Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus stocks are highly variable in terms of recruitment, biomass and spatial distribution. Changes in habitat conditions may influence both the survival of the early life stages and the adult stages. Detailed studies on the spatial distribution and habitat selection of such species have been performed in different areas of the world, highlighting the importance of environmental processe...

The Strait of Sicily plays a crucial role in determining the water-mass exchanges and related properties between the western and eastern Mediterranean. Hydrographic measurements carried out from 1998 to 2013 allowed the identification of the main water masses present in the Strait of Sicily: a surface layer composed of Atlantic water (AW) flowing eastward, intermediate and deep layers mainly composed of Levantine intermediate...