Demersali
Demersali (demersal species) are aquatic organisms that live and feed near the seabed. In marine biology, the term demersal describes animals that inhabit the bottom region of seas or lakes, as opposed to pelagic species that roam the open water column. Demersali primarily occur on continental shelves and slopes, on substrates such as sand, mud, rubble, or rocky bottoms, and can occupy a broad range of depths from shallow coastal zones to deep-water habitats.
Biology and ecology vary among demersal groups. Many demersal fishes are associated with the substrate and
Fisheries and management are central to discussions of demersali. Demersal fishes support substantial global fisheries, particularly
Examples of demersal fishes include cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), hake (Merluccius spp.), and flatfishes