Résumé
The assemblages of demersal fish and associated species of the Mauritanian continental shelf are characterized on the basis of annual trawl surveys conducted during the period 1987–1999. Species composition is dominated by exploited species (Dentex spp., Pagellus bellottii, and Octopus vulgaris). Dominance curves (Abundance Biomass Comparison plots) were used to evaluate the impact of fisheries, which have increased in magnitude over several decades. The diagnosis of a “stressed” assemblage seems to converge with the results of a similar study conducted off Senegal, but here there was no trend in impact during the period of study. The sensitivity of the present results to the various ways of considering the available taxonomic information is also analysed.