Feeding behaviour of deep-water scavengers in the central Mediterranean: in situ observations using a baited lander

Using a baited lander in Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) along Apulian coast between 476 and 792 m in depth, information on feeding behaviour of scavenger specie were recorded. Lander MEMO was deployed in 3 VMEs characterized by the presence of CWC species and habitat: Bari Canyon (BC) province, off Monopoli (Mn) and Santa Maria di Leuca (SML) province. A total of 28 species were recorded and 11 of them showed feeding behaviour on bait. In BC the highest mean scavenging rate of 10219 g/day was recorded and in all areas Conger conger was the most active scavenger on the bait.