Marine

 Duration: 3-22 October 2015

Gear:

• Pyramid frame + calibration mesh
• Large camera drop frame
• Large bongos + flow meters + plankton kit
• Day grab table
• HD TV system + Lights
• Armoured cable + spare + axle stands
• Stereo TV System

Background:

1515A will survey the waters around the Small Isles Marine Protected Area (MPA). It is the primary objective to survey monitoring sites previously surveyed in 2012, 2013 and 2014 that support Scotland’s Priority Marine Features (PMFs). 1515A will extend survey activities to possible control areas outside the MPA. 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 control sites in the area surrounding the Small Isles that provide suitable substrate for the tall sea pen, Funiculina quadrangularis. Data from both work streams will contribute to a potential impact (BACI) study once protective measures within the MPA are introduced. Potential surveys boxes are shown in Figure 1. Plankton tows within the Sound of Canna will also be conducted, targeting the larvae of the fan mussel,  Atrina fragilis (Figure 2).

Objectives:

1. To survey known populations of priority marine feature (PMF) species within and outside the Small Isles MPA.
2. To conduct further assessments of Funiculina quadrangularis abundance within the Smalls Isles MPA and areas outside.
3. To assess the extent and density of Atrina fragilis aggregations within the Sound of Canna.
4. To conduct larval tows using the large dual bongo net within the Sound of Canna and nearby waters.
5. To survey areas outside the Sound of Canna that may provide suitable habitat for further Atrina fragilis aggregations.
6. If time/weather allows, to conduct exploratory surveys in areas outside the SMI MPA that may provide suitable controls for hard substrate PMF aggregations (i.e. Leptometra celtica, Parazoanthus anguicomis and Swiftia pallida.

Benthic survey:

UW TV surveys of the seabed at various sites inside and outside the Small Isles MPA will be carried out during 1515A. The survey will utilise the HD drop camera system (using the large drop frame and, later, the pyramid frame) deployed from the aft of the vessel. Species type, species densities and substrate type (assessed visually) will be classified for each video transect post-survey. RoxAnn sediment data will also be collected at each site.

Larval dispersal:

1515A will sample plankton from the water around Canna (Figure 2). This programme of work will target the larvae of the fan mussel, Atrina fragilis, and follows on from plankton surveys conducted in June 2012 (survey 1012A), September 2013 (1213A) and September 2014 (1714A). Sampling will be conducted using the large (1 m diameter) dual bongo net. Dual samples will be stored separately in isopropanol and ethanol.