The assemblage structure and vertical distribution of deep-pelagic fishes relative to a mid-ocean ridge system are described from an acoustic and discrete-depth trawling survey conducted as part of the international Census of Marine Life field project MAR-ECO http://www.mar-eco.no. The 36-station, zig-zag survey along the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR; Iceland to the Azores) covered the full depth range (0 to >3000 m), from the surface to near the bottom, using a combination of gear types to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the pelagic fauna. Abundance per volume of deep-pelagic fishes was highest in the epipelagic zone and within the benthic boundary layer (BBL; 0–200 m above the seafloor).
This is the author’s version of a work accepted for publication by Elsevier. Changes resulting from the publishing process, including peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting and other quality control mechanisms, may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. The definitive version has been published at http://www.elsevier.com/ and may be cited as: Sutton, T.T., Porteiro, F.M., Heino, M., Byrkjedal, I., Langhelle, G., Anderson, C.I.H., Horne, J., Søiland, H., Falkenhaug, T., Godø, O.R., and Bergstad, O.A. (2007) Vertical structure, biomass and topographic association of deep-pelagic fishes in relation to a mid-ocean ridge system, Deep-Sea Research II 55:161–184 doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2007.09.013
Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contribution #1665b.