Gulf of Lions - Ecology

The Gulf of Lions is host to a high diversity of pelagic, demersal and benthic organisms, including top predators such as sea birds, dolphins, hake and Atlantic bluefin tuna. The most important species in term of fishery landings are European pilchard and European anchovy; they are also key trophic groups in the food web, linking pelagic primary producers to consumers through their consumption of phytoplankton and their role as prey to consumers. Other important fish species are Atlantic mackerel and blue whiting: Atlantic mackerel is a demersal top predator important in coupling between pelagic and benthic compartments; blue whiting is a forage species, highly abundant on the continental slope and important in the diet of top predators such as hake and dolphins. Sea birds, dolphins and cuttlefish represent keystone species.