Marine

MRV Alba na Mara: Survey 1815A Programme

November 18, 2015 by Marine Directorate Communications No Comments | Category Collaborations, Compliance, Marine Directorate general, Marine Directorate Science, Marine Litter, Research Vessel Surveys

Duration: 26 November – 1 December 2015

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; and
• Bongo net.

Objectives:

1.  To undertake flatfish sampling in St Andrews Bay, and Forth estuary in support of the Clean Seas Environment Monitoring Programme (OSPAR and MSFD).
2. To undertake 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).
3. To undertake sample preparation for subsequent eco-toxicological analyses.
4. To undertake survey of sea-surface litter in surface waters of the Scottish east coast.
5. Adventitious sampling of fish and shellfish for micro-plastics.
6. At two sites in the Forth estuary and Firth of Forth, to  sample sediments, benthic infauna, benthic epifauna, demersal fish, phytoplankton and zooplankton in support of PhD project on trophic transfer of contaminants.

Procedure:

Fishing and scientific gear will be loaded in Leith prior to Alba na Mara sailing on 26 November. Flounder and five sediment stations will be sampled in St Andrews Bay and in the Forth estuary (Tancred bank), five sediment stations will be sampled in the outer Firth of Forth. The neuston manta trawl will be deployed in the Forth estuary, the Firth of Forth, and off the east coasts of Fife and East Lothian. 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. In the Forth estuary and the Firth of Forth additional sediment grabs will be collected for benthic invertebrates. Crabs and other epibenthos will be adventitiously sampled from Tancred bank beam trawls; additional fishing will be undertaken to collect dab and invertebrates (Nephrops, crabs, etc.) as may be found in the Firth of Forth. Six bongo net hauls will be undertaken in the Forth estuary and six in the Firth of Forth in order to obtain plankton samples.

Tables 1, 2 and 3 list the sediment, fishing and sea surface litter survey sites, respectively.

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

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