Assessment of demersal distribution between two fishing areas in North and Central Greece

The site specific CPUE and biomass of the demersal fauna were assessed in two sampling areas situated in Pieria (north Greece, lower Thermaikos) and Argolikos bay (central Greece). In total 22 hauls were conducted 12 of which in Pieria and 10 in Argolikos between January and August of 2009. The demersal fauna showed differences between number of taxa, number of individuals, abundance and biomass between the sampling sites. Mullus barbatus, Trachurus mediterraneus and Diplodus annularιs were the most dominant species in the area of Pieria (40% of the total abundance), whilst the most dominant species in Argolikos were Mullus barbatus, Lepidopus caudatus and Diplodus annularιs (60% of the total abundance). Species richness, diversity, evenness and numerical abundance were higher in Pieria. Cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling indicated differences between the two sites. Abundance biomass curves suggested that both sites are moderately disturbed, whereas K-dominance curves suggested that Pieria was slightly more impacted but not statistically significant compared to Argolikos.