Marine

MRV Scotia: Survey 2214A – Cruise Programme

November 28, 2014 by Marine Directorate Communications No Comments | Category Marine Directorate general, Marine Directorate Science, Research Vessel Surveys

Duration: 28 November – 05 December 2014

Loading: Fraserburgh, 26 November 2014

Sailing: Fraserburgh, 28 November 2014

Unloading: Leith, 5 December 2014

Sampling gear:

• BT 158 with 50 mm cod-end
• 2 m beam trawl with 50 mm cod-end
• Day grab and table
• Catamaran and manta neuston net

Objectives:

1. To undertake flatfish and sediment sampling in St Andrews Bay, Outer Firth of Forth and Forth estuary in support of the Clean Seas Environment Monitoring Programme (OSPAR and MSFD).
2. To undertake sample preparation for subsequent eco-toxicological analyses.
3. To collect sediment samples from the Forth estuary on behalf of SEPA and for the Quasimeme proficiency testing scheme.
4. To undertake survey of sea-surface litter in surface waters of the Scottish east coast.
5. Adventitious sampling of fish and shellfish for microplastics.
6. To survey the fish assemblage of the Forth estuary on behalf of SEPA.

Procedure:

Fishing and scientific gear will be loaded in Fraserburgh prior to Alba na Mara sailing on 28 November. Flounder and five sediment stations will be sampled in St Andrews Bay, dab and five sediment stations in the outer Firth of Forth and flounder sampled in the Forth estuary. The neuston manta trawl will be deployed during passage from Fraserburgh to the Forth estuary. This net is to be towed at five knots, or less, for 30-90 minutes in order to collect and sample microplastics floating on the sea surface.

Further sediments will be collected from the lower Forth estuary for SEPA and bulk sediment collected for the Quasimeme proficiency testing scheme. Two SEPA staff will join the vessel and investigate the fish assemblage of the Forth estuary on the penultimate day of the survey. This will require the vessel to make a suitable port call for the evening of 3 December.

On completion of this survey, passage will be made to Leith from where all scientific gear and samples will be transferred to MSS (Aberdeen)/SEPA as required.

Comments