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distribution modelling; generalized additive models; deep-sea coral; deep-sea sponge; habitat; spatial management; Alaska

The objective of the present analysis was to construct models that could predict the distribution, abundance and diversity of deep sea corals and sponges in the Aleutian Islands. Generalized additive models were constructed based on bottom trawl survey data collected from 1991 to 2011 and tested on data from 2012.