en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, together with the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, has recently launched the "Platuxa 2026" research campaign aimed at surveying the bottom fishery resources of the Great Bank of Newfoundland.

This study is conducted within the regulatory area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO), with data collection targeting species of commercial interest to the Spanish fleet. According to the ministry, the oceanographic research vessel "Vizconde de Eza" is scheduled to depart from the port of Vigo on June 7, with survey work taking place from June 15 to July 4, and concluding at the port of St. John's, Canada, on July 5.

Scientists will collect biological, growth, and reproductive data on populations including American plaice, cod, Greenland halibut, redfish, lemon sole, grouper, grenadier, and northern shrimp. The ministry noted that this research is highly relevant to the Northwest Atlantic bottom trawl fishery, where redfish accounts for approximately 9% of the catch and Greenland halibut for 4%.

Data collected at depths of up to 1,500 meters will also be used to analyze invertebrate communities and water column parameters, assisting the NAFO Scientific Council in assessing regional stock populations. Since 1995, this campaign has been led by the Vigo Oceanographic Centre of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography and co-funded by the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.

The 53-meter-long "Vizconde de Eza" is equipped with six specialized laboratories and a dedicated propulsion system, enabling silent navigation for acoustic data collection.

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