José Nuno Gomes-Pereira

Aim: To assess how climate change may alter the extent, spatial distribution and persistence of suitable habitat for 16 cetacean species in the Northeast Atlantic under contrasting climate scenarios. Location: Northeast Atlantic Ocean, spanning from Icelandic waters to tropical West Africa. Taxon: Cetaceans. Methods: We used Bayesian additive regression trees (BART) to project habitat suitability of 16 cetacean species for 2030–2100 under two climate scenarios (SSP1‐1.9 and SSP5‐8.5). We quantified changes in habitat extent (basin‐scale suitability, potential species richness and net habitat change), habitat redistribution (trailing‐edge, leading‐edge and centroid shifts) and habitat persistence (refugia index and refugial retention). Results: Under SSP1‐1.9, habitat changes were generally small. Under SSP5‐8.5, 12 of 16 species showed net contraction of suitable habitat (largest in Orcinus orca , −48.3%), whereas two remained broadly stable and two expanded. Habitat redistribution showed a consistent poleward shift at leading edges, with 13 species shifting poleward by up to 30.1 km/decade ( Delphinus delphis ), whereas trailing‐edge shifts were predominantly equatorward and centroid responses ranged from little change to substantial poleward displacement. Habitat persistence varied little, with 10 species retaining more than 90% of baseline suitability. Stenella frontalis uniquely combined the lowest refugial retention (82%) with substantial net habitat loss (−33%). Multi‐species refugia were concentrated along continental shelf systems, particularly the northwest African shelf, Iberian shelf‐break, Bay of Biscay–Celtic Sea and Norwegian shelf–North Sea. Main Conclusions: Climate change is projected to reorganise suitable habitat rather than uniformly reduce its extent for Northeast Atlantic cetaceans. The concentration of persistent habitat along continental shelves suggests that physiographic stability contributes to maintaining suitable habitat despite warming. Habitat extent, latitudinal shifts and persistence represent complementary but only weakly coupled dimensions of climate‐driven habitat change, indicating that no single metric adequately captures projected habitat change. Considering these dimensions together provides a more complete basis for identifying candidate priority areas for conservation planning under alternative emissions pathways.

The first insights on habitat and phylogenetic origin of a newly found population of Solen marginatus are provided in the mid-North Atlantic Azores archipelago, in the bay of Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island. Distribution is confined to the northern portion and most sheltered part of the bay down to 14.2 m depth. Densities with an average of 12.69 individuals/m² were found at 8.4 m depth, using 4 × 20 sqm visual transects. Sizes of shell length between 10 and 12 cm comprised 60% of collected specimens (n = 118), ranging between 8.79 and 15.4 cm and averaging 11.28 cm. Considering shell length, the high densities and dispersion area, a settlement period above 20 years is estimated. Greater genetic affinity was found in the Ria de Aveiro (North of Portugal) and the Asturias populations (North of Spain). The source origin remains undetermined, with intentional or non-intentional anthropogenic introduction, as well as natural dispersion remaining possible, although more unlikely. Due to the commercial value of this species, a new clam fishery is likely to develop in the area, requiring further studies and immediate conservation measures.

Leucism has been reported in at least 14 cetacean species, including Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus). Risso’s dolphins with abnormal pigmentation were sighted and photographed north of Faial Island, Azores Archipelago, in 6 separate events between 2020 and 2023. In 2020, a calf and a juvenile/subadult were observed within a group of over 100 individuals. A leucistic calf with pale skin and dark eyes was observed in 2021, 2022, and 2023 in the same area followed by the same adult within a pod of about 12 individuals, including 3 juveniles, all with normal coloration. This is the first report of wild leucistic Risso’s dolphins in the Atlantic, which could be of interest in future local population and hypopigmentation studies on a dolphin species known to become completely white with age.

We report the first mono-specific facies of Parazoanthus axinellae from the western Portuguese coast. The habitat was recorded using a MiniRov Observer on a large outcrop at ca. 55–60 m in the Luiz Saldanha Marine Park. A method to estimate the maximum uncertainty of the ROV position is illustrated and the occurrence of the facies is discussed.

Malcolm Roy Clarke (1930–2013) was a British teuthologist who made an important contribution to marine science in the Azores archipelago (Portugal). Malcolm started doing research in the Azores from 1980s onward, settling for residency in 2000 after retirement (in 1987). He kept publishing on Azorean cephalopods collaborating in 20% of the peer reviewed works focusing on two main areas: dietary studies; and the ecology of cephalopods on seamounts. Since his first visit in 1981, he was involved in the description of the dietary ecology of several cetaceans, seabirds, and large pelagic and deep-water fish. Using his own data, Malcolm revised the association of cephalopods with seamounts, updating and enlarging the different cephalopod groups according to species behaviour and ecology. Malcolm taught several students working in the Azores on cephalopods and beak identification, lecturing the Third International Workshop in Faial (2007). He empowered the recently established research community, by providing important contacts with foreign institutes and informal advice. He collaborated in the regional cetacean stranding network (RACA) and was an active member of the advisory board of the journal Arquipelago—Life and Marine Sciences. But the scientific role of Malcolm Clarke in the Azores went beyond his academic activities. In the last 10 years Malcolm and Dot Clarke dedicated themselves to building and running a museum on Pico Island, showing the biology of the sperm whale and its interaction with squid; a cultural and touristic legacy for future generations to enjoy.

Anthropogenic litter is present in all marine habitats, from beaches to the most remote points in the oceans. On the seafloor, marine litter, particularly plastic, can accumulate in high densities with deleterious consequences for its inhabitants. Yet, because of the high cost involved with sampling the seafloor, no large-scale assessment of distribution patterns was available to date. Here, we present data on litter distribution and density collected during 588 video and trawl surveys across 32 sites in European waters. We found litter to be present in the deepest areas and at locations as remote from land as the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The highest litter density occurs in submarine canyons, whilst the lowest density can be found on continental shelves and on ocean ridges. Plastic was the most prevalent litter item found on the seafloor. Litter from fishing activities (derelict fishing lines and nets) was particularly common on seamounts, banks, mounds and ocean ridges. Our results highlight the extent of the problem and the need for action to prevent increasing accumulation of litter in marine environments.