Marine

Surveying Scotland’s Priority Marine Features

September 15, 2017 by Marine Scotland Communications No Comments | Category Marine Directorate Science, Marine Directorate Surveys, Research Vessel Surveys

Figure 1: 2017 survey areas – Small Isles MPA UWTV Survey Boxes

Duration: 21 September – 10 October 2017

Gear

• New drop/lander frame + calibration mesh
• HD TV system + lights
• Armoured cable + spare + axle stands
• Stereo TV system 

Background and Objectives

1617A will survey the waters around the Small Isles Marine Protected Area (MPA). The primary objective of this survey is to survey monitoring sites previously visited in 2012-2016 that support Scotland’s Priority Marine Features (PMFs). Work from these surveys will be used to determine the effect of MPAs established in Scottish waters. A secondary objective is that the data will contribute to a potential impact (BACI) study once protective measures within the MPA are introduced. If weather permits, after the half landing a further study of sites in and around the South Arran MPA will be conducted to survey monitoring sites previously visited in 2015 and 2016. Specific objectives are as follows:

1. To conduct further assessments of Funiculina quadrangularis abundance within the Small Isles MPA and areas outside.
2. To further survey known populations of other priority marine feature (PMF) species within and outside the Small Isles MPA.
3. To conduct further assessments of PMF abundance within the South Arran MPA and areas outside.

Benthic Survey

UW HDTV surveys of the seabed at various sites inside and outside the Small Isles MPA (Figure 1) and the South Arran MPA (Figure 2) will be carried out. The survey will utilise the newly built modular camera frame (combined drop and lander frame – 2460 × 1900 × 1940 mm, L × W × H) 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.

Figure 2: 2017 survey areas: South Arran MPA UWTV Survey Boxes.

Further Information

• Marine Scotland research vessels and surveys
• Other research vessel survey blogs

Tags: MPA, research, South Arran, Survey, TV

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