea scorpion showed
differences between the to areas, with highest catches in the wind farm area. Similarities
in weight between the two areas appeared in brisling, small sandeel, short-spined sea
scorpion, turbot and flounder, however the species small sandeel and turbot did not
fulfil the test assumption of variance homogeneity.
The length distribution of Atlantic cod, great sandeel and eelpout was found to be
different between the Wind farm and Reference areas. The mean length of Atlantic cod
and sand goby was larger in the wind farm area relative to the reference area.
SEAS. Baseline study – Fish, fry and commercial fishery Dok. nr. 2148-03-001-rev3 2P.doc