Sand eel: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Flickr - Rainbirder - Back from a fishing trip.jpg|thumb|An [[Atlantic Puffin]] with its beak full of sand eels]] |
[[File:Flickr - Rainbirder - Back from a fishing trip.jpg|thumb|An [[Atlantic Puffin]] with its beak full of sand eels]] |
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'''Sand eel''' or '''sandeel''' is the common name used for a considerable number of species of [[fish]]. Most of them are sea fish of the [[genus|genera]] ''[[Hyperoplus]]'' (greater |
'''Sand eel''' or '''sandeel''' is the common name used for a considerable number of species of [[fish]]. Most of them are sea fish of the [[genus|genera]] ''[[Hyperoplus]]'' (greater sand eels), ''[[Gymnammodytes]]'' or ''[[Ammodytes]]''. Many species are found off the western coasts of [[Europe]] from [[Spain]] to [[Scotland]], and in the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] and [[Baltic Sea]]s. |
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The three genera listed above all fall within the [[family (biology)|family]] '''[[Ammodytidae]]''', the [[ |
The three genera listed above all fall within the [[family (biology)|family]] '''[[Ammodytidae]]''', the [[sand lance]]s. Members of these genera found in other [[ocean]]s are not usually called sand eels, and species from other parts of the world re known as sand eels are usually less closely related. None of the sand eels is related to the true [[eel]]s. |
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Sand eels are an important food source for seabirds, including [[puffin]]s and [[Black-legged Kittiwake|kittiwake]]s. |
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==Habitat== |
==Habitat== |
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A preferential habitat is a seabed floor, |
A preferential habitat is a seabed floor, with a relatively smooth bottom of gravelly sand; an example of this prime habitat is the floor of the [[Sea of the Hebrides]].<ref>C.Michael Hogan, (2011) [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Sea_of_Hebrides?topic=49523 ''Sea of the Hebrides'']. Eds. P. Saundry & C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC.</ref> Sand eels typically burrow in the sand to escape from predators. |
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==Commercial fishing== |
==Commercial fishing== |
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Traditionally they have been little exploited for human food, but are a major target of "industrial fishing" for animal feed and fertilizer. Increasing fishing |
Traditionally, they have been little exploited for human food, but are a major target of "industrial fishing" for animal feed and fertilizer. Increasing fishing for them is thought to be causing problems for some of their natural predators, especially the [[auk]]s which take them in deeper water. |
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An instance of this was the [[RSPB]] linking a [[population dynamics|population crash]] of sea birds in the [[North Sea]] to fishing for sand eels. This led to political pressure for the closure of this fishery; the seabird populations subsequently improved. However, a second population crash of |
An instance of this was the [[RSPB]] linking a [[population dynamics|population crash]] of sea birds in the [[North Sea]] to fishing for sand eels. This led to political pressure for the closure of this fishery; the seabird populations subsequently improved. However, a second population crash of sea birds which occurred with no effect on the stocks of sand eel, cast doubt on this link.{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
Revision as of 19:54, 29 March 2014
Sand eel or sandeel is the common name used for a considerable number of species of fish. Most of them are sea fish of the genera Hyperoplus (greater sand eels), Gymnammodytes or Ammodytes. Many species are found off the western coasts of Europe from Spain to Scotland, and in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas.
The three genera listed above all fall within the family Ammodytidae, the sand lances. Members of these genera found in other oceans are not usually called sand eels, and species from other parts of the world re known as sand eels are usually less closely related. None of the sand eels is related to the true eels.
Sand eels are an important food source for seabirds, including puffins and kittiwakes.
Habitat
A preferential habitat is a seabed floor, with a relatively smooth bottom of gravelly sand; an example of this prime habitat is the floor of the Sea of the Hebrides.[1] Sand eels typically burrow in the sand to escape from predators.
Commercial fishing
Traditionally, they have been little exploited for human food, but are a major target of "industrial fishing" for animal feed and fertilizer. Increasing fishing for them is thought to be causing problems for some of their natural predators, especially the auks which take them in deeper water.
An instance of this was the RSPB linking a population crash of sea birds in the North Sea to fishing for sand eels. This led to political pressure for the closure of this fishery; the seabird populations subsequently improved. However, a second population crash of sea birds which occurred with no effect on the stocks of sand eel, cast doubt on this link.[citation needed]
See also
Reference line notes
- ^ C.Michael Hogan, (2011) Sea of the Hebrides. Eds. P. Saundry & C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC.
External links
- Eurofish: "Sandeel provide the backbone for industrial fishery"
- Greenpeace: "Industrial "Hoover" Fishing"