Marine

MRV Alba na Mara Survey 2116A programme

November 28, 2016 by Marine Directorate Communications No Comments | Category Marine Directorate general, Marine Directorate Science, Marine Directorate Surveys, Research Vessel Surveys

Duration: 17-30 November 2016

Gear: Surface and subsurface PAM moorings

Objectives:

To retrieve a series of moorings comprising dhan buoys (seven surface marked moorings) or acoustic release systems (23 subsurface moorings) and the acoustic recording devices attached to them (30 C-POD and 10 SM2M/SM3M) as part of the east coast marine mammal monitoring programme (see Table 1 and Figure 1).

Procedure:

Alba na Mara will sail from Fraserburgh on the morning of 17 November and make for the first mooring position. The ultimate order in which the moorings are retrieved will be decided in conjunction with the vessel master, but will be dictated by the weather forecast and the likely shelter that can be provided by the east coast.

Acoustically triggered moorings that may have malfunctioned but can be located by echosounder will be grappled for using the creeping hook attached to the trawl warp.

It may be necessary for Alba na Mara to make a partial unloading of retrieved moorings to ensure enough available space on the vessel. If this is the case the vessel will visit the most suitable port depending on her location at the time.

Additional range testing of acoustic salmon receivers will be carried out using a small hydrophone system and a tag in Aberdeen Bay.

Tags: Alba na Mara, East Coast Marine Mammal Monitoring Programme, mooring

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