Marine

Twinkle twinkle little starfish

April 12, 2018 by Marine Scotland Communications No Comments | Category Fisheries, Marine Directorate Science, Research Vessel Surveys

Survey: 0518A

Duration: 14 April – 2 May 2018

Gear: Scallop dredges

Objectives

1. To carry out a survey of scallop stocks on the West Coast.
2. To age, measure and assess shell damage on all scallops caught.
3. To Identify and sample additional areas of commercial interest to the scallop fishery.
4. To collect information on by-catch of other commercial fish and shellfish species.
5. To identify, quantify numbers, and damage assess of starfish species in all dredge tows.
6. To collect frozen whole scallops for heavy metal testing as part of the OSPAR assessment of hazardous substances in the marine environment.
7. To undertake underwater filming trials using a Go-pro camera in sheltered areas.

The survey will depart on 14 April and will make passage for the west coast stations on the survey plan.

Scallop dredge hauls will be made at sites used on previous surveys as shown on the map below. Hauls will be of 30 minutes duration. In addition to the historical tows, additional tows will be done in the Clyde if time permits. From each haul, all of the scallops will be measured to the half centimeter below and aged. Numbers and size distribution of commercial fish and shellfish species will be recorded along with scallop shell damage, starfish numbers and species. Tissue samples will also be collected from selected sites and frozen for heavy metal analysis back at the laboratory.

Further Information:

• Other Research Vessel Survey blogs
• Research Vessel information

Tags: Alba na Mara, scallops, starfish

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