Marine

MRV Alba na Mara: Survey 1714A – Cruise Programme

October 13, 2014 by Marine Scotland Communications No Comments | Category Marine Directorate general, Marine Directorate Science, Research Vessel Surveys

Figure 1 – Map of the study area in the waters around the Isle of Skye

26 September – 14 October 2014

Ports: Loading in Fraserburgh, 24 September 2014 and unloading in Greenock, 14 October 2014

Personnel: Five

Gear:

• Pyramid frame and underwater video camera kit.
• Pyramid frame calibration mesh (2 x wire panels)
• Large, dual bongo + counterweight + 200 µm net and cod ends
• Large plastic fish tank (white) + grey fish tanks
• Scanmar depth units (x2)

Objectives

Benthic Survey of Burrowed Mud Habitats

1714A will survey the waters around the Marine Protected Area (MPA) sited at the island of Canna (Figure 1). Video surveys of the seabed will be carried out during this work in addition to the collection of RoxAnn sediment data. It is the primary objective of this cruise to survey monitoring sites previously surveyed in 2012 and 2013 that support Scotland’s Priority Marine Features. Work from these surveys will be used to determine the effect of MPAs established in Scottish waters. A secondary objective will be to survey additional sites in the area surrounding the Small Isles and another to the north of the Isle of Skye that could provide suitable substrate for the tall sea pen, Funiculina quadrangularis, and for the fan mussel, Atrina fragilis. These data, in conjunction with data gathered from less suitable sites, will be used to refine habitat suitability models for these species. Species type, species densities and substrate type will be recorded during the survey. Further post survey analysis will be conducted on this data.

Figure 2 – Map of the study area in the waters surrounding the Small Isles.

Larval Dispersal

1714A will sample plankton from the water around Canna. The programme of work follows on from plankton surveys conducted in June 2012 (survey 1012A), and September 2013 (1213A). Sampling will be conducted using the large (1 m diameter) dual bongo net.

Further to this work, 1714A will also retrieve a spat collecting mooring from Canna which was deployed from the MV Spanish John II on the 29April 2014. Candidate A. fragilis spat found on the spat collectors will be measured, weighed and placed in holding tanks for further cultivation in the laboratory.

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