First documented black seabream nesting aggregation in the Mediterranean 🐟

Our new paper in Environmental Biology of Fishes documents the first recorded nesting aggregation of black seabream (Spondyliosoma cantharus) in the Mediterranean Sea.

We found a dense field of male-guarded nests completely by accident, while our NEMO project ROV surveys were focused on mapping gorgonian and coralligenous habitats – and suddenly the seafloor “switched” to a breeding colony.

Why it matters:

• Shows complex nesting behaviour and parental care in a heavily fished species
• Reveals a previously unknown, spatially concentrated breeding hotspot
• Highlights how vulnerable these sites are to both fishing pressure and marine litter
• Proves the value of deep-sea habitat surveys for finding critical life-history areas we weren’t even looking for

🔗 Check out all the details in the new publication that you can read via the author’s link: https://rdcu.be/eTtif

Check out a video capturing the moment of the discovery here!