Flatfish
Layer Flatfish.png
Layer Info
Category Ecology
Sub-category Fish

Description

Flatfish is a group of fish characterized by their flattened bodies, which allows them to lie on the ocean floor. There are numerous species of flatfish found in oceans around the world. Flatfish are primarily bottom-dwelling fish and are commonly found in coastal and continental shelf areas. They have both eyes located on one side which allows them to rest on the ocean floor with their eyes facing upward. Flatfish are ambush predators, which means the lay still and wait for prey to pass by before striking.

Example species: Common Sole (Solea solea)

Habitat: Demersal
Main role: Predator
Trophic level: 4

IUCN Red List Assessment: Stable

Diet: The common sole primarily feed on small fish and a variety of bottom-dwelling invertebrates, including crustaceans and worms. They are opportunistic predators, meaning they eat what is available in their environment.

Threats: The high commercial value of the Common Sole is its biggest threat. It makes it one of the most important species targeted by inshore fishing using trawls and fixed nets. The Common Sole is also both intentionally targeted and frequently caught as by-catch in offshore fishing operations.

Types

  • Very Low Density
  • Low Density
  • Medium Density
  • High Density
  • Very High Density

Metadata

Flatfish is a month-by-month, computer generated data layer following calculations made by the ecosystem simulation (EwE).

For more information on how Ecopath-with-Ecosim (EwE) works, please visit our Wiki page or visit the official EwE website at https://ecopath.org. For detailed information on how the simulation works for the North Sea Edition, we recommend further exploring our research publication called "Combining ecosystem modeling with serious gaming in support of transboundary maritime spatial planning".

Not applicable. This layer is not available in the MSP Challenge Baltic Sea Edition.

Types

  • Extremely Low
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High
  • Extra High

Metadata

Data Source

Flatfish is a month-by-month, computer generated data layer following calculations made by the ecosystem simulation (EwE).

For more information on how Ecopath-with-Ecosim (EwE) works, please visit our Wiki page or visit the official EwE website at https://ecopath.org. For detailed information on how the simulation works for the Clyde Marine Region Edition, we recommend further exploring our research publication called "Combining ecosystem modeling with serious gaming in support of transboundary maritime spatial planning".


Not applicable. This layer is not available in the MSP Challenge Adriatic Sea Edition.

Not applicable. This layer is not available in the MSP Challenge Eastern Mediterranean Sea Edition.

This page was last edited on 9 October 2023, at 07:54. Content is available under GPLv3 unless otherwise noted.